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Jodha Bai Mahal

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Palace of Jodha Bai in Fatehpur Sikri.

Jodha Bai Mahal is one of the largest and most prominent palaces in Fatehpur Sikri commissioned by Mughal Emperor Akbar after 1569 for his chief consort and principal Rajput wife, Mariam-uz-Zamani, commonly known as Jodha bai.[1][2][3][4][5][6] This Mahal is the largest complex of the zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household). It is a masterpiece of the fusion of Hindu and Persian architecture made with red sandstone.[7]

History

Jodha Bai Mahal In Fatehpur Sikri

Born as a Rajput princess, Mariam-uz-Zamani was married to Akbar in the year 1562 as a result of a political alliance between Akbar and her father, Raja Bharmal.[8][9] She gradually became his favourite wife and was the first wife of Akbar to honour the royal household with an heir.[10] In the year 1569, she gave birth to her third and first surviving child of Akbar, Prince Salim. Akbar shifted his capital from Agra to Fatehpur Sikri in acknowledgement of his faith in the efficacy of the holy man's prayer, Sheikh Salim Chisti, whose blessings he sought for the birth of an heir to his empire.[11]

Architecture and Ornamentation

The double-storey bedroom complex of the palace.

Jodha Bai Palace was commissioned by Akbar in her honour and was the largest residential palace in his harem. It is also known as Raniwas and Zenani Dyodhi.[12] It shows the Rajput influence and is built around a courtyard, with special care being taken to ensure privacy. This palace building consists of a rectangular block with a single magnificent gateway on the eastern side, which was protected by guard rooms, having triangular ceilings and other apartments. The gateway of the palace is situated on the east side and is very magnificent and is of typical Rajasthani architecture. It has a magnificent double-storey complex which is the Khawabgah of the palace.

The majestic gateway of the Palace of Jodha Bai.

It also has a Hindu temple and a tulsi math used by his Hindu wife for worship. This palace was internally also connected to the palace of Akbar.[7] Several Hindu motifs have been used in the building alongside Lord Krishna depictions on the walls, which confirms that the occupant of the building was a Hindu lady.[12]

This palace has distinct Gujarati and Rajasthani architectural patterns.[13] Many motifs can be found in the interior like swans, elephants, parrots, Srivastava marks etc. There is a suite in the palace which served as a temple. It contains vedikas and other Hindu motifs. The suite has pillars with brackets. The western suite, which serves the purpose of the temple, contains beautiful curvilinear pillars with brackets. The superstructure of the building comprises chhatris, pillars with wall brackets, semicircular domes and several niches. The palace is built with red sandstone which also makes it very beautiful.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shabistan-i Iqbal.
  • Jodha Bai Mahal
    Jodha Bai Mahal
  • Entrance to Queen's Palace
    Entrance to Queen's Palace
  • The Rajasthani style influenced entrance to Empress Palace
    The Rajasthani style influenced entrance to Empress Palace
  • Courtyard with a tulsi math in Queen's Palace
    Courtyard with a tulsi math in Queen's Palace
  • Hindu architectural design on the pillars of the temple inside Jodha Bai Mahal
    Hindu architectural design on the pillars of the temple inside Jodha Bai Mahal
  • The main bedroom complex with a tulsi math in the middle of the courtyard
    The main bedroom complex with a tulsi math in the middle of the courtyard
  • Rajasthani style chattris in the faux window. A typical example of medieval period Hindu architecture
    Rajasthani style chattris in the faux window. A typical example of medieval period Hindu architecture
  • A window with Mughal and Rajasthani culture style
    A window with Mughal and Rajasthani culture style
  • The temple inside Jodha Bai Mahal
    The temple inside Jodha Bai Mahal
  • An example of the textural amalgamation of Mughal and Rajasthani design
    An example of the textural amalgamation of Mughal and Rajasthani design
  • A typical faux window design showing Rajasthani and Gujrat influence in the Palace
    A typical faux window design showing Rajasthani and Gujrat influence in the Palace

See also

References

  1. ^ Havell, E. B. (Ernest Binfield) (1918). The history of Aryan rule in India from the earliest times to the death of Akbar. The Library of Congress. New York, Frederick A. Stokes company. p. 463.
  2. ^ Foreign Department Of India (1905). References In The Press To The Visit Of Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince And Princess Of Wales To India, 1905-06. p. 421.
  3. ^ Lal, Muni (1977). Akbar. V.P. House Private ltd., Delhi. p. 179.
  4. ^ Agrawal, M.M. (2002). The Indian Encyclopedia. Vol. 15. Cosmos Publication, New Delhi. p. 4596.
  5. ^ "Jodha Bai's Palace Fatehpur Sikri".
  6. ^ Hunter, William W. (1881–1895). Lodge, Henry Cabot (ed.). The History of Nations: India and Modern Persia. Vol. 5. P.F. Collier & son, New York. p. 120. Mariam Zamani's palace in Fatehpur Sikri, mother of prince Salim, came to be known as Jodha Bai Palace. It stands as the biggest palace of Akbar's harem and is built as per distinctive Rajput architecture.
  7. ^ a b Lal, Muni (1977). Akbar. V.P. House Private ltd., Delhi. p. 179. Akbar's Khwabgah—dream-cottage—-a song of love in red sand¬ stone and white marble was where the ceremony of the, lifting of "the veil of every new wife he took was performed—and he took at least one every full moon. The guides in Fatehpur almost proudly stress that no woman—wife, concubine or mistress—shared the Khwabgah with the Emperor twice In her life-time. Jodha Bai was perhaps the only exception. The Padshah often invited her to the seclusion of the pleasure house "for company and a game of chess."
  8. ^ Aftab, Tahera (2008). Inscribing South Asian Muslim Women: An Annotated Bibliography & Research Guide. Leiden: Brill Publishers. p. 44.
  9. ^ Sarkar, Jadunath. A History of Jaipur: C. 1503-1938. pp. 35 & 43.
  10. ^ Hindu Shah, Muhammad Qasim (1595–1612). Gulshan-I-Ibrahimi. Vol. 2. p. 143. Akbur, after this conquest, made a pilgrimage to Khwaja Moyin-ood-Deen Chishty at Ajmere and returned to Agra; from whence he proceeded to visit the venerable Sheikh Sulim Chishty, in the village of Seekry. As all the king's children had hitherto died, he solicited the Sheikh's prayers, who consoled him, by assuring him he would soon have a son, who would live to a good old age. Shortly after, his favourite sooltana, being then pregnant, on Wednesday the 17th of Rubbee-ool-Awul, in the year 997 was delivered of a son, who was called Sulim.
  11. ^ Ahmad, Aziz (1964). Studies of Islamic culture in the Indian Environment. Clarendon Press.
  12. ^ a b "Jodha Bai's Palace Fatehpur Sikri".
  13. ^ "Jodha Bai Mahal".


Category:Mariam-uz-Zamani Category:Fatehpur Sikri Category:Forts in Uttar Pradesh Category:Mughal architecture Category:Buildings and structures in Agra district Category:Sandstone buildings in India Category:Royal residences in India Category:Tourist attractions in Agra district Category:Archaeological monuments in Uttar Pradesh Category:Akbar Category:1659 establishments in the Mughal Empire

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