Fatehpur Sikri

Context: Fatehpur Sikri, a city built in 1569 AD has been made nearly 95% wheelchair accessible. 

About Fatehpur Sikri (Agra, Uttar Pradesh): 

Introduction:

• Between 1571 and 1585 AD, the Mughal emperor Akbar chose Fatehpur Sikri as the site for his capital, employing red sandstone in its construction.
• Fatehpur Sikri was abandoned in 1585 during a campaign in Punjab and completely deserted in 1610.
• Recognizing its historical significance as the Mughal Empire's capital and its remarkable architecture, Fatehpur Sikri was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

History: 

• The city derives its name from the pre-existing village of Sikri, and archaeological evidence indicates a settlement in the region dating back to the Painted Grey Ware period.
• An excavation conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 1999–2000 at Chabeli Tila revealed a rich history. The excavation yielded numerous Jain statues, some dating back a millennium, depicting Bhagwan Adi Nath, Bhagwan Rishabh Nath, Bhagwan Mahavir, and Jain Yakshinis. 
• Historian Syed Ali Nadeem Rezavi suggests that the area prospered under Sunga rule and later under Sikarwar Rajputs.
• The Sikarwar Rajputs, who controlled the region from the 7th to the 16th century, constructed a fortress that stood until the Battle of Khanwa in 1527.
  • The March 16, 1527, Battle of Khanwa marked a pivotal moment in Medieval Indian history as Babur's Timurid forces clashed with the Rajput Confederation led by Rana Sanga.
  • This significant battle, notable for introducing extensive gunpowder use in Northern India, concluded with a decisive victory for Babur, further solidifying the Mughal Empire's dominance in the northern regions.
  • Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire, called the place Shukri, after its large lake that was used by Mughal armies.
  • Babur constructed a garden here called the ‘Garden of Victory', after defeating Rana Sangha at its outskirts. 

• The construction of Khanqah of Sheikh Salim Chishti, (the saint who predicted the birth of Akbar’s son Jahangir) commenced after Jahangir’s birth in the village of Sikri in 1569. 
• This complex was eventually named Fatehpur Sikri, translating to the ‘City of Victory,’ in honour of Akbar's successful Gujarat campaign in 1573. Buland Darwaza, was erected to commemorate Akbar's triumph.
• In 1573, Emperor Akbar of the Mughal dynasty seized control of the Gujarat Sultanate by exploiting the vulnerabilities of the Gujarat Sultan, Muzaffar Shah III, and his conflicting nobility.
• Subsequently, Muzaffar was captured and held captive in Agra.
• In 1803, after the East India Company took control of Agra, Fatehpur Sikri became an administrative centre until 1850. During this period, in 1815, the Marquess of Hastings ordered the restoration of monuments at Sikri.

Architecture: 

• The architectural style of Fatehpur Sikri follows Timurid forms and styles, characterized by massive constructions predominantly using red sandstone.
• Influences from Gujarat are evident in the decor of the palaces within Fatehpur Sikri.
• Access to Fatehpur Sikri is facilitated through gates along the long fort wall.
• These gates include Delhi Gate, Lal Gate, Agra Gate, Birbal's Gate, Chandan Pal Gate, Gwalior Gate, Tehra Gate, Chor Gate, and Ajmeri Gate.
• The palace features both a summer palace and a winter palace for Queen Mariam-uz-Zamani, commonly known as Jodha Bai.

Some of the important buildings in this city, both religious and secular are:

Buland Darwaza

• Buland Darwaza: The gate was added to commemorate Akbar's successful Gujarat campaign.
• Jama Masjid:
  • It was perhaps one of the first buildings to be constructed in the complex, as its epigraph gives A.D. 1571–72 as the date of its completion, with a massive entrance to the courtyard, the Buland Darwaza added some five years later.
  • A distinguishing feature is the row of chhatri over the sanctuary.
  • There are three mihrabs in each of the seven bays, while the large central mihrab is covered by a dome, it is decorated with white marble inlay, in geometric patterns.

Salim Chishti’s tomb

• Tomb of Salim Chishti: Built with white marble, the tomb of the Sufi saint, Salim Chishti (1478–1572), is within the Jama Masjid's sahn (courtyard). Surrounding it is a covered passageway for circumambulation, with carved Jalis, stone pierced screens all around with intricate geometric design and an entrance to the south. 
• Diwan-i-Aam: Diwan-i-Aam or Hall of Public Audience, where the ruler meets the general public. 
• Diwan-i-Khas: Diwan-i-Khas or Hall of Private Audience, is a plain square building with four chhatris on the roof. It is here that Akbar had representatives of different religions discuss their faiths. 

Ibadat Khana

• Ibadat Khana: (House of Worship) was a meeting house built in 1575 CE by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, where the foundations of a new Syncretistic faith, Din-e-Ilahi were laid by Akbar.
• Anup Talao: Anup Talao was built by Raja Anup Singh Sikarwar.

Jodha bai Palace

• Jodha Bai Mahal: The place of residence of Akbar's chief Rajput wife, Mariam-uz-Zamani, commonly known as Jodha Bai, shows Rajput influence. There is also a Hindu temple and a tulsi math. 
• Panch Mahal: A five-storied palatial structure, with the tiers gradually diminishing in size, until the final one, which is a single large-domed chhatri.
• Birbal's House: The house of Akbar's, who was a Hindu. Notable features of the building are the horizontal sloping sunshades or chajjas and the brackets which support them.