Pete & Diana's India Adventure
Chennai
Chennai sightseeing
IEEE Conference
Jodhpur
Jaswant Thada
Mehrangarh Fort
Umaid Bhawan Palace
Jodhpur
Ranakpur
Jain Temple
Ranakpur
Udaipur
Jadish Temple
City Palace
Monsoon Palace
Jag Mandir
Udaipur
Jaipur
The Pink City
Amber Fort
Jal Mahal (Water Palace)
Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)
City Palace of Jaipur
Jantar Mantar Observatory
Royal Gaitor
Jaipur
Abheneri
Chand Baori (Step Well)
Abheneri
Agra
Fatehpur Sikri
Taj Mahal
Red Fort
Itmad-ud-Daula (Baby Taj)
Agra
Delhi
Old Dehli
Jama Masjid
Raj Ghat & Ghandi Smriti
Humayan's Tomb
Qtub Minar
National Rail Museum
New Dehli
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Fatehpur Sikri - fortified city, short-lived capital of the Mughal empire (1571 to 1585) during reign of Emperor Akbar. Akbar visited Sikri to consult a Sufi saint who predicted the birth of an heir. When the prophecy came true, Akbar built the capital here, including a mosque, and three palaces for each of his favorite wives, one Hindu, one Muslim, and one Christian. The city was an Indo-Islamic masterpiece, but the area suffered from water shortages and so it was abandoned. The courtyard in front of the Hall of Public Audiences (now a garden), is where Akbar dispensed justice with public executions with elephants trampling criminals to death
Fatehpur Sikri, Hall of Private Audiences - famous for its central pillar. The pillar flares to create a flat plinth linked to the four corners of the room by narrow stone bridges. Emperor Akbar sat on the central raised platform & his ministers sat on the radiating column ends during meetings.
Fatehpur Sikri, Panch Mahal - the tallest building at Fatehpur Sikri. It is five stories high, has no walls, and is supported by a multitude of intricately carved pillars. Each floor over is smaller than the one below and it rises to a single domed kiosk on top supported by four columns providing a magnificent view of the city
Fatehpur Sikri, Panch Mahal - the tallest building at Fatehpur Sikri. Also known as "badgir," or wind tower, the building's design is open to the breeze and its thought to have been used as a place to cool off during the summer. The entire expanse of the imperial city is visible from the top floor, from where Akbar could see and be seen by his subjects.
Fatehpur Sikri, Khwabgah, or the Dream Palace - the royal residence of the Emperor
Fatehpur Sikri - the Dream Palace at the far end on the right
Fatehpur Sikri, Daulat Khana (Astrologer's Seat) - originally believed to be the seat of an Indian yogi, whom Akbar consulted. However, it's proximity to the treasury suggests that it may have been the seat of the court treasurer. Its arches are remarkable for their delicacy and fine execution, the design being derived from the medieval Jain temples of western India
Fatehpur Sikri, Pachisi Courtyard with the Hall of Private Audiences in the background. Pachisi Courtyard where Akbar is said to have played the game pachisis (an ancient version of ludo) using slave girls as pieces
Fatehour Sikri - panorama view of Pachisi courtyard
Fatehpur Sikri, Rumi Sultana - one of the most highly ornamented buildings in Fatehpur Sikri, built for Abkar's Turkish Muslim wife (a lower panel of the wall with heads of birds removed by later Muslim rulers)
Fatehpur Sikri, Rumi Sultana - one of the most highly ornamented buildings in Fatehpur Sikri, built for Abkar's Turkish Muslim wife (lattice work)
Fatehpur Sikri, Rumi Sultana - built for Abkar's Turkish Muslim wife (carved pillars)
Fatehpur Sikri, Anup Talao - an ornamental pool with a central platform and four bridges leading up to it. To the right is the Turkish Sultana's house with the Hall of Private Audiences in the background. To the left is Abdar Khana with the Panch Mahal (tall building) behind it. Center -right background is the Astrologer's Seat with the curved roof supports. Behind that is the Treasury.
Fatehpur Sikri - large vessel
Fatehpur Sikri, Anup Talao - an ornamental pool with a central platform and four bridges leading up to it
Fatehpur Sikri, Anup Talao - an ornamental pool with a central platform and four bridges leading up to it. Singers and musicians would perform on the platform above the water while Akbar watched from the pavilion in his private quarters
Fatehour Sikri - panorama view of ornamental pool
Fatehpur Sikri, entrance to Palace of Jodha Bai - the largest and most important part of Imperial Harem. It was named after Akbar’s Hindu wife, Jodha Bai, said to be his favorite
Fatehpur Sikri - Carvings showing Jhumkas (ear ornaments) on a kitchen wall outside of Jodha Bai’s Palace.
Fatehpur Sikri - courtyard of the Palace of Jodha Bai
Fatehpur Sikri - room in the Palace of Jodha Bai
Fatehpur Sikri - part of the Palace of Jodha Bai
Fatehpur Sikri - Jama Masjid mosque completed in 1571