It took about 40 minutes to get to Fatehpur-Sikri from Agra (I fell asleep for 10 of those minutes). Because red sandstone was plentiful in the area, it was used to construct the different pavilions in the compound. Fatehpur-Sikri is renowned for having one of the best preserved collections of buildings representative of Mughal Architecture. We had to take a mini bus up to the top of a rocky ridge where this ancient city was built. Greeting us were trained craftsmen who were working to restore the site to its original glory. Everything was done by hand just like it was centuries ago.
The DIWAN KHANA-I-AM was where Akbar (Shah Jahan's grandfather) conducted the business of running his empire. As the sign says, this was where he saw to and dispensed his style of justice.
The stone ring you see on the ground amidst the grass is where a great big elephant was chained to. It was said that those sentenced by Akbar to death was brought here and trampled into the afterlife by that elephant (another one of Deepaks little morsels of history). Of course, among all the information that was fed us, I chose to remember this grisly one.
The DIWAN-I-KHAS is known as the Hall of Private Audience and is easily recognised because of this exquisitely central pillar carved from a single block of sandstone. This pillar supported a circular platform where four bridge ways extended out into the outer walls of the building. This is where Akbar would receive representatives of different religions to discuss faith with.
Of all the structures at the site I found the Panch Mahal the most interesting. Pyramidal in shape, the Wind Tower had five open asymmetric levels that started with a wide base and was topped by a large dome at the highest point. These levels were supported by intricately carved columns and may have had carved stone screens in the past for privacy. Being the highest structure on top of a hill allows for a nice breeze. Members of the Mughal's family would hang out here at sundown and enjoy the view and each other's company. Each tier denoted how important you were in the hierarchy. Guess what? The queen got to stay at the topmost level. I suppose whipped rulers were also fairly common in those days.
I apologise as my tired mind could no longer remember what this building is, but I'm sure it belonged to someone important to the Emperor.
And with that, Deepak, our guide bade us adieu, so long, farewell. We then hurriedly went to find place to fill our empty stomachs. Jaipur was a long way away and our minds were numbed with fatigue...well, mine was...
The road to Jaipur was mostly flat expanse. Once in a while fields filled with yellow mustard flowers would stretch along the side of the highway. It was also of note that there were not many bodies of water along our route. Rivers were as rare as a McDonald's outlet (I only saw 2 in our 7 days in India and they were not even in urban centers).
As light began to fade, I could discern a slight change in our car's pitch. We were beginning our ascent and Jaipur was not far ahead. Soon, winding roads emerged and we zigged and zagged onto higher elevations. After hours spent on the road I couldn't wait to get to our hotel, but being deprived of the opportunity to shop in the last 2 days, my travelling companions had other ideas and decided on a detour. Jaipur is known for Pashmina shawls, Persian carpets and Precious stones.
After a few purchases, we were again headed in the right direction towards comfort. At the gate of our hotel, the guards on duty made sure we were who we said we were. Apparently, getting into a hotel in India is akin to entering Fort Knox. Security is very tight, tighter than a gnats a$$ (pardon my French).
Because of the higher elevation, it was chilly out (about 5C) and through my winter clothes, the wind bit into my sensitive dermis. Out hotel used to be a villa that belonged to a former Mughal's personal Physician and it was truly befitting. There was an area off the garden where some entertainment was available nightly. There were dances...
Puppet shows...
and a nice warm fire...
No, that's not me in the black jacket.
After a nice late dinner we could finally feel the day's fatigue settle into our bones. It was time to call it a day.
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