Fatehpur Sikri : Wonder of Red Stones
Fatehpur Sikri was build during 1571 and 1585. 37 kms from
Agra faithful Sikri is a city predominantly in Red Sandstone and is
called Fatehpur Sikri. It was planned as a great town by Akbar with
great care and planning in the honor of Sheikh Salim Chisti but had
to be abandon only after fifteen years due to scarcity of water in
the town.
The town was otiginally named Sikri after the village, where it was
founded but its twin city Fatehpur (Victory Town) was erected to
celebrate Akbar's conquest of Gujarat in June 1573. The two mosques
in the village of Sikri have inscriptions, which announce their
conception in 1314 under Mohd. Khilji.
Fatehpur Sikri is one of the finest examples of Mughal architectural
splendor at its height. Fatehpur Sikri is the best example of the
culmination of Hindu and Muslim architecture.
Though the city is in ruins, it is a place to visit if one comes to
Agra. However, in real terms Fatehpur Sikri is a place where one
should spend some time. The sunset over the ruins is sight to
cherish. After this within 20 years, the capital of Mughals was
shift to Lahore.
Prime Tourist Attractions in Fatehpur Sikri
Diwan-I-Am (Hall of Public Audience)
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-khaas
To the right is an apparently looking two storeyed building, with
corner kiosks, known as diwan-khana-I-khaas or Hall Of Private
Audience. On entering it, one finds only a single vaulted chamber.
In the centre stands a profusely carved column supporting a collosal-bracketed
capital. Four narrow causeways project from the centre and run to
each corner of the chamber. It is believed that Akbar’s throne
occupied the circular space over the capital and the corners were
assigned to the four ministers.
Turkish Sultana’s House
To the left of the Pachisi Board is the Turkish Sultana’s house. The
house, as its location at the corner of Anup Talao shows, was a
pavilion for repose, attached to the pool. The geometrical pattern
on the ceiling is reminiscent of Central Asian carvings in wood.
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.
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 atyles of
srchitecture.
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.
The Jami Masjid
One of the largest mosques in India, Jami Masjid was built in 1571
AD. Inside, there is a vast congregational coutyard. To the right,
at the corner, is the Jammat Khana Hall and next ot 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 Fateh Pur Sikri. It
is entered through the eastern entrance known as the Buland Darwaza.
Diwan-I-Am (Hall of Public Audience)
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.
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