Search Lowest fares on all travel sites with one click !
Browse Heritage Cities Of India
Jodha Bai Palace
Jodhabai’s Palace, India
Location |
In the Harem complex of Fatehpur Sikri |
Year of Construction |
1571 |
Built by |
Akbar |
Significance |
Built in Rajput and Mughals architectural styles |
Introduction
Jodhabai’s Palace is in the center of Harem complex in Fatehpur Sikri. This palace was well equipped with all the necessary things that was required in the day to day life for the ladies who used to be in purdah. Though this palace is huge and large but has restriction for the ladies. This palace has many apartments which are linked to many courtyards and leads to the huge inner courtyard. The Harem baths are on the south of the palace, behind them were stables. The harem complex was however not restricted only to the palace and extended beyond that. There are many gardens on the north and towards the west of the palace lies the dome shaped double storied building which is beautifully built and belonged to Birbal. This palace is said to be the biggest in the Imperial Harem and also very important. This palace gives a good impression of the various styles of buildings in Fatehpur Sikri. One can find a blend of Muslims and Hindus (Gujarathi & Rajasthani) style. This palace got its name from Akbar’s wife who was a Rajput and had all the necessary facilities. This building was mainly for Raniwas or Zenani-Dyodhi. There are many Hindu motifs hence this confirms the fact that this belonged to a Hindu lady and has distinctive architectural features of both Gujarat & Rajasthan.
The Jodhabai’s palace is said to be the perfect one if one wants to understand the different kinds of architectural styles of the buildings in Fatehpur Sikri. The Palace of Jodhabai is very beautiful and once just loves it all the more and the delicate design that is laced on the delicate walls is worth noting and appreciating. This has great importance in the history of India and Jodhabai was a Rajput princess who was very strong personality and had made a big name in the court of Mughal Emperor. She was known for her bravery and hence she was also said to be the Mughal Emperor Akbar’s favorite queen and hence he got this palace built for her.
Construction – Jodhabai’s Palace
On the 6th of February in the year 1562, Akbar married Rajkumari Hira at a place called Sambhar in Rajasthan in India and was the third wife. Ruqaiyya Begum his first wife was childless, Salima Sultan who was the widow of Bairam Khan his trusted general was his second wife and after Hira Kunwari his third wife got married to him her name was changed to Mariam-uz-Zamani. She was actively involved in the court matters till the time Nur Jahan became the empress. Jodhabai was a very strong personality in the history.
Akbar built the palace for Jodhabai, as she was his favorite queen and so that she could rest here and all the necessities that were required for the day to day life was being well stocked here.
Maryam Zamani was the owner of the ships and was taking care of the ships that used to carry the Haj Pilgrims. In the year 1613, the Portuguese pirates seized her ship, Rahimi, hence capturing about 700 passengers hence leading to chaos in the kingdom and so the Emperor capture the town Daman in Portuguese. She died in the year 1622 and as her last wish was that a step well or vav needs to be constructed and this was fulfilled by her son Jahangir.
The Great History
Jodhabai was also known as Harkha Bai, Rajkumari Hira Kunwari, Rukmavati Sahiba and most famously known as Mariam uz-Zamani Begum Sahiba and was the third queen of The Mughal Emperor Akbar, a Rajput princess earlier went on to become Mughal Empress after she married Akbar the Mughal Emperor. She was the Rajput king Kachwaha Rajput’s eldest daughter and he was the Raja Bharmal of Jaipur state earlier known as Amber. She got noticed after she married the Akbar the Mughal emperor and the mother of the emperor Jahangir. Her Mughal name was Mariyam Zamani Begum and this being the reason that the mosque was built in her honor in Lahore’s walled city. Jahangir built his mother Mariyam Zamani Begum’s mosque and is just 1 km away from the tomb of Akbar near Agra at a place called Sikandra.
Rules and Regulations
- One has to strictly adhere to the timing which they specify.
- Cameras are restricted in few of the places and hence better to avoid carrying it.
- A person under the influence of alcohol is strictly not permitted.
How to Reach Jodhabai’s Palace
By Air
The airport is under construction and hence is proposed to get over by March 2012 in the meanwhile there is accessibility for small planes for landing.
By Road
You can either hire a car which would be a better option or can alternatively board a bus as the frequency of buses is more either from Agra or Jaipur. There are frequent buses of the UPSRTC being run.
By Rail
The city of Agra is well connected to rails and hence people can get down here and take a taxi or bus to reach Fatehpur Sikri. The railway station in Fatehpur Sikri is very nearby from the center of the city and is just 1 kms.
One can also reach this place from Agra in case if they want to visit that place as well and there are many convenient transport connecting to the road and it is just 40 kms from Agra and hence is better to hire a taxi or go in for the UPSRTC’s that are very frequently running between Agra to Fatehpur Sikri and from Fatehpur Sikri to Agra.
Best Time to Visit :
The best time to visit the Diwani-i-Aam is from the month of November to February as the summers would be too hot hence making it difficult to bear the heat and the rainy season would be of less entertainment when it comes to exploring this wonderful palace. Hence the need to visit this place during the season.
Tourist Places Near Jodhabai’s Palace
Birbal’s Palace
Among the important monuments of Fatehpur Sikri Birbal’s palace is considered to be one among them. This was the place where Birbal used to reside. Built in the year 1571, this is considered as one among the imperial harem’s beautiful buildings. With two entrances one on the Northwest and the other on the Southeast and has 4 rooms which are connected to each other very well. There are talks saying that it was Akbar who had built it but then there are other set of people who say that it was Birbal who got it constructed himself.
Pachisi Court
Pachisi Court or the Chaupar Court is said to be very close to Diwan-i-Aam and was built by Akbar the Mughal Emperor in the year 1572 till the year 1575. This had huge sand stones on either side with the courtyard in white and black color, where they used to play the board game called Pachisi court which is similar to chess.
Hiran Minar
Hiran Minar is situated in the open plains with 21.34 meters in height. The Hiran Minar also known as the Deer Tower got the name after the conversion of the polo ground which surrounds the tower to the deer sanctuary. Up to a height of 3,910 meters this tower has the shape of an octagon and after that it is circular in shape. Being built in the shape of an octagon this tower rests upon the square base wherein the lower platform which is square shape is 21.96 meters and 1.2 meters is the octagonal platform. This tower has six point stars and rows of hexagon in an alternate arrangement. The stone tusks are being used now and has replaced the ancient elephant tusks which were very prominent and used to protrude from each of the star’s center. The elephant tusks of the ancient time which were pure were a symbol of novelty and grandeur of the Mughal Empire that ruled at that time.
Daftar Khana
Daftar Khana is located on the palace complex’s south side and hence is built in typical Mughal architecture style and in shape it is rectangle with huge windows and it is said that Akbar used to be available to the public through this window everyday.
Anup Talao
This is a wonderful pool which has a platform in the middle and there are four bridges which leads to the ornamental swimming pool. This is a beautiful sight with many important and famous buildings surrounding the royal enclave. The house of dreams or khwabgah, Akbar’s house also surrounds this.
Naubat Khana
Naubat Khana is also known as the drum house or Naqqar Khana, where the musicians used to inform the public about the arriving of the king by beating the drums. This is located after the elephant gate or hathi pol gate.
Ibadat Khana
This is the house of worship which was a house for meetings and was built by the great Mughaal Emperor Akbar in the year 1575, where the foundation of faith, called Din-e-llahi was laid by Akbar.
Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid means Friday mosque and probably the first in the buildings to be constructed. The entrance to courtyard is huge and later aft 5years the Buland Darwaza got added. Built in the typical Indian mosque, the feature that distinguishes this from others is the rows of chhatri which is above the sanctuary with the seven bays having 3 mihrabs each and the central one covered by dome and white marble is used to decorate it.
Buland Darwaza
One can get access to the mosque Jama Masjid through the Buland Darwaza which is in Fatehpur Sikri. This is located on a hill and is very magnificent and built in a typical Mughal style of architecture which is built in red sand stone with white marble as well. This is in arch shape and is very prominent and marks a history. The meaning of Buland Darwaza is high door and is 176 feet in height from the ground & 134 steps above top step. The Buland Darwaza is very prominent and hence can be seen even from a very long distance due to its magnificent size. There are many calligraphic inscriptions taken from the Quran which is mentioned on the face of the chattris and pillars hence making it very catchy and impressive.
Tomb of Salim Chisti
This Tomb was built keeping on mind the faith symbol and even many years down the line this has been a mixture of faith and belief with sovereignty and power. This was built in memory of the great Salim Chisti who was a Sufi saint, and was built in the year 1571 and represented as the Mughal Empire’s capital until 1585. Constructed with red sand stone earlier but now it has been modified and has been made up with marble entirely. The highlight of this Tomb is the jails or the lattice work which is beautifully done on the windows and another striking feature is that it reminds one of the pearls amidst the red stones that are used for this.
Ankh Micholi Treasury
Ankh Micholi Treasury is a must see as this beautiful Treasury was built in honor of Sheik Salim Chisti a great sufi saint and was the Mughals Royal Treasure during their leadership in Fatehpur Sikri. The astrologer’s seat is the highlight of the building as this is very uniquely done. And the designs that are being used to make this amazingly beautiful are of the Buddhist architectural and painting style.
Panch Mahal
The Panch Mahal has got its own charm and its structures are based on the buildings ground floor and has eight four columns. Towards the buildings upper part only four columns are left which is filled with lots of air. There is a dome on the palace top and they have the typical Mughal jallis which adds to the beauty of the Mahal. Inspired by the Buddhist Temple’s architectural style this Mahal which is in Fatehpur Sikri used to be a place for relaxing by the Emperor Akbar.
Diwani-i-Aam
Diwani-i-Aam also known popularly as the Hall of Public Audience used to be a hall for addressing the general public by the Emperor. Built with red sandstone and plastered with plaster which is of white shell this has halls which are divided in three aisles and nine arches. There is a chamber which is rectangle in shape and from here the emperor used to address the people.Constructed in marble the ‘jharokha’ with three opening which are of arch in shape and are of precious stones was called as the (Throne room) ‘Takht-i-Murassa’. This has connection to the royal apartments and the ladies used to see the ceremonies of Diwani-i-Aam through the windows which were made of marble and had screens with perforation both on the left and right of the chamber of the emperor. ‘Baithak’ was the name given to the marble dias which was below this chamber. The Vazirs who used to present the petitions used to sit here.
Diwan-khana-i-khaas
Hall of Private audience or Diwan-khana-i-khaas is on the right which is a two storied building and once you enter you will find the single vault chamber and in the middle there is a column which is carved and supports the colossal bracketed capital.
Nagina Masjid and Hawa Mahal
The palace of winds or Hawa Mahal is on Jodhabai’s palace’s right side the wind tower which are small are facing the garden and attached to palace. The garden is in the style of Char Bagh which is divided by the channels which are shallow and intersect in right angles.
Fast Facts
Year of Construction: 1571
Built By: Akbar
Dedicated to: His wife Jodhabai
Location: Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh
Building Type: Rajput and Mughals architectural styles
Architecture: Built in Rajput and Mughals architectural styles
Highlights: This is a perfect blend of the architectural styles of both the Mughals and the Rajputs.
Timings:
This place is open on all of the weekdays from dawn to dusk.
Fee:
For kids above 12 years Rs. 5/ entry fee is charged and there is no entry fee on Fridays as it is free.
Interesting Facts of Jodhabai’s Palace
- The Jodhabai’s palace is said to be the most important part and the largest of Imperial Harem.
- It has all the facilities that one would need everyday.
- This was built by Akbar for his favorite wife Jodhabai.
- Inside of the palace there are many ghant mala, srivatsa mark, lotus, elephants, parrots, swans etc.
- There is a western suite which is made into the temple place and consists of beautiful pillars with brackets.
- Built in Rajput and Mughals architectural styles