Fatehpur Sikri Things to Do

The vast Pachisi Court lies in the centre of the imperial palace complex of Fatehpur Sikri, in the semi-private section. It is bordered by Abdar Khana, Diwan-i-Am and Diwan-i-Khas, and towering above it is the five-floored Panch Mahal from which the pavement pattern could be better appreciated. This design resembles that of a pachisi, a board game similar to backgammon which Akbar is known to have played, hence the name of the courtyard. Although there is no historic proof, some say that Akbar used to play the game in this courtyard with female slaves instead of pawns!

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This square pool located just outside Daulat Khana (the imperial palace) is known as Anup Talao, the "peerless pool". Although also decorative, its main purpose was for cooling the air around Mahal-i-Khas courtyard, which is surrounded by Daulat Khana, the Turkish Sultana's House and Abdar Khana. This area was separated from the vast Pachisi Court by a screen designed to provide privacy to the Emperor. The pool's centre is a platform island, which is connected to the courtyard by four bridges, and was once covered with a roof to give it a pavilion look.

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To the west of the Diwan-i-Khas lies a structure thought to have been the Treasury. It is commonly referred to as Ankh Michauli, or "blind man's bluff," in reference to a game emperor Akbar used to play with the ladies of the palace, which some think occurred within the structure. Adjacent to the structure is an intricately carved chhatri, domed kiosk, that is commonly known as the Astrologer's Seat. Although it is known that Akbar consulted astrologers, there is proof that any of them sat in this kiosk. It is architecturally stunning, with strong Hindu and Jain architectural influences.

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There are several hypotheses over the use of this elegant standalone structure. The most established theory is that it was the Hall of the Private Audience (Diwan-i-Khas). It is located just north of the large courtyard of the semi-private section of the palace complex. The four chhatris (domed kiosks) crowning its four corners give its exterior a distinctive look, but otherwise, it was built in the same red sandstone as elsewhere, decorated in a similar mix of Hindu and Islamic motifs. Another interesting feature of the exterior is the unusually large number of intricately carved brackets supporting the peripheral veranda of the first floor. These brackets, of clear Hindu architectural influence, only hint at what is found inside the palace. An even larger concentration of these brackets, arranged in circular shapes, support the corners of a gallery that revolves around the upper walls. Four bridges run diagonally from the corners to a circular central platform supported by a single column whose capital is composed of the same carved brackets radiating from the column in a circle. The effect of these brackets is quite astonishing and unique in Mughal or Hindu architecture (see attached photos).

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Located just south of the Anup Talao pool, Daulat Khana is the imperial palace of Akbar. It is composed of three floors and is divided into three sections, Kutub Khana (library), Citra Sala (atelier), and Kwabgah (royal apartment).

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A small pavilion composed of two floors, Abdar Khana is said to have been used to store Akbar's drinking water. The Emperor only drank water from the Ganges River, which was stored in sealed containers within this pavilion. Some historians, however, have argued that Abdar Khana may have been used as a school for the women of the palace. Perhaps it was both, but the latter theory is less established.

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Rising to a height of 22 metres, Panch Mahal is the most curious looking structure in the palace complex of Fatehpur Sikri. The structure has five floors, each smaller than the one below it, giving the palace an uneven pyramidal shape. Its exact function is unknown but it stands on the edge between the private and semi-private sections of the complex and may have been a recreational palace. Its other name, Bagdir, is Persian for wind tower, which may refer to the cooling effect of the tower. Each floor contains open hypostyle halls with series of carved columns supported by elephant-like brakets, but in their original design, these halls may have been divided into different rooms or cubicles, possibly separated by wooden lattice screens. The exterior of the palace is decorated with a mix of floral and geometric designs.

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Commonly referred as the Palace of Jodh Bai, this elegant palace was in fact the Shabistan-i Iqbal, the main haremsara, i.e imperial women's residence, including the wives of Akbar. It is unclear why it was named Jodh Bai, for she was the wife of Akbar's son, Jahangir. This palace is the largest in the Fatehpur Sikri royal complex and the best preserved. It is entered through a red sandstone gateway containing windows for the guards and topped by two chhatris (domed kiosks). The interior of the palace is centred around a spacious courtyard, surrounded by four similar structure, each acting as an independent suite. Each suite varies slightly in design but contains beautifully decorated halls drawing on Islamic and Hindu motifs. The entire palace is built from red sandstone, but parts of the roof are covered in glazed blue tiles. The walls of the rooms were likely painted in a variety of colours, but they faded over time.