The Buland Darwaza is designed in coloured sandstone and marble. On oneside is a deep well where children today make a quick buck from the tourists with their exhibitionist dives. The Buland Darwaza leads into the grand Jama Masjid of Fatehpur Sikri, which stands at the southwestern end of the royal city complex. A high wall with gateways on three sides opens into a huge courtyard, 111 by 139 metres, making it one of the largest of its kind in the Mughal kingdom.
The inner walls are lined with colonnades and cloisters (unfortunately partly inhabited by persistent shopkeepers) and the western facade has a massive arched doorway behind which are three (stunted) domes. A row of little kiosks stand like domed sentries along the boundary wall, guarding the pearl tomb of Salim Chisti within the courtyard. The Tomb of Shaikh Salim was originally built in red sandstone but is now entirely faced with marble, a later addition. The tombstone within is covered by cloth and lies under a canopy of ebony, mother of pearl, and brass.