Fatehpur Sikri- An Architectural Marvel

Fatehpur Sikri

KANISHKA JAIN A1904018038

INTRODUCTION NAME: FATEHPUR SIKRI (THE CITY OF VICTORY) LOCATION: AGRA DISTRICT,UTTAR PRADESH,INDIA FOUNDED IN:1569 SERVED AS CAPITAL FROM:1570-1585 ABANDONED IN:1610 COMMISSIONED BY: EMPEROR AKBAR(MUGHAL EMPEROR) TYPOLOGY PAST: FORTIFIED CITY( CAPITAL) PRESENT:TOURIST ATTRACTION • ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: INDO-ISLAMIC STYLE • MATERIAL USED: RED SANDSTONE • • • • • • •

HISTORIC FACTS • First planned city in India by Mughals.

• Considered as crowning architectural legacy of Mughal emperor Akbar.

• Name is self defining its importance i.e. Fateh means Victory and Sikri is deprived from the village that existed there before construction."The City of Victory" • Fortified city with 6 km long defensive walls on three side,and forth side bordered on an artificial river.

• Eight gates serve as entryways to the city, including the Delhi gate,the Agra gate,the Lal gate, the gwalior gate, the Ajmeri gate,among others.

• contains some most important and famous structures; the Jama Masjid(still functional),tomb of saint Salim Chasti,the Buland Darwaza and the Panch Mahal.

• Planning and construction was influenced by Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi).

• City was abandoned due to two main reason– lack of water and unrest in northwestern part of the country.

• The city is organized into the shape of a rhombus. The architecture of Fatehpur Sikri was designed on Tirmurid forms and styles. Some gujrati touch is also seen in the architecture of Sikri.

• Influences from Hindu and Jain architecture were seen hand in hand with Islamic architecture.

• the building material used in all the building in locally quarried red sandstone also known as "sikri-sandstone".

• The spaces are structured with the help of rectilinear geometry, oriented to the cardinal directions.

• Pavilions, porches and verandas around some of the structures add another dimension to the experience of transition. At places, the transition is accentuated by a change of level.

• The super-structure is a combination of the traditional post-and-lintel system and arches and ribbed vaults of Buddhist origin.

Site Plan

Plan showing the major attraction of the Fatehpur Sikri

Plan of Sacred Complex 4

5 1

3

2

1.Badshahi Darwaza 2.Buland Darwaza 3.Jama Masjid 4.Tomb of Salim Chisti 5.Islam Khan Mausoleum

Plan of Royal Complex

11 9 15 7

12

8

6 16 17 3

4

13

5

2 10

1 14

1. Administration and Archives 2. Jodha Bai Palace 3. Birbal's House 4. Anup Talao 5. Maryam's Garden 6. Panch Mahal 7. Panchisi Court 8. Diwan-I-Aam 9. Diwan-I-Khas 10.Stables 11.Emperor's Study 12.Garden 13.Entrances for Public 14.Entrance for Imperial family 15.Hospital 16.House of Turkish sultana 17.Maryam's House

FATEHPUR SIKRI COMPLEX • BULAND DARWAZA OR THE GATE OF VICTORY, THE MAIN GATEWAY TO THE PALACE AT FATEHPUR SIKRI

• JAMA MASJID, A CONGREGATIONAL MOSQUE AND ONE OF THE FIRST MONUMENTS BUILT IN THE CITY • TOMB OF SALIM CHISHTI, THE BURIAL SPOT OF THE SUFI SAINT SHEIKH SALIM CHISHTI WHO PREDICTED THE BIRTH OF AN HEIR TO AKBAR • DIWAN-I-AAM OR HALL OF PUBLIC AUDIENCE, THE PLACE WHERE THE EMPEROR USED TO MEET THE GENERAL PUBLIC • DIWAN-I-KHAS OR HALL OF PRIVATE AUDIENCE, WHERE THE EMPEROR

CONDUCTED DISCUSSIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS RELIGIONS AND FAITHS • IBADAT KHANA, A DEBATING HOUSE • ANUP TALAO, AN ORNAMENTAL WATER BODY WHERE THE MUSICAL LEGEND TANSEN USED TO PERFORM • PANCH MAHAL, A FIVE-STORY PALACE

Buland Darwaza

Diwan-IAam

Jama Masjid

Ibadat Khana

Tomb of Salim Chisti

Anup Talao

Diwan-I-Khas

Panch Mahal

• AKBAR’S RESIDENCE • HUJRA-I-ANUP TALAO, BELIEVED TO BE THE RESIDENCE OF AKBAR’S MUSLIM

WIFE • JODHABAI’S PALACE OR MARIAM-UZ-ZAMANI’S PALACE, THE RESIDENCE OF AKBAR’S RAJPUT WIFE, JODHABAI • NAUBAT KHANA OR NAQQAR KHANA, A DRUM HOUSE FROM WHERE DRUMS WERE USED TO ANNOUNCE THE EMPEROR’S ARRIVAL • BIRBAL’S HOUSE, HOUSE OF THE FAVORITE MINISTER OF AKBAR • HIRAN MINAR OR ELEPHANT TOWER

• KARKHANA OR THE ROYAL WORKSHOP • KHAZANA OR TREASURY • HAMMAM OR TURKISH BATHS • DAFTAR KHANA, THE RECORD ROOM OF AKBAR • PACHISI COURT, A SQUARE DESIGNED LIKE A BOARD GAME WHERE AKBAR USED TO PLAY THE GAME OF PACHISI (SIMILAR TO LUDO) USING REAL PEOPLE AS PLAYING PIECES

Hujra-I-Anup Talao

Birbal's House

JodhaBai Palace

Pachisi Court

Naubat Khana

Hammam

Tomb of Salim Chisti TOMB OF SHAIKH SALIM CHISTI BUILT IN WHITE MARBLE STANDING ON SQUARE MARBLE PLATFORM, THE TOMB-CHAMBER IS SURROUNDED BY A VERANDAH CLOSED BY ELEGANT MARBLE SCREENS EXECUTED IN EXTREMELY RICH AND DELICATE GEOMETRICAL PATTERN, WHILE ITS DEEP CORNICE IS SUPPORTED ON SERPENTINE BRACKETS OF RATE DESIGN AND EXCELLENT CARVING REMINISCENT OF THE BRACKETS IN THE SHAHZADI'S TOMB, AT CHANDERI, BUT HERE

THEY ARE MUCH FINER.

Front Elevation

Verandah with jali pattern

Serpentine Bracket

Buland Darwaza

Buland Darwaza is the highest gateway in the world and an excellent example of Mughal architecture in India, implying the victory of Emperor Akbar over Gujarat. It is made up of red sandstone, decorated with black and white marble. Symmetrical and topped by a large free standing kiosk, which are the chhatris. Total height of the structure from the ground is 54m,15storey high approached by 42 steps. Semi-octagonal plan, acts as southern entrance to the city.

View

Interior dome

Inlay work

Jama Masjid IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST MOSQUES IN THE COUNTRY.IT COVERS A RECTANGULAR AREA MEASURING 542’ X 438’, WITH A LARGE COURTYARD. THE SANCTUARY FAÇADE CONSISTS OF A LARGE RECTANGULAR FRONTON IN THE CENTRE CONTAINING A SPACIOUS ALCOVE, WITH A PILLARED ARCADE ON EACH SIDE TO FORM THE WINGS.THIS CENTRAL FEATURE RISES A LARGE DOME OVER THE CENTRAL NAVE AND SMALLER DOMES OVER THE WINGS. A RANGE OF PILLARED KIOSKS ALL ALONG THE ENTIRE PARAPET BREAKS THE SKYLINE.THE NAVE IS A SQUARE HALL ENTERED THROUGH THREE DOORWAYS IN THE ALCOVED FRONTON WHICH CONTAINS THE PRINCIPAL MIHRAB ON ITS WESTERN WALL AND IS COVERED BY THE MAIN DOME.THE AISLES ARE ACCESSED THROUGH ARCHWAYS FROM THE NAVE AND CORRESPOND TO THE ARCADED WINGS OF THE FAÇADE. IN THE CENTRE OF EACH OF THE AISLES IS A SMALL CHAPEL, COVERED BY ONE OF THE TWO SMALLER DOMES.THERE IS AN ADMIRABLE COMBINATION OF BEAMS AND ARCHES, THE TWO STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS IN A WELL MAINTAINED BALANCE.

Front Elevation

Interior

Diwan-I-Khas THOUGH OF MODERATE SIZE , IT IS REMARKABLE FOR THE UNUSUAL TREATMENT OF ITS INTERIOR, WHICH CONSISTS OF ONE SINGLE CHAMBER WITH OVERHANGING GALLERIES PROJECTING FROM THE SIDES, IN THE CENTER OF THE FLOOR IS SET UP AN EXQUISITELY CARVED SINGLE PILLAR OF SUBSTANTIAL SIZE , THE EXPANDING CAPITAL OF WHICH SUPPORTS A CIRCULAR STONE PLATFORM CONNECTION WITH GALLERIES AT THE FOUR CORNERS BY NARROW DIAGONAL PASSAGES.

Central Pillar

Exterior

Key Plan

Anup Talao

The Anup Talao is a magnificent, one-of-its kind water tank built in front of Akbar’s private quarters. It is situated in front of the Khwabgah complex and was the most impressive tanks of its times. The red sandstone structure has a beautiful platform and well-planned viewing and seating places around it. The structure is connected by mini causeways by all four sides. In the old days, it was specially connected to the main water system to ensure a regular flow of fresh water into it.

Panch Mahal

The Panch Mahal meaning `wind catcher tower’. This is one of the most important buildings in Fatehpur Sikri. This is an extraordinary structure employing the design elements of a Buddhist Temple; entirely columnar, consisting of four stories of decreasing size arranged asymmetrically on the ground floor, which contains 84 columns. These columns, that originally had jaali (screens) between them, support the whole structure. Once these screens provided purdah (cover) to queens and princess on the top terraces enjoying the cool breeze and watching splendid views of Sikri fortifications and the town nestling at the foot of the ridge.There are 176 columns in all and each is elegantly carved pillars with unique designs.

View

Interior

Opinion of Visitors Fatehpur Sikri is a favorite among travelers for its ornate and detailed Mughal architecture (Fatehpur Sikri is considered to be one of the best examples in the world). Visitors also enjoy being able to tour the magnificent grounds at a leisurely pace.

Rating from U.S. News(travel)

Rating from Tripadvisor

Values 1.Historic Reason: Emperor Akbar built this city. First planned Mughal city in India.Symbol of Emperor Akbar's victory over Gujarat.

2. Architectural Reason: City wholly made of red sandstone except Tomb of Salim Chisti. Every structure in the complex has its known specialty and intricate craving,motifs are all unique as they have touch of Hindu,Jain and Gujarat architectural style touch in them.

3. Archaeological Reason: City was found in 1569, which in almost 450 years ago.

4. Township and City Identity Reason: Fatehpur Sikri is a town in agra district and is well known by everyone.

5. Social/Culture Reason: Fatehpur Sikri have one of the largest Mosque in India and Tomb of Salim Chisti (one of the greatest sufi saint in Mughal empire). It has the highest gateway in the world.

6. Educational Reason: One of the greatest example to study Mughal style of architecture.

7. Functional Reason: Only sacred complex of Fatehpur Sikri complex is functional.

8. Economical Reason: One of favorite tourist spot in Agra.

9. Aesthetics Reason: being the best example to study Mughal architecture, Fatehpur Sikri's structure are all aesthetically pleasing structure while some structure with some more intricate work to make them more beautiful and pleasing to see.

Statement of Significance Fatehpur Sikri is a town located about 40 kilometres from Agra. It also served as the capital of the Mughal Empire for a short period of time (from 1572 to 1585). This ancient city known for its massive fortification was under the rule of Emperor Akbar. Fatehpur Sikri sits on rocky ridge, 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) in length and 1 km (0.62 mi) wide. It is a palace city that is built with a 6-kilometer on all three sides. The fourth side is bordered by an artificial lake. The city is generally organized around this 40 m high ridge, and falls roughly into the shape of a rhombus. The general layout of the ground structures, especially the "continuous and compact pattern of gardens and services and facilities" that characterized the city leads urban archaeologists to conclude that Fatehpur Sikri was built primarily to afford leisure and luxury to its famous residents. It had an efficient drainage and water management system.It is accessed through gates along the 5 miles (8.0 km) long fort wall, namely, Delhi Gate, the Lal Gate, the Agra Gate and Birbal's Gate, Chandanpal Gate, The Gwalior Gate, the Tehra Gate, the Chor Gate, and the Ajmeri Gate. The palace contains summer palace and winter palace for Queen Jodha.The complex of Fatehpur Sikri is divided into two parts- Sacred complex and Royal complex.

Sacred complex consists of Buland Darwaza (highest gateway in the world), Jama Masjid (one of the biggest mosque in the country) and Tomb of Salim Chisti(one of the greatest sufi saint in mughal empire). The sacred complex is still in use ,the Jama Masjid is used as friday mosque and is very important to people who follow Islam as religion.Royal complex consist of Diwan-I-Khas(hall of private audience), Jodhabai Palace, Anup Talao, Panch Mahal, Mariam Palace, Birbal's residence, Palace of Turkish Sultana,and other.

Made in red sandstone expect Tomb of Salim Chisti which is made of white marble.

Intricate craving, brackets , motifs, ornamentation ,carved pillars, Inlay work. Some elements used in the complex-pillars, arches, domes, chhatris, brackets, chhajjas, jharokhars, jalis, chhaparkhats, chaukhandis. The human Parcheesi board is one of the most unique element to experience. Akbar dictated this complex's planning with a mix of Persian-Indian architectural principles. It has a Indo-Islamic style, with influence of Hindu and Jain style .Craftsman from Gujarat and West Bengal make it more of a holistic new style. Fatehpur Sikri has a healthy combination of secular and religious buildings. Fatehpur Sikri were a testament to the regional influences in India.

Reference • • • • • • • • • • •

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/144522359.

Grover, Satish (1996). Islamic Architecture in India. South Asia Books. http://www.agraindia.org.uk/fatehpur-sikri.html http://architectboy.com/fatehpur-sikri-architecture https://travel.usnews.com/Agra_India/Things_To_Do/Fatehput_Sikri_62476 Fletcher, Sir Bannister; Cruickshank, Dan (1996). Sir Banister Fletcher's a History of Architecture. Architectural Press. https://www.slideshare.net https://everything-everywhere.com/unesco-world-heritage-site-305-fatehpur-sikri/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatehpur_Sikri https://www.nativeplanet.com/fatehpur-sikri

Thank You