| Inside
The Walled City - Fatehpur Sikri
Among other important
buildings within this walled city of Fartehpur Sikri
are the tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti, the Sufi Fakir
who is said to have granted Akbar and his queen Jodhabai
their wish for a son; 'Naubat'-or 'Naqqar Khana' (drum-house),
'Taksal' (mint), 'Karkhanas' (royal workshop), 'Khazana'
(treasury), Hakim's quarters, Diwan-i-Am (hall of public
audience), House of Maryam also called "Sunahra
Makan" (Golden House), Palace of Jodh Bai, Birbal's
house, etc. Fatehpursikri,
however remained capital for only a short period for
it had to be abandoned due to shortage of water. Still,
the major reason why visitors from all over the world
throng this Mughal citadel when they come to Agra are
the historical and architectural marvels situated within
it. Fatehpur Sikri is unique, architecturally intriguing,
the architectural grandeur of Fatehpur Sikri cannot
be described in words and one can only experience the
aura of its magnificent edifices by seeing them.
Attractions Within Fatehpur Sikri Fatehpur
Sikri is one of the finest examples of Mughal architectural
splendour at its height. Though the city is in ruins,
it is a place to visit if one comes to Agra. But in
real terms Fatehpur Sikri is a place where one should
spend some time. The sunset over the ruins is sight
to cherish. Fatehpur Sikri is the best example of the
culmination of Hindu and Muslim architecture.
Panch Mahal
Panch
Mahal, is the tallest tower in the palace complex. The
pitched roof in the center demonstrates Christian architectural
influence among the Persian (Islamic), Buddhist, Hindu,
and Jain elements. This synthesis of architectural influences
representing various religions is a reflection of Akbar's
desire to create a syncretic religion, called "Din-i-Ilahi",
literally meaning, "the Divine Faith", that
brought together all the religions of his subjects.
Probably Akbar's interest in this pursuit was inspired
by his Sufi advisor and teacher, Shaikh Salim Chishti,
around whose abode this magnificent city was built.
Jami Masjid
Jami
masjid is the most sacred building in the Fateh Pur
Sikri town and hence it is located on the highest point
of the ridge, over which the town is intended. It is
one of the largest and most ornately finished mosques
in the world. The magnificent Buland Darwaja and the
splendid courtyard with elegant Tomb of Sheikh Salim
Chishti adorn this vastest mosque. The mosque was completed
in the year 1571 under the supervision of Sheikh Salim
and his desendents. Since it is the principal mosque
of the town, it is called Jami Mosque or the Friday
Mosque, which means congregational mosque.
The Buland Darwaza
This
monumental gateway is the integral part of the mosque
and is the main entrance to the mosque, facing south.
The Persian inscription on the eastern side of the main
archway records that Akbar built this gateway to commemorate
his conquest over Deccan in 1601A.D.and hence it is
south oriented (facing Deccan). This gateway not only
commemorates Akbar's conquest over Deccan but it also
represents the greatness and grandeur of Akbar's empire.
  
Ablution Tank
This
tank stands near the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti. It
is a built up of red sand stone and is 8.68m sq. in
area and 1.22m deep. These kinds of tanks are essential
in every Jami Mosque, as ablutions are required before
prayer. This tank is connected to the other water sources
through underground pipes.
Badshahi Darwaja
The
eastern gateway of the great mosque facing Agra is called
Badshahi Darwaja; "The Royal Door" .The gateway
is called so, because Akbar used it while coming from
palace to join the congregational prayer. The gateway
is a part of mosque wall .It is projecting out of mosque
wall in the form of a half hexagonal porch or main entrance.
Tomb
Of Sheikh Salim Chishti
Tomb
of Sheikh Salim Chishti is one of the finest example
of marble work in India. Infact there is no comparison
of its lyrical and captivating beauty. It is situated
in the quadrangle of Jami Masjid adjacent to the "Zanana
Rauza" on the northern side, facing Buland Darwaja.
Originally this was the place where Sheikh Salim Chishti
carried out his religious discourses. According to Islamic
traditions Sufis are buried at the spot where they led
their austere life, therefore this site was the obvious
choice for making his sepulcher. This mausoleum was
completed in the year 1580-81.
Jamat Khana
On
the eastern side of Salim Chishti Tomb is located a
beautiful red sand stone building enclosed by perforated
screens and popularly known as Jamat Khana. As the name
suggests the building was used as an assembly hall where
the most distinguished disciples of Sheikh Salim Chishti
used to pray and carried out their religious and devotional
practices. All religious functions and gathering held
in this hall were organized by Sheikh Haji Hussain.
He was died in 1591A.D. and was buried in the south
west corner of the building. After that Jamat Khana
was converted in to the tomb of Sheikh's followers.
Presently there are 24 graves lies in this building.
Most of them are without the name of the deceased though
some carries Quranic inscription. Men's gravestone contains
a Pen Box or a turban and female's grave contains a
flat board with a handle called "Takhti".
Zanana Rauza
Zanana
Rauza or "Women's Tomb" is a dark suite of
room containing graves of women's of Sheikh Salim's
family. The building is actually a part of northern
cloister of the Jami Mosque. The northern wall of the
building contains an under ground doorway connected
to Salim Chishti's house so that women of Sheikh Salim's
family could visit him during his religious discourses.
Later on this building was converted into women's graveyard.
At present there are two oblong chambers parallel to
the wall of the mosque, which are further divided in
to two chambers. Stone screens, containing geometrical
patterns, again subdivide the outer chamber. This chamber
contains grave of "Bibi Mattu Lanbiri" and
other uninscribed graves.
The
Birka (Cistern)
The
Birka is like a small well located near the prayer chamber
of Jami Mosque. This was a great rain water cistern
and was constructed by walling up some vaults below
the quadrangle, and provided with the flight of steps.
Emperor Jehangir mentions in his memoirs that this cistern
was built to conserve rain water, as there was scanty
of normal water supply in Fateh Pur Sikri.Jehangir called
it Birkat which means reservoir or pond. This cistern
was originally connected to the other water works through
under ground pipes. Presently this cistern collects
rain water from Sheikh Salim's tomb and other adjacent
buildings.
Other
places to see in Fatehpur Sikri are the Birbal Bhawan,
Karawan Sarai & Hiran Minar, Palace of Christian
Wife, Palace of Jodha Bai, the Treasury, Diwan -i-Khas,
and Diwan-i-am. |
