Panch Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, UP, India.
Emperor Akbar gave a new dimension to Mughal architecture. Combining the techniques of local, regional and contemporary architecture and construction engineering, selected skilled craftsmen and skilled engineers to construct magnificent buildings that still stand firmly today and prove that even the stones speak. One such magnificent monument is the Panchmahal which is worth seeing in Fatehpur Sikri.
It’s also known as the Badgir means " The Tower of Wind " but it’s commonly known as
Panch mahal. This structure has five storeys built by red stone quarried from Fatehpur Sikri on a raised platform. Each storey is rectangular, decreasing in size compared to the lower one. And the top storey is the square in shape and smallest one just a pavilion adorned by a dome which is supported by four octagonal thin pillar’s shaft their bases are carved with arbasque motifs and shaft alternate faces below capitals are changed into leaf. Having ornamented capitals, frize and cornice dome is erected on actagonal drum which is having decorated summit and below is the cornice and hangings a protection against rain.
It has excellent pillars beams arrangements.
The structure contains 176 columns of which the ground floor has eighty four columns. The ground floor pillars are having decorated rectangular bases for single and double pillars. Shafts are octagonal only alternate faces are transformed to leaf. Projected capital’s outer faces, between lintels and end, center of the lintels outer and bottom faces are brilliantly carved with blossom lotuses. Capitals, lintels or archatraves, friez, cornice, hangings chajjas and flat roof means total entablature is splendid. The first storey has fifty six, the second twenty the third twelve, and the top storey has four These columns are richly carved and provide interesting varieties of design and ornamentations. As the first storey stone pillars are decorated with diverse carving designs on shafts, some octagonal bases for circular pillars with helical carvings on the shafts, some shafts are with diamond or studded patterns overall entablature is remarkable built by the natural unpolished red stone. Adequate rain protection by the provisions of stone hangings or chajjas and unique pierced stone screens railings, no two screens are similar. This structure or building is attached to the Principal Haram which is Jodha Bai’s Place through staircase.
This building is facing and overlooking the Royal Courtyard. Where Anoop Talao, Pachhisi Court etc were the royal entertainment venues.
This structure was planned to witness the various musical concerts, dances, games etc by the royal ladies, royal members and Emperor used to occupy the uppermost floor with his consort. Akbar’s court was having the excellent artists like Tansen who was a great classical mastero, etc. For this all floors facades may be having the provisions of veiled pierced stone screens. Tourist guides will say little about the Akbar’s wife and a cooked up story that Principal Consort was Muslim so she goes to top to watch the crescent, and Hindu wife for offering the Worship to Sun etc. Though it was meant for royal recreation and leisure even to enjoy the breeze and moonlight. Torche holders are provided. This monument is magnificent example of classical architecture built by emperor Akbar. Now tourists are not having access to the upper floors.
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