Construction of a new Moghul capital at Fatehpur Sikri (City of Victory) began in 1571 after one of Akbar’s queens gave birth to a son, as predicted by a Sufi saint who lived near the village of Sikri–Salim Chisht. Fatehpur Sikri is today just 23 miles or about a 45-minute drive southwest of Agra. Unlike the fort at Agra which was built along a river, this walled city was built next to a lake, which it turned out tended to dry up in times of drought. Just 14 years after moving his capital to Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar moved his court first to Lahore and eventually back to Agra. It was a period of severe drought, but political factors probably played a larger role in the decision to move the capital. Once abandoned by Akbar, the Moghul capital never returned. That means it was never remodeled to meet another emperor’s tastes.
City Gate
At the Agra Gate, one of the gates in the 7-mile wall surrounding the city, we abandoned the car for a rickshaw. Note the crenellated wall. The rickshaw took us to the triple-arched gate (Naubat Khana) of the royal compound. Musicians sat atop the gate and played during imperial processions. (It’s hard to keep the camera level when riding in a rickshaw!)
Naubat Khana
Along the way we passed buildings in various states of repair.
The following diagram shows the major buildings still standing at the imperial core of the city. Almost all of the buildings were built of local red sandstone. Remember: the addition of marble to the fort at Agra didn’t occur until the next century.
Map of major buildings at Fatehpur Sikri
Like the royal complex at Agra, open pavilions of different designs were arranged around a sequence of courtyards. And, just like at Agra, there was a Diwan-i Am or Hall of Public Audience, a Diwan-i Khas or Hall of Private Audience, palaces for the emperor and his many wives, ornamental pools and gardens, and a small mosque. Most of the service buildings (kitchens, storehouses, laundries, workshops, stables, etc.) were located outside the palace walls.
The Diwan-i Am in this palace was a large courtyard (366 x 181 feet) with colonnades on three sides. The emperor’s throne was located in the following pavilion on the east side of the courtyard.
Diwan-i Am
The emperor’s Hall of Private Audience or Diwan-i Khas looks like a two-story building, but inside there is just one tall room.
Diwan-i Khas
Akbar sat in the middle of the hall on an intricately carved, elevated platform connected to the four corners of the room by walkways.
Akbar would have sat on the platform above my head
Here are some pictures to show the details of the stone carvers’ work.
Chevron-patterned Stone Carving
Stylized Flowers and Vines carved in base of column
From the courtyard behind the Diwan-i Khas, one can see the 70-foot-tall Hiran Minar or Deer Tower. The spiney, stone protrusions represent elephant tusks.
Hiran Minar
Near the Diwan-i Khas is a canopied platform where Akbar’s astrologer supposedly sat. The stone diagonal beams supporting the chhatri roof represent makaras–Hindu mythological sea monsters.
Makaras carved in stone
The five-story Panch Mahal was one of several structures composing the Imperial Harem.
Panch Mahal
In the center of the second courtyard (Daulat Khana) is the Anup Talao or Peerless Pool with a central platform connected by four bridges. The structure on the far side of the pool housed Akbar’s private chambers and the library. The women’s quarters were to the right.
Anup Talao and Akbar's Private Chambers
To my left stands what is called the Turkish Sultana’s Pavilion. The signboard states: “This elegant pavilion consists of a small chamber surrounded by a verandah supported on richly carved columns. Its exterior as well as interior has ornamental relief of geometric and floral designs in red sandstone which give the impression of Timser decoration. The ornamented shelves of the chamber are also remarkable for their attractive design and finish. … It was completed before 1575 when an important religious discussion is recorded to have taken place in this pavilion.”
Turkish Sultana's Pavilion
Some examples of the beautiful stone carving–
Fruit or flowers?
Flowers or Vines?
Stars and Geometric Designs
These niches looked as if the backs of them were covered with mirrors or perhaps some sort of reflective pigment.
Wall of Niches in Turkish Sultana's Pavilion
Most of the surfaces in Akbar’s private chambers are painted rather than carved.
Wall Painting in Akbar's Private Chambers
From his private quarters, Akbar could look out over the Anup Talao and see the Panch Mahal.
The View from Akbar's Private Chambers
The entrance to the Haram Sara or what is called the Jodh Bai Palace was through this eunuch-guarded gate.
Harem Entrance
Three palaces face the inner courtyard.
Palace facing Harem Courtyard
Palace Facade
Column Carvings, Haram Sara
Balconies and Niches
Interior Niche with Makara
As we left the imperial palace by rickshaw we passed the Jama Masjid or Imperial Mosque which was built around 1571 and designed to hold 10,000 worshipers.
Jama Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri