Fatehpur Sikri as such is a city and a municipal board in Agra district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The Historical city of Fatehpur Sikri was constructed by Mughal emperor Akbar. It served as the capital from 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned for reasons that remain unclear. Present time, surviving palace and mosque are a tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Being a World Heritage Site, some contemporary Indian architects, notably B. V. Doshi, have cited it as an important source of inspiration. Architect or layperson, this city generally captures the imagination and wonder of all who experience its urban spaces and see its buildings. Charles and Ray Eames cited Fatehpur Sikri in the landmark ‘India Report’ that led to the conception of the National Institute of Design, India‘s premiere design school.
Fatehpur Sikri 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. Fatehpur Sikri shared its imperial duties as a capital city with Agra, where a bulk of the arsenal, treasure hoards, and other reserves were kept at its Red Fort for security. During a crisis, the court, harem, and treasury could be removed to Agra, only 26 miles away, less than a day’s march.
Important buildings of 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, are:* Anup Talao: A tank with a central platform and four bridges leading up to it.* Buland Darwaza (Gate of Magnificence): One of the gateways to the Jama Masjid, a stupendous piece of architecture from the outside, gradually making a transition to a human scale in the inside.
* Diwan-i-Am (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-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience): Famous for its central pillar with thirty-six voluted brackets supporting a circular platform for Akbar. It is here that Akbar had representatives of different religions discuss their faiths.
* Hujra-i-Anup Talao (Small Chamber of Anup Talao): Said to be the residence of Akbar’s Muslim wife, although this is disputed due to its small size.
* Jama Masjid (Grand Mosque): 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.
* Mariam-uz-Zamani’s Palace: The building of Akbar’s wife shows Gujarati influence and is built around a courtyard, with special care being taken to ensure privacy.
* Naubat Khana (Drum House): Near the entry, where important arrivals are announced.
* Pachisi Court: A square marked out as a large sized board game (modern day Ludo) where live coins- people- participated.
* Panch Mahal: A five-storied palatial structure. The bottom floor has 176 intricately carved columns.
* Raja Birbal’s House: The house of Akbar’s favorite minister, who was a Hindu. Notable features of the building are the horizontal sloping sunshades or chajjas and the brackets which support them.
* Sunahra Maken: The residence of Akbar’s Christian wife.
* Tomb of Salim Chisti: A white marble encased tomb within the Jama Masjid’s courtyard.
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