Anoop Talab or Talao, First Courtyard, Fatehpur Sikri, UP, India.
Akbar was a brave, intelligent and visionary emperor as well as an art and music lover. Anoop Talav is an artistic and historically significant monument, which is worth visiting and has associated memories of the great composer.
It’s a wheel chair accessible monument situated close to the emperor Akbar’s Khwabgah and Panch Mahal in the Daulat Khana principal Courtyard. One of the most significant venue.
One just can imagine the magnificence of Fatehpur Sikri, which was built by the emperor Akbar who was passionate towards architecture, religions, arts and culture. Annop Talao is referred as Peerless Pool in fact it was a matchless venue. It’s restored by the Archaeological Survey of India as many noteworthy structures are restored and for some restoration work is under process.
This is a square shaped pool in its centre a square platform is built. This is a unique structure. Its roof is supported by rectangular plain red stone pillars. Corner’s and central pillars are double pillars. Capitals are decorated with carvings. Lintels are plain and plain cornice. Friez is carved with continuous arches and center with diamond and circles alternately. Below the band of Greek Crosses in the same panel. A drip course above this relief work for the protection. Roof level is same as of Courtyard. Roof border is having carved lace of leaves and balustrade which are having magnificent stone screens with octagonal and other complex geometrical motifs. It has magnificent architectural feature as connected to Courtyard through four stone bridges which are supported by stone pillars. On the centre of this structure a square platform which is raised about a meter from the roof top. Actually this was the seat of great classical mastero Tansen.
In his court, there was also the great musician of his time, Tansen who was a disciple of Guru Haridas after whom he was a disciple of the great Sufi saint Ghaus Muhammad Khan. Leaving Gwalior, he joined the court of the King of Rewa. Impressed by his fame, Akbar requested to adorn the Mughal court and he was among the nine jewels. He used to perform on this special stage. According to the legend another great classical mastero Baiju Bawra whose name was Baijnath Misra and was also the desciple of the Guru Haridas joined a music competition held on this terrace or stage in which Tansen lost.
It’s a magnificent monument and unique example of Mughal architecture.
