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FATAHPUR
SIKRI, built c.1570-c.81 |
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*MAP*
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Section 6, top margin D, left margin b;
just south of Agra |
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*AKBAR*
himself designed the city, and personally supervised every detail of its
construction: here are some overviews and a plan of the site |
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Early engravings tend to focus on the Buland
Darvazah, or "Lofty Gate" |
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Some early photos of Fatahpur Sikri |
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The Buland Darvazah, approached from outside,
is immensely imposing |
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On the inside, it opens into the huge courtyard
of the Jama Masjid |
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In the courtyard of the Jama' Masjid is
the tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti (d.1572), in whose honor the city was
built; Akbar did the tomb in red sandstone, then Jahangir redid it in white
marble |
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The main zananah quarters, also called "Jodh
Bai's palace"; and nearby, a palace thought to have been built either by
or for Raja Birbal |
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Off to one side is the Hiran Minar, one
of the strangest-looking towers in the world |
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The five-storied Panch Mahal was a fine
vantage point and breeze-catcher |
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The Anup Tala'o ("Incomparable Pool") must
have been a great pleasure during the summer |
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The Divan-e Khas, or Hall of Private Audience |
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The Divan-e Khas is famous for its huge
"pillar-throne" in the center; scholars can't be sure exactly how this
and some other buildings on the site were used |
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There are also some elegant touches of color
in the surviving interior decoration |
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*BL*
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A search for "sikri" will produce many more
views |
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