About Fatehpur Sikri
Built during the second half of
the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was
the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years. The complex of
monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style, includes one of the
largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid.
History and significance
The name of the place came after
Mughal Emperor Babur defeated Rana Sanga in a battle at a place called Khanwa
(about 40 KM from Agra). Then Mughal Emperor Akbar wanted to make Fatehpur Sikri
his headquarters. So he built this majestic fort. But due to shortage of water
he had to ultimately move his headquarters to Agra Fort.
Akbar had no child. After the blessing of Sufi Saint Salim Chisti he was blessed
with a male child who became the heir to his throne, he was named Salim (after
the name of Sufi Saint Salim) who later become Emperor Jahangir. The tomb "Salim
Chisti Ka Mazar" was built in honour of Sufi saint Salim Chishti in 1571 by
Mughal emperor Akbar. Earlier it was built with red sand stone but later
converted into beautiful marble mauseleum. This was built much later the
Fatehpur Sikri Fort was built by Akbar.
It is regarded as Emperor Akbar's crowning architectural legacy. Indeed, its
numerous palaces, halls, and masjids satisfy his creative and aesthetic
impulses, typical of Mughals.
Important Buildings In Fatehpur Sikri
The buildings of
Fatehpur Sikri show a synthesis of various regional schools of architectural
craftsmanship such as Gujarati and Bengali. This was because indigenous
craftsmen from various regions were used for the construction of the buildings.
Influences from Hindu and Jain architecture are seen hand in hand with Islamic
elements. The building material predominantly used is red sandstone, quarried
from the same rocky outcrop on which it is situated.
Some of the important buildings in this city, both religious and secular
buildings, are:
Buland Darwaza - The 'Gate of Magnificence': one of the gateways to the
Jami masjid, a stupendous piece of architecture from the outside, gradually
making a transition to a human scale in the inside.
Tomb of Salim Chisti - a white marble encased tomb within the Jama
mosque's courtyard.
Naubat Khana – Drum house: near the entry, where important arrivals are
announced.
Diwan-e-Aam – Hall of Public Audience: a building typology found in many
Mughal cities where the ruler meets the general public. In this case it is a
pavilion like multi-bayed rectangular structure fronting a large open space.
Diwan-e-Khaas – Hall of Private Audience: famous for its central pillar
with thirty-six voluted brackets supporting a circular platform for Akbar.
Raja Birbal's house - the house of Akbar's favourite minister, who
was a Hindu. Notable features of the building are the horizontal sloping
sunshades or chajjas and the brackets which support them.
Mariam-uz-Zamani's palace - The building shows Gujarati influence
and is built around a courtyard, with special care being taken to ensure
privacy.
Pachisi Court - a square marked out as a large sized board game
(modern day Ludo) where live coins- people- participated.
Char Chaman Tank - a tank with a central platform and four bridges
leading up to it.
Panch Mahal - A five-storied palatial structure. The bottom floor
has 176 intricately carved columns.
Jama Masjid - the mosque, built in the manner of Indian mosques,
with liwans (aisles) around a central courtyard. A distinguishing feature is the
row of chhatris (small domed pavilions) over the sanctuary.
The five-storey Panch Mahal - a five story building constructed on 276
pillars which gives a spectacular view of whole monument complex.
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