Lecture 11: Islamic Architecture in India_Akbar-the king of builder’s

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Figure 01: Areal view of Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri, Agra

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General Information
Also called as City of Victory
The was city founded 41 km west from Agra, in 1570. Deserted since 1585
Akbar's spiritual counselor, Shaikh Salim Chishti established hermitage on sikri hill and
predicted birth of three sons of akbar.
Babar has waged a crucial war in Sikri and built a small mosque as a “shukri” to
celebrate his victory.
And sikri hill became the auspicious site for a new capital.
Surrounded 11 km of wall of rocky ridge : irregular rectangle (2 mile x 1 mile)

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Figure 02: Satelite view of Fatehpur Sikri

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Figure 03: Master Plan of Fatehpur Sikri

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Zoning
Service area
(water-works, guard quarter ) were located in the outer periphery
Public spaces
(Diwan-i-amm), Jami mosque from a ring around the private
audience chamber.
Private Residences
at the the heart of the city.

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Diwan-I-Khass
Figure 03: Front view of Diwan-I-Khass

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Figure 03: Minarate of Sidi
Bashir Mosque (15th c.)
Diwan-I-Khass
Hall of Private
audience
Inspired by Gujrati
model; minarates of
mosque at
ahmedabad.
(Mosque of Sidi
Bashir, later 15th C.)
A plain square
building with
four chhatris on the
roof.
Figure 04: Central Pillar of
Diwan-I khass

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Diwan-I-Khass
Figure 04: Ground Floor Plan Diwan-I Khass Figure 04: Upper Floor Plan Diwan-I Khass

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Diwan-I-Khass
Architectural Features
Central pillar has a square base and an octagonal shaft, both carved
with bands of geometric and floral designs.
It bursts forth into a set of 36 closely set vaulted and pendulous
brackets supporting a circular platform from which radiate four
passages.
This platform is connected to each corner of the building on the first
floor, by four stone walkways.

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Figure 03: Section of Diwan-I-Khass
Diwan-I-Khass
Figure 04: Elevation of Diwan-I-Khass

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Diwan-I-Amm
Figure 03: Front view of Diwan-I-Khass

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Diwan-I-Amm
Hall of public audience
The narrow and severely ouster oblong public entrance through
breaking the canons of symmetry of the city.
The single storey Diwan-i-amm became the meaningful from the point
of view of security and function.

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Panch Mahal (Palace of Wind)
Figure 03: Perspective view of Panch Mahal

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The tallest (five stored ) building is the so called ‘panch mahal’, name
derives from its five tires.
It’s a pleasure pavilion to take advantage of cooling breezes.
It was reserved for the emperor and the royal household, only the most
trusted would have had access to it.
The five stories above diminish gradually from north-west to south-east
facades, as inspired by multiple storied of Buddhist Viharas.

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Figure 03: Front view of Panch Mahal

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The rectangular ground floor being built over 84 columns
South east portion rise vertically up to culminate in a domed canopy
supported over 4 pillars.
Pierced stone screen faced the façade and probably sub-divided the interior.
It was used by the women of the imperial harem (more than 300 wives of
Akbar) to enjoy their leisure during summer.

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Jodha Bai’s Palace
Figure 03: Perspective view of Jodha Bai’s Palace

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The largest palace of the city.
A series of palaces and rooms had been arranged in two floor around a
courtyard.
Summer palace ------- Northern end
Winter palace ------- Southern end
Jodha Bai’s Palace

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Jodh Bai’s Palace
Figure 03: Prespective view of Panch Mahal

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Raja Birbal’s House
Figure 03: Perspective view of Raja Birbal’s House

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The largest palace of the city.
A series of palaces and rooms had been arranged in two floor around a
courtyard.
Summer palace ------- Northern end
Winter palace ------- Southern end

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Figure 03: Ground Floor Plan (left) & First Floor Plan (Right) of Raja Birbal’s House

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Jami Mosque
Figure 03: Areal view of Jami Mosque

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Measuring 515 ft x 432 ft undoubtedly the largest mosque in India.
A more conventional Islamic configuration, the mosque with liwan facade
that is rather confused and weak with other edifices of fatehpur sikri.
Its consists Central arched fronton which dwarfs the dome behind in the old
Tughlaq tradition.
Jami Mosque

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Jami Mosque
Figure 03: Plan of Jami Mosque

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Buland darwaza
Figure 03: Front view of Buland darwaza

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An opening of a modest size within a frame of intentionally immense
proportions.
And yet maintaining a fluid relationship between the
‘crescendo of the great alcove above’
and
‘diminuendo of the man height passageway’
Two seemingly contrary visual requirements are satisfactorily reconciled.
Buland darwaza

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Buland Darwaza

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Approached by grand flight of steps towards the huge almost 50ft wide and
100ft high arch over 134’ft of portal.
The central two storied of small arches (attendants room) lead one into the
courtyard of the mosque through a domed passage.
The platform over the building rise at an elevation of 42 ft from ground
bellow.
Buland Darwaza

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Buland Darwaza

Lecture 11: Islamic Architecture in India_Akbar-the king of builder’s

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Lecture 11: Islamic Architecture in India_Akbar-the king of builder’s