Page 208 - DK Eyewitness Travel Guides - The World's Must-See Places

206 ASIA Fatehpur Sikri

Built by Emperor Akbar between 1571 and 1585 in honor
CHINA
of Salim Chishti, a famous Sufi saint of the Chishti order,
Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal empire for 14
. oelh'
FATEHPURO years. One of the best examples of a Mug hal walled city, with
.-.! SIKRI
defined areas and imposing gateways, its architecture is a
INDIA BAY OF blend of Hindu and Islamic styles (Mugha/ Style, see p.204),
BENGAL
and reflects Akbar's secular vision as well as his type of
ARABIA~
SEA eChennai governance. The city was abandoned, some say for lack of
fWD/A~ water, in 1585, and many of its treasures were plundered. It
I. OCEA~ Fretwork.ja/i
SpllANI(A
owes its present state of preservation to the efforts of Lord
Curzon, Viceroy of India and a great conservationist.
THE JAM I MASJID AND SALIM CHISHTI
Towering over Fatehpur Sikri is the grand open
mosque Jami Masjid.ltsvast congregational PLAN OF FATEHPUR SIKRI TANSEN
area has monumental gateways to the east and Fatehpur Sikri's royal complex contains A musical genius, the legendary composer-
south. The 177-ft (54-m) Buland Darwaza, a the private and public spaces of Akbar's musician Tansen was Akbar's Master of
triumphal arch, was erected by Akbar to mark court, including the harem and the trea-
sury. The adjoining sacred area, with Music and one of the "nine jewels" in his
his 1 5 73 conquest of Gujarat The spiritual the Jami Masjid mosque, Salim Chishti's court. He developed an exciting new range
focus of the complex is the tomb of Sufi mystic tomb, and the Buland Darwaza arch are of melodic modes, or ragas.
Salim Chishti. Ever since Akbar's childlessness separated from the royal quarters by
the Badshahi Darwaza, a royal gateway.
was ended after the saint's prediction in 1 568,
his tomb has attracted thousands, particularly KEY Jami Masjid
0 Area illustrated bebw
childless women in search of a miracle, Visitors
0 Other buildings
make a wish, tie a thread on the screen around
D Sacred complex (Jami Masjid)
the tomb, and return home confident that their
wish will come true.
AKBAR THE GREAT
~ Khwabgah
The greatest emperor of the Muslim Mughal
dynasty, Akbar (r 1556-1605) was a brilliant
administrator and an enlightened ruler. Just
14 years old when he ascended the throne,
his first task was to consolidate and expand
his fledgling empire. His most significant move
Anoop Talao
was the political and matrimonial alliances he
This pool is associated witll
formed with the Hindu Rajputs. However, it Akbar's renowned court
was his policy of religious tolerance that truly musician, Tansen, who, according
to legend, could light oil lamps
set him apart Akbar was fascinated by the
with his magical singing. ---=---~-----=--~c......+-~iW!If''--7~-----'==----~~
study of comparative rei igion and built a special
"House of Worship" in F atehpur Sikri, where
~ Turkish Sultana's House
he often met leaders of other faiths. The fine dado panels and delicately
sculpted walls of this ornate sandstone
LORD CURZON pavilion make the stone seem like -----~=~~;;;~~~~~~~~~~~
wood. It is topped with an unusual
One of colonial India's most flamboyant
stone roof of imitation clay tiles.
viceroys, Lord Curzon ( 1859-1925) believed
British rule was necessary to civilize "backward"
India. He introduced sweeping changes in the
education system, but he is remembered
~ Diwan-i-Aam
most for his role as a conservator of Indian
This large courtyard with an
monuments. Lord Curzon was responsible elaborate pavilion was originally
for the restoration of a vast number of Hindu, draped with rich tapestries
and was used for pub I ic
Islamic, and Mughal buildings, among them the
hearings and eel ebr ations.
gateway to Emperor Akbar's tomb at Sikandra,
Agra Fort, the buildings at F atehpur Sikri, the
Jain tem pies at Mount Abu, and the Taj Mahal.
KEY DATES
In 1905, due to a difference of opinion with
the British military commander-in-chief, Lord 1571 1576 1585 1986
Kitchener, Curzon returned to England. By Construct on of The 1 5-stol)' Fatehpur Sikri is Fatehpur Sikri
the time he left, he had achieved sufficient Emperor Akbar's new triumphal arch abandoned by becomes a UNESCO
cap~al at Fatehpu r Buland DaiWaza is Emperor Akbar. World Heritage Site.
legislation to protect India's historic buildings,
Sikri begins. built by Akbar. Entrance /
and set up an organization to conserve them.