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Location
: Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Build By : Akbar
Built in : 1571 - 1585
 37
kms from Agra is built a city predominantly in Red
Sandstone and is called Fatehpur Sikri. This town was
built by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. He had planned this
city as his capital but shortage of water compelled him
to abandon the city. After this within 20 years, the
capital of Mughals was shifted to Lahore.
Fatehpur Sikri was built during 1571 and 1585. Today
this city has a population of about 30,000. This
deserted city has retained many of the old structures,
because of the efforts of the Archaeological department
.
Fatehpur Sikri is one of the finest examples of Mughal
architectural splendour at its height. Though the city
is in ruins, it is a place to visit if one comes to
Agra. But in real terms Fatehpur Sikri is a place where
one should spend some time. The sunset over the ruins is
sight to cherish.
Fatehpur Sikri is the best example of the culmination of
Hindu and Muslim architecture. Fatehpur Sikri Mosque is
said to be a copy of the mosque in Mecca and has
designs, derived from the Persian & Hindu
architecture.
Prime Attractions of Fatehpur Sikri
Diwan-I-Am
The journey to the royal palace begins with Diwan-I-Am
or the Hall Of Public Audience. This hall was also used
for celebrations and public prayers. It has cloisters on
three sides of a rectangular courtyard. To the west is a
pavilion with the Emperor’s throne. Beautiful jali
screen on either sides separated the ladies attending
the court. 
Diwan-khana-I-khas
To the right is an apparently looking two storeyed
building, with corner kiosks, known as
diwan-khana-I-khas or Hall of Private Audience. On
entering into it, one finds only a single vaulted chamber. In
the center stands a profusely carved column supporting a collosal-bracketed
capital. Four narrow causeways project from the centre run to
the each corner of the
chamber. It is believed that Akbar’s throne occupied the
circular space over the capital.
Turkish Sultana’s House
To the left of the Pachisi Board,the Anup Talao
Pavilion,also known as the House of the Turkish
Sultana. With balconies and kashmiri-style woodcarvings
,this exquisite building betrays Persian ,Turkish and
even Chinese influences, may have been a hammam(bath) or
pleasure pavilion. The geometrical pattern on the
ceiling is reminiscent of Central Asian carvings in
wood.
The Treasury
To the left of the Diwan-I-Khas is the Treasury or Ankh
Michauli, once believed to have been used for playing
the game, comprising three rooms each protected by a
narrow corridor which were manned by guards.
 Daulat
khana-I-khas
Located in the corner to the left is the emperor’s
private chamber. It has two main rooms on the ground
floor. One housed Akbar’s library while the larger
room was his resting area. On the first floor is the
Khwabgah or the bed-chamber. It was connected with the
Turkish Sultana’s house, the Panch Mahal, Mariam’s
House and the Jodha Bai’s palace by corridors.
Palace of Jodha Bai
To the left of the Sunehra Makan is the largest and the
most important building in the royal palace, named after
Akbar’s Rajput wife, Jodha Bai. This spacious palace
was assured of privacy and security by high walls and a
9 metre guarded gate to the east. The architecture is a
blend of styles with Hindu columns and Muslim cupolas.
Hawa Mahal And Nagina Masjid
To the right of Jodha Bai’s palace is Hawa Mahal,
the Palace of Winds. This small-screened wind tower
faces the garden and is attached to the palace. The
garden is laid out in the Char Bagh style with straight
walls intersecting at right angles and divided by
shallow channels.
Birbal’s Palace
To the north west of the Jodha Bai’s Palace is the
2 storeyed palace occupied by Akbar’s two senior
queens- ruqnayya begum and salima sultan begum. It has
two storeys-four rooms and two porches with pyramidical
roofs below and two rooms with cupolas and screened
terraces above. The building combines hindu and muslim
styles of architecture.
Sunehra Makan
Opposite to the Diwan-I-Khas is the palace of Akbar’s
Rajput wife, Mariam-Uz-Zamani. This two-storeyed
building is richly adorned by gold murals in Persian
style. The beams have inscriptions of verses by
Akbar’s brother, Faizi.
Panch Mahal
To the right of Sunehra Makan is the elegant, airy 5
storeyed pavilion, the Panch Mahal. Each floor over here
is smaller than the one below and it rises to a single
domed kiosk on top supported by four columns providing a
magnificent view of the city and its environs.
Dargah Of Sheikh Salim Chishti
To the North of the Mosque is the Dargah of Sheikh
Salim Chishti. This Dargah was built in 1570. Here,
childless women come for blessings of the saint. Even
Akbar was blessed with three sons, when he came here.
The lattice work in the Dargah is among the finest to be
found any where in India.
The Jami Masjid
One of the largest mosques in India, Jami Masjid was
built in 1571 AD. Inside, there is a vast congregational
courtyard. To the right, at the corner, is the Jammat
Khana Hall and next to this is the tomb of the royal
ladies. To the left of the Jami Masjid is the Stone
Cutters’ mosque, the oldest place of worship at Fatehpur Sikri. It is entered through the eastern entrance
known as the Buland Darwaza.
Buland Darwaza
This gate can be approached from the outside by a
13-metre flight of steps which adds to its grandeur. The
gate erected in 1602 AD to commemorate Akbar’s victory
over Deccan is the highest and grandest gateway in India
and ranks among the biggest in the world. |
