FATEHPUR SIKRI

REPORT-2

SUBMITTED BY:
ANKITA MAHAJAN
4-B
1. HISTORY:
Fatehpur Sikri, known for its architecture and planning, is located in Northern
India near Agra, was built by Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, in 1571, as his new
capital.
The major part of the complex was constructed in a short span of four to ten
years, using local building skills and materials.
Henceforth, the city of Red Sandstone buildings was established - the Fatehpur
Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri is said to be the look- alike of the mosque in Mecca and has designs,
taken from the Persia and Hindu architecture.
It was planned as the cultural, commercial and administrative centre of mughal
empire Fatehpur Sikri is built in red sandstone and is a beautiful blend of Hindu
and Islamic architectural elements.

2. PLANNING:

The Fatehpur Sikri complex stands on a ridge and the city is enclosed by an
embattlement on three sides and on the fourth by a vast artificial lake which was
the main source of water supply to the city.

The ridge is somewhat in the center of this walled area and runs from South-West
to North-East. All the major buildings of the complex are located on top of this
ridge , utilizing a comparatively flat terrain.
 The Royal Complex which occupies the crown of a linear ridge at Fatehpur Sikri is unique
for its open spaces and courtyards. Distinctly different from other Islamic complexes
which are usually axial in plan with buildings placed in gardens, the Sikri complex is a
sequential organisation of enclosed open spaces of different sizes and varying levels of
privacy.

Although there is no definite hierarchy, the sequence of well-modulated and interlinked

spaces is highly developed. One space leads to another, always providing a different
experience in scale and volume.

The main part of the complex, consisting of the royal residences, pavilions, halls and
meeting areas, occupies the central and comparatively flat part of the ridge.
Here the spaces are structured with the help of rectilinear geometry, oriented to the
cardinal directions. Jami Masjid, with its main prayer wall facing westwards towards
Mecca, is in the same geometric alignment as the Royal Complex.
 Some of the important buildings in this city, both religious and secular are:

A. Diwan-i-Am ( Hall of Public Audience ) : The place where the ruler meets the
general public. Diwan-i-Am is a typical feature of all the Mughal palaces. At one end of
the court is an elevated pavilion.The pierced stone screens are most noteworthy. Now
the open court is converted into a garden with lawn, where once stood the courtiers in
humility.

B. Diwan-i-Khas ( Hall of Private Audience ) : This is where Akbar met his ministers,
scholars and generals to discuss religious and courtly matters. Diwan-i-Khass (Jewel
House)

C. Ankh Michauli: people often attribute this building the game of hide and seek. And
even extended that to the level that Akbar played the hide and seek game with the
women of the harem! Most likely this is the vault house of the palace where valuables
were kept in the safe custody.

D. Khwabgha: On the first floor of the Diwan Khana-i- Khasswas the emperors private
room, known as khwabgah or sleeping chamber. After sitting in Diwan Khana-i-Khass
for several hours Akbar probably used to retire here for relaxation.

E. Anup Talao: Anup Talao or the peerless pool 29m square tank, now dry most of the
year. Anup Talao has a central island linked by four bridges to its sides.
F. The Turkish Sultanas House : The most elaborately carved building in Fatehpur Sikri.
Its often attributed to the Turkish wife of Akbar.

G. Pachisi Court : This is located at the very center of the main palace complex. On the
open floor are the markings of a board game called Pachisi , hence the name.

H. IMPERIAL HAREM: An enclosure where women of the royal household lived in

protected environs. It included the panch mahal, Jodh Bais palace, Maryams house
and birbals house. Each was connected with other by covered passages, and screened
off to the east from the Daulat khana.

I. Panch Mahal is an extraordinary structure, entirely columnar, consisting of four

storeys of decreasing size with a kiosk, disposed asymmetrically upon a ground floor
that contains 84 columns. The first storey contains 56 columns; the second 20; the
third 12; and the top storey is a single domed kiosk supported on four pillars.

J. Jodh Bas Palace : This is a large harem were the women of the palace lived.

K. Birbals House: Though it is named so, chances are unlikely that this was used by this
famous minister of Akbar. This is one of the most beautiful buildings within the palace
complex.

L. Jami Masjid or the Friday Mosque is one of the most beautiful and largest mosques of
the world. This elegant building is the most sacred building and the principal mosque
of the town and thus situated on the highest point of the ridge

M. Badshahi Darwaza or the Royal Door was reserved for emperor to join the
congregational prayer. It was situated on the eastern side of the mosque facing Agra
and was the main entrance to the mosque. Projecting out in the form of a half
hexagonal porch.

N. Buland Darwaza is the highest and grandest gateway in India and ranks among the
biggest in the world. It can be approached by a 13-metre flight of steps from outside,
which adds to its splendour. The gate was raised in 1602 AD to commemorate Akbars
victory over Deccan.