Question

With reference to the Mughal Empire, explain briefly the significance of the following:

Monuments at Fatehpur Sikri.

Answer 1

Fatehpur Sikri was built to symbolise the power of Akbar’s empire, to represent the meaning of Allah’s message to mankind and to display the wonders of the Islamic faith. Completed in 1578, Fatehpur Sikri has a grand palace where Akbar’s court functioned for a few years until the shortage of water caused the city to be abandoned. Other grand monuments in Fatehpur Sikri are Panch Mahal, the Buland Darwaza, a mosque dedicated to Salim Chisti, the tomb of Salim Chisti, a prayer hall for the new religion called Din-i-Ilahi started by Akbar; halls of public and private audience, the Diwan-i-am and Diwan-i-Khas, Jodha Bai’s palace and Raja Birbal’s house.