Jodha Bai Mahal

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia
Information red.svg
Scan the QR code to donate via UPI
Dear reader, We need your support to keep the flame of knowledge burning bright! Our hosting server bill is due on June 1st, and without your help, Bharatpedia faces the risk of shutdown. We've come a long way together in exploring and celebrating our rich heritage. Now, let's unite to ensure Bharatpedia continues to be a beacon of knowledge for generations to come. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference. Together, let's preserve and share the essence of Bharat.

Thank you for being part of the Bharatpedia family!
Please scan the QR code on the right click here to donate.

0%

   

transparency: ₹0 raised out of ₹100,000 (0 supporter)



Backside of the grand gateway of Jodha Bai Mahal in Fatehpur Sikri

Jodha Bai Mahal also known as Jodh Bai Mahal is one of the largest and most prominent palaces[1] in Fatehpur Sikri commissioned by Mughal Emperor Akbar after 1569 for his favourite wife, Mariam-uz-Zamani, commonly known as 'Jodha bai' .[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] This Mahal is the largest complex of the zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household).[4] It is a masterpiece of the fusion of Hindu and Persian architecture made with red sandstone.[10]

History[edit]

Jodha Bai Mahal In Fatehpur Sikri

"Having conducted a matrimonial alliance with the Hindu princess, Akbar spared no pains in making her new home resemble her old as much as possible"

— Edmund W. Smith, Moghul Architecture of Fathpur Sikri (1973)[11]

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.[12][13] She gradually became his favourite wife and was the first wife of Akbar to honour the royal household with an heir.[14] 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.[15] The construction in Sikri started in 1569 and a grand palace was established for the empress and her newborn son, prince Salim. This was the biggest residential palace in the city, and to this day it stands, though in ruins, as a monument of Akbar's love for the Amber princess.[16]

Architecture and ornamentation[edit]

The distinctive Hindu style temple inside the palace used by the queen for worshipping

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.[17] 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.[10] 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.[17]

This palace has distinct Gujarati and Rajasthani architectural patterns.[18] 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.

Gallery[edit]

  • The bedroom complex inside the palace

    The bedroom complex inside the palace

  • 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

  • Tulsi math in front of the temple in queen's Palace

    Tulsi math in front of the temple 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

  • Temple with a tulsi math in the middle of the courtyard

    Temple 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 open style Hindu temple inside the palace

    The open style Hindu temple inside the palace

  • 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[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Havell, Ernest Binfield (1907). A Handbook to Agra and Taj. p. 121.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lal, Muni (1977). Akbar. V.P. House Private ltd., Delhi. p. 179.
  5. ↑ Agrawal, M. M. (2002). The Indian Encyclopedia. Vol. 15. Cosmos Publication, New Delhi. p. 4596.
  6. ↑ "Jodha Bai's Palace Fatehpur Sikri".
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Smith, Vincent Arthur (1917). Akbar the Great Mogul, 1542-1605. Cornell University Library. Oxford: Clarendon Press. p. 106.
  9. ↑ Smith, Edmund W. (1973). Moghul architecture of Fathpur-Sikri pt.2. p. 18.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 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 lifetime. Jodha Bai was perhaps the only exception. The Padshah often invited her to the seclusion of the pleasure house "for the company and a game of chess."
  11. ↑ Smith, Edmund W. (1973). Moghul Architecture of Fathpur Sikri, pt 2. p. 29.
  12. ↑ Aftab, Tahera (2008). Inscribing South Asian Muslim Women: An Annotated Bibliography & Research Guide. Leiden: Brill Publishers. p. 44.
  13. ↑ Sarkar, Jadunath. A History of Jaipur: C. 1503-1938. pp. 35 & 43.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ Ahmad, Aziz (1964). Studies of Islamic culture in the Indian Environment. Clarendon Press.
  16. ↑ Lal 1980, p. 170.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Jodha Bai's Palace Fatehpur Sikri".
  18. ↑ "Jodha Bai Mahal".

External links[edit]

Coordinates: 27°05′47″N 77°39′53″E / 27.0965°N 77.6648°E / 27.0965; 77.6648

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/index.php?title=Jodha_Bai_Mahal&oldid=375907"