landscape study of Royal Complex at Fatehpur Sikri

1. Landscape study Of
FATEHPUR SIKRI
ABU SHAHMA RASHEED
semester - 09

2. 1. Salim chisti's tomb
2. Kashmir Serai
3. Hiran Minar
4. Panch Mahal
5. Diwan -e Aam
6. Mint
7. Jodha Bai's Palace
8. Sultana's apartment
9. Diwan -e- khas
10. Treasury
11. Naubat khana
12. Barah dari
13. Birbal's house
14. Miriam's house
15. Stables
16. Abul fazl's house
17. Turkish Bath
18. Turkish Bath
19. Turkish Bath
20. Baoli
21. Tank
22. Daftar Khana
23. Octagonal Bali
24. Barahdari
25. Barahdari
26. Tomb & Masjid
27. Artificial lake
28. Char-chaman (Anup Talao)

3. The most important thing I noticed in Skillful organization of the terrain (the ridges & Slopes).
The ridge did not have even level, hence terraces on the receding levels were made one for the
each of the three main complexes.
i. The mosque Complex
ii. The royal Complex
iii. The public Complex
Red sand stone was the easily available and Commonly used building material of Mughal
Kingdom, hence they used it.
The structure design and placement and even some structural elements are accordance with
climatic conditions, like the BARAHDARI a square shape structure have three arch gates on
each sides to allow free flow of air. And because of their outstanding acoustic features, these
were particularly well suited for MUJRA dance. They were valued most for their fresh air
during hot summers. There are three BARAHDARI on the site, mentioned as 12, 24 & 25 in
previous page.
BARAHDARI in Fatehpur Sikri also known as TANSEN BARAHDARI .
Enough open spaces are provided to ensure maximum sanitation.

4. WATER BODIES- An artificial lake is provided. Before artificial lake there was a khari nadi that
was a seasonal river contained water for only 6 months, that's why a huge artificial lake called
Terah mori was built to contain water for use throughout the year and more. The lake provided
a water front, breezes from which, in scorching summers and cooled down the atmosphere.
The lake was used for architectural landscaping and tampering the climate rigors, as much for
supply of water. One of side of the city did not have any defensive wall, because of the artificial
lake.
There are many other water bodies provided in the complex to provide cold, fresh water for
drinking, for ablution and also to control on passive heat.
Fatehpur Sikri was an outskirt of Rajasthan, completely hot and dry place, No enough water to
drink even. The artificial lake and the water bodies provided in the complex were the best
solution.
Planning to use rain water is also Smartly done. The rain walk from North - west quarter of the
jami and the area around the tomb was drained into it (mentioned as 26 in Page 1).
The another popular water body is to Anup talao or char chamand tank (mentioned as 28 in
page 1). This is basically a red sand-stone masonry tank, square in plan and bilaterally
Symmetrical. A square stand platform stand in its center.
Char chamand refers to four bridges stone supported by stone columns with bracket capitals
on each side of platform. The tank served to cool the air. A smart water system for drainage for
Consumption and to control on heat is provided and placed according to levels.
The another main element of this complex, that was made considering the climate or to
provide the climatic comfort is gardens. Gardens were freely laid out even outside the
perimeter of fatehpur sikri. One of the noted garden was ‘Garden of Victory’ Constructed by
Babar after defeating Rana Sangha at outskirt around a kilometer from Hiran Minar
(mentioned as 3 in page 1). Another important Garden in Zenana Garden situated near
Mariam's house, it was meant to be used by royal ladies and ensure complete privacy for them
thus plastered rubble wall enclosed it with a doorway and a guard house.

5. Gardens are also provided in between the open spaces of complex in typical Mughal style like
Charbagh.
After talking about landscape, the another thing that I found important is the placements.
Everything is placed well according to climate, topography, according to the person who is
going to use it and considering the relationship with the Akbar and according to his way of
ruling according to relation with citizens, everything well planned. No doubt the landscape was
planned first before the construction of anything due to harsh climate.
Babar and his successors liked and chose this place to get away from the noise and chaos of
Agra and build and uninterrupted sequence of gardens on the free loft bank of Yamuna, linked
both by boat and by land. And that's why Babar named it ‘Shukri’ (Thanks) from which ‘sikri’
word came.
I think priorities for every structure word well discussed while planning, like the mosque
complex situated on highest level and it’s orientation was not determined by climatic condition
but by religious compulsion. And then the next lower plane is for royal complex in which the
orientation of buildings is after careful consideration of the requirements of royally. A shahi
bazar is placed to a little lower level, very closed to Akbar’s wife’s places, a nagina masjid
special mosque for women is placed there.

6. Every monument in designed, placed and decorated as per status given by Akbar to them, like
two important monument Birbal’s house, who was very close to Akbar, known for his wisdom
and another is Abul fazal’s palace the ‘vazeer’ political advisor of Akbar.

7. One small monument i noticed that is the most decorated monument in the complex is
Sultana's apartment also known as ‘Turkish Sultana’. Every single inch of this wall is carved
with trees, flower, and patterns, this topic has very less discussed in history but surely sultana
was Special to Akbar, the way it is constructed and placed very close to Diwan-e-khas
(mentioned as 8 in page 1). Another thing that I found interesting is carvan-e-sarai that was
place for the stay of foreign traders, located in the neighborhood of Aristocratic bazar, also
known as ‘Kashmir-sarai’.
In my opinion the planning of this complex had also some Contribution towards popularity and
love for Akbar among civilians. The way market is placed very close to the complex, and
settlement of civilians is also very close to the complex, and a monument Diwan- e- Aam in the
Complex, where he used to listen the problem of the civilian. These things made civilian feel
that king is very close to them and take care of them.
Things that I like:
i. The placement and planning of complex, as I said everything is placed according to its
purpose, user, relationship with Akbar, its values, and climatically, topographically suitable.
ii. The way harsh climate is treated by the water bodies, artificial lake, cavity walls and
orientation.
iii. Connection with the ‘Nagar' civilian settlements that made civilians feel Akbar do care for
them.
iv. As a royal complex, it’s the best complex I studied, the complex is planned for everybody
and everybody’s requirement.
Things that I didn’t like:
i. The Complex is too big, yes it is for everybody, but maybe it was problematic for those
who used to work here.
ii. The water-bodies are not maintained that’s make complex too hot, shoes are not allowed
inside, so Its become difficult to walk on stone paved floors, since its get hot.

8. User Experience:
i. People who are interested in history, art and culture, found it the best place and put it in
the bucket of ‘must visit’ places.
ii. Some had bad experiences because of harassment by local people, some get hounded by
touts.
iii. Some get surrounded by fraud people and self-made guides.