Today, I would like to touch upon a very nice topic: Fatehpur Sikri. Located in the Agra region of Uttar Pradesh, India, it presents us with an example of devotion and creative genius of the Mughal rule. Fatehpur Sikri impresses with the magnificence of its fifteenth-century Mughal architecture and the design ideology of Akbar the Great, who founded the city. UNESCO declared this place a part of the human heritage in 1986. So what is Fatehpur Sikri? What does it contain? If you’re ready, let’s start!
An interesting and beautiful city, Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1571. He wanted it to be the main city of his huge kingdom. It’s in a rocky area close to Agra and surrounded by strong walls. Akbar didn’t just want it to be a place for running the kingdom, but also a spot for parties and culture stuff. One big reason he picked this spot was because of a really famous guy named Sheikh Salim Chishti, who was like a spiritual rockstar. Akbar thought highly of him because Sheikh Salim Chishti predicted something cool about Akbar’s future heir. To show respect, Akbar named the city after him and built a mosque to honour him. It’s pretty how Akbar’s ideas and love for the saint turned into making this awesome city, right?
Architectural Explanation
The Architectural brilliance of Fatehpur Sikri is a great fusion of Islamic, Hindu, and Persian architectural influences that come together in perfect amalgamation. Many different cultures are bound up in this space in such a way that one may say without doubt that no such place exists anywhere else in the whole world. The red sandstone structures, with large courtyards marked by different carvings reflecting affluent artistic sensitivity of the Mughal era, come into view from every angle of the photo. Besides, one of the things that stand out in the pictures are these lovely red hues.
Buland Darwaza
Buland Darwaza, also known as the “Magnificent Gate”, is a tall gate located in Fatehpur Sikri. It has a height of 54 metres. This gate is the grand entrance to the Jama Masjid, a fancy mosque in the city. So basically, it’s like the welcoming giant doorway to this mosque. This is perhaps the most photographed area. The door is like the symbol of the complex. Standing tall, owing to its grandiose altitude, along with other features such as symmetrical shape, well-crafted engraving containing Quran verses, and an announcement about Akbar’s conquest of Gujarat in 1573, Buland Darwaza remains perfect for the portrayal of Mughal architecture.
Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India and another building in Fatehpur Sikri. Built in 1571, this structure incorporates many architectural influences. Lots of people can fit in the big courtyard for prayers, and the building looks both fancy and peaceful. Inside, there are fancy paintings and fancy writing on the walls, showing off how skilled the artists were back then. This pretty mosque brings in tons of folks every year for prayers.
Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Aam
There are two important halls in Fatehpur Sikri: Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Aam. Located in the Diwan-i-Khas, there are pillars with elaborate carvings that show Akbar’s authority and how he believed that he ruled by the will of God. The Diwan-i-Aam was where the king talked to regular people and decided who was right and wrong. Both these places show how Akbar was good at running things by being open and fair. Even today, they stand as symbols of justice for everyone.
Panch Mahal and Jodha Bai’s Palace
The Panch Mahal is breathtaking in its Mughal design. It’s crafted to catch the breeze, with each level getting smaller towards the top, making sure it stays comfy inside. This shows how Akbar balanced making things pretty with making them practical. People used the Panch Mahal for chilling out, having fun, and enjoying the view all around. It is a great place to watch the views. Another landmark in Fatehpur Sikri is the palace of Jodha Bai, Akbar’s Hindu wife. This palace is a blend of Indian and Mughal styles. It’s got big open courtyards and fancy columns with different designs, making it look really cool. It’s a symbol of Akbar’s idea that everyone’s culture and beliefs should be respected.
Cultural Significance and Legacy
Fatehpur Sikri has been a hive of culture and society. Akbar’s name palace was turned into a centre where people coming from varied cultures, tongues and even religions assembled and interacted. This was because he esteemed learning and knowledge therefore inviting to his palace people like astronomers, poets, artisans and even divines from the four corners of the world. This resulted in a flourishing period for Mughal art, literature, and music which had profound impacts on Indian cultural heritage. However, Fatehpur Sikri’s era as a supreme Mughal capital was short-lived. In 1585, Akbar relocated to Lahore town due to inadequate availability of water. The old town’s influence was still felt despite the location change. His unparalleled style exerted influence on Mughal architecture for many years to follow. Although abandoned, the city never lost its significance, and till today serves as the epitome of rich cultural heritage and grandeur covering the reign of Akbar. FatehPur Sikri’s UNESCO recognition is to the fact that; historically, culturally, and architecturally, it holds certain values that are critical.
Explore the criteria used by UNESCO for this area to verify cultural heritage. No doubt, criterion (ii) underscores the crucial part played by Fatehpur Sikri in modelling Mughal urbanism which in the end culminated in Shahjahanabad. This accolade praises the urban planning and architectural designs of the city during the Mughal era. Criterion (iii) emphasises that Fatehpur Sikri is an exceptional representation of Mughal civilization in the late 16th century. It is a real tribute to the cultural, architectural and historical wealth of the Mughal period and shows its greatness and elegance. Criterion (iv) indeed notes Fatehpur Sikri as a unique architectural ensemble of exceptional quality, constructed between 1571 and 1585. The period’s buildings display a harmonious blend of indigenous and Persian styles, showing the great craft and architectural innovation.
At present, Fatehpur Sikri is cherished worldwide as a precious piece of history that draws academicians, historians and holidaymakers. Being designated by UNESCO as a world heritage site the place possesses deep significance in history and culture. Fatehpur Sikri goes far beyond historical matters; instead it represents the zenith of artistry and engineering realised by the Mughal Empire. Going to Fatehpur Sikri feels like going back in time, feeling and seeing what the great city of Mughals was like. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this city continues to be interesting by serving as an eternal mark that represents how rich and mighty the outstanding empire was.
Images:
- 01_UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Fatehpur Sikri_©Getty Images, AWL Images RM
- 02_Buland Darwaza_©www.en.wikipedia.org
- 03_Jama Masjid_©www.en.wikipedia.org
- 04_Diwan-i-Khas_©www.en.wikipedia.org
- 05_Diwan-i-Am_©www.en.wikipedia.org
- 06_Panch Mahal_©www.en.wikipedia.org
- 07_Jodha Bai’s Palace_©www.en.wikipedia.org
Sources:
- Wikipedia. (2021). Fetihpur Sikri. [online] Available at: https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetihpur_Sikri [Accessed 21 May 2024].
- Centre, U.W.H. (n.d.). Fatehpur Sikri. [online] UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/255/.
- Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). Fatehpur Sikri | India. [online] Available at: https://www.britannica.com/place/Fatehpur-Sikri.
- Centre, U.W.H. (n.d.). India. [online] UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/in.
