INTRODUCTION

Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar, also known as Akbar the Great, was

the son of Naseeruddin Humayun whom he succeeded as the
ruler of Mughal empire in India. He was the third Mughal ruler
after Babar and Humayun.He ruled the empire from 1556 to
1605, which spanned 49 years.

Akbar ascended the throne in 1556 at the age of 13 , following

the sudden death of Humayun . Till he came of age , Bairam Khan
, one of the most trusted generals of Humayun, ruled on his
behalf.

During Akbar’s rule, the Mughal empire reached its maximum

size and extended even till the Indian peninsula. North of
Godavari. This was achieved due to the various battles that were
won by Akbar’s army .

During his tenure Akbar introduced numerous administarative

reforms that were bold and revolutionary during that time. He
was one ruler who emphasised on fostering relations with Hindu
rulers for which he married Hindu princesses.This made him
popular among the Hindu men of his kingdom.

Akbar was also an artisan, inventor, animal trainer , technologist

and theologian. He initiated large collection of literature and
incorporated art from around the world into the Mughal
collections. He also commissioned the construction of widely
admired buildings , some of them being the Red fort in Agra,

AKBAR –
Fatehpur Sikri and Tomb of Salim Chisti. He also found his own
INTRODUCTION
religious cult, the Din-i-Ilahi.
 Unlike Humayun and Babur, when Akbar ascended the
throne, the social structure and stability were much
more profound in the kingdom. In addition, during the
early years of his rule, he was assisted by Bairam
Khan. So the conditions prevailing in the Mughal
empire during Akbar’s rule were favourable fo the
construction of buildings.This is one of the main
reasons for the construction of impressive structures
during his rule.

Akbar commissioned the construction of various

structures during his tenure, notable ones being the
city of Fatehpur Sikri, Tomb of Salim Chisti, the Red
Fort in Agra and the Buland Darwaza.
The architects of these structures were mainly of
Afghan or Persian origin and the construction
materials and workers were mainly from the Indian
subcontinent. So a mix of Indian and Persian styles can
be seen in these structures.

Besides having a socially and economically stable

empire, Akbar personally took keen interest in
architecture. He always encouraged all forms of art and
architecture was impotant among the arts.
Economically also the emire was stable due to the
various economicall reforms brought about by Akbar.
So money and material were also plenty and abundant.
AKBAR –
All these werePATRONAGE
important factors in determining Akbar’s
patronage of architecture.
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY

• Akbar’s reign… 1556-1605

• Major structures:
• Fatehpur sikri(1570-1574}
• Agra fort(1565)
• Agra new city, Fatehpur Sikri(1570)
• Sikandara (tomb of Akbar)

• Materials:
• Red sand stone
• Glazed tiles
• Burnt bricks
• Rubble masonry
• White marble

• Composite materials:
• Lime mortar: Unslaked lime, Coarse Sand and Stone dust of red sand stone
• Painted and carved stucco

AKBAR – CONSTRUCTION TECH. & MATERIALS

The Hindu crqaftsman’s mastery of stone work was exploited beyond its limit.
Massive circular bastions.
Slopes are created to prevent the elephants from entering with speed.
Water channels are used to cool the buildings.
Pre cut stone is brought to the site in case of Fatehpur Sikri.
This reduced the time of construction greatly.
The massive sandstone ramparts are an important element of Akbar’s design.
The square plan is majorly used.
Moats and double walls were used for the fortress.

Decorative Features:
tiles set in repetitive geometric patterns.
colourful frescos and calligraphy
Non Hindu motifs like elephants, birds and dragons were used.
Stone brackets were highly ornamental.
Mosaic patterns are also used.
Gateways were elaborately carved.
Intricate jaali work.
Screens and flat panels.
Semi precious stone is used.
Plygonal patterns in white marble were used at the end of his reign and there after.

AKBAR – CONSTRUCTION TECH. & MATERIALS

TECHNIQUES:
• Fusion of various architectural styles (hindu, muslim, jain,
persian, bengali, gujarati, turkish)
• Mostly typical mortar-masonry works formed of dressed stones.
Rubble masonry also used.
• Has used the hindu beam and pillar support system along with
the islamic domes.
• Did not use mortar in the entire city of fatehpur sikri.
• Used massive stone pillar( throne pillar) with capital and
brackets to support balcony on top (fatehpur sikri)
• Used capitals in the form of bracket support
• Used in-situ sandstone thus varying the quality of sandstone in
various buildings.
• Burnt clay brick walls were constructed, with sand stone cladding
on the surfaces.
• Arched niches are widely prevalent in Akbar’s structures.
• First ever use of the Persian dome and Low dome in Indian sub
continent.
Bibliography
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/MUGHAL/FATEHPUR.HTM
www.islamicart.com/library/empires/india/akbar.html - 24k
Michael Brand and Glenn D. Lowry. Fatehpur-Sikri. Bombay: Marg Publications, 1987
http://www.archiplanet.org/wiki/Fatehpur_Sikri
http://www.culturopedia.com/Architecture/indoislamic.html
http://www.culturopedia.com/Architecture/mughalstyle.html
http://asi.nic.in/asi_pgallery.asp
http://asi.nic.in/tenders/agra_122.pdf
http://www.agraindia.org.uk/agra-fort/index.html
http://india-seminar.com/2004/542/542%20ravindra%20gundu%20rao.htm
http://www.archnet.org/library/pubdownloader/pdf/3566/doc/DPT0788.pdf
www.mughalgardens.org/html/sheikhupura_shahdara.html

AKBAR – CONSTRUCTION TECH. & MATERIALS

FORTS
RED FORT at AGRA (1564-80) :
The walls of the Fort, like most of Akbar's numerous buildings within them, are
faced in red sandstone. The walls are inlaid with careful white marble detail,
creating a sense of richness and great power. Of Akbar's several palaces,
only the Jahangir Mahal, a zenana, or women's palace, remains to this day.
Gateway to the fort

AKBAR’S FORT at LAHORE:

The fort was more or less rectangular in shape (380 by 330 metres) with the long
northern side facing the Ravi River. It carries panels of ceramic mosaic on its outer
walls. Ceramic tile work,
Lahore Fort
HALLS
• Diwan-i-khaas
• Diwan-i-aam
• House of Rajah Burpal
• House of the Turkish consort
• Macchhi Bhawan

PALACES
PANCH MAHAL ( Fatehpur Sikri):
Rises through 5 storeys , each diminishing in size as one goes higher up.
HAWA MAHAL ( Fatehpur Sikri)
JAHANGIR MAHAL ( Red Fort at Agra):
This palace was built by Akbar as a residence for his son Salim.

AKBAR - BUILDING TYPOLOGY

SHEESH MAHAL ( Red Fort at Agra):
It is believed to have been the royal dressing room and its walls are inlaid with tiny mirrors, one
of the best specimens of glass-mosaic decoration in India.

MOSQUES
JAMA MASJID ( Fatehpur Sikri), 1571-96 :
It follows the regular mosque plan with a central pavilion boasting triple domes. Its rectangular
arcade is interrupted by entrances, a teaching chamber and the multi-coloured prayer hall.
MOTI MASJID ( Lahore Fort)
TOMBS
TOMB OF SHEIKH SALIM CHISTI ( Fatehpur Sikri), c.1580 and c.1610 :

It is square in plan surmounted by a dome. The sepulchral chamber is

surrounded by an ambulatory path, entirely enclosed within pierced
marble panels set between marble posts.
HUMAYUN’S TOMB
It was built under the patronage of Akbar.
GATES
DELHI GATE & AMAR SINGH GATE ( Red Fort at Agra) :
The main entrance to the fort is the Delhi Gate ,to the
west.
The Amar Singh gate to the south is defended by two
barbicans , the outer one an irregular wedge between Delhi Gate
Amar Singh Gate
the inner and outer curtain walls

AKBAR - BUILDING TYPOLOGY

BULAND DARWAZA (Fatehpur Sikri), 1596:
The south gate of Fatehpur Sikri was rebuilt as the Buland Darwaza- a
triumphal monument

CITY
FATEHPUR SIKRI, 1569- 1580:
Sikri was the first planned city of the Mughals. The sloping levels of the city were connected into
terraces which were utilized for various complexes. An efficient system of drainage and water-
supply was adopted here. It was in basic terms, a palace and a cantonment coupled with a
congregational mosque.
LAKES, PAVILIONS and BRIDGES
ANUP TALAB (Fatehpur Sikri) :
It is a square pool with a central island approached by bridges from each
of the four sides.
GARDENS:
CHARBAGH GARDEN
These gardens are private and formal - the basic structure consist of four divided corners.
These are often divided by waterways or pathways.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Sir Banister Fletcher, A History of Architecture
Percy brown, History of Indian Architecture
Bamber Gascoigne, The Great Moghuls
www.asi.nic.in
www.wikipedia.com

AKBAR - BUILDING TYPOLOGY

RED FORT at AGRA (1564-80) :
The fortress is palatial with large grounds. The proportions of the built responded to the human
scale. The massive fort walls ensured the security of the residents of the fort.
AKBAR’S FORT at LAHORE:
As human worship and its representation are not allowed in Islam, the designs are rich in
geometry and arabesque designs.
FATEHPUR SIKRI :
The city’s architecture was more of a compilation as the chunks and slabs of
stone were pre-structured. This resulted in less time for workmanship. Akbar
believed in tolerance for all religions. Thus, one can find symbolism and
workmanship of Hindu-style architecture incorporated in his buildings. Akbar
used to derive inspiration of the roof from the roof of tents.

JAMA MASJID ( Fatehpur Sikri), 1571-96 : The astrologer’s seat

The mosque was a congregational place surrounded by arcaded cloisters

surmounted by a continuous frieze of chhatris. Thus, offers for semi-open
and open spaces.
TOMB OF SHEIKH SALIM CHISTI ( Fatehpur Sikri), c.1580 and c.1610 :
It is refined in detail, square in plan and surmounted by a simple dome.
BULAND DARWAZA ( Fatehpur Sikri), c.1580 and c.1610 :
It is a triumphal monument. The gate stands at the head of a pyramid of
steps. The built is much huge than the human scale. This monument of
victory also gave a feeling of security to the people.
Jama masjid,
Fatehpur Sikri

AKBAR – INTERPRETATION & MEANING

SKETCHES

DOMED PAVILIONS

GEOMETRIC & ARABESQUE

DESIGNS

BULAND DARWAZA

CHARBAGH GARDENS
MINARETS- WATCH TOWERS

AKBAR – INTERPRETATION & MEANING