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To the right of Jahangiri Mahal is Akbar's favorite queen
Jodha Bai`s Palace. In contrast to other palaces in the fort, it is
rather simple. Through the slits in the wall one can see the Taj.
Jodha Bai's Palace (Jodha Bai was Akbar's Rajput queen) has the most
distinctively Gujarati and Rajasthani architectural features. A
better place to take photographs is further on.
Fatehpur Sikri had a wall on three sides with mne gateways and also
had an artificial lake. The best examples of Akbar's buildings are
found in Fatehpur Sikri. It was designed as a grand capital with
schools, public buildings, palaces, and mosques interspersed with
terraces and gardens. The architectural style of these buildings has
Persian influence. There are many buildings of interest in this
capital. The Jodha Bai Palace is complete in its design and its
carved decoration resemble those of the Hindu temple architecture.
The architecture of the Palace of Jodha Bai is a fine specimen of
fusion of Hindu and Muslim styles. Hawa Mahal is a room whose walls
were made entirely of stone latticework with a view to enable the
ladies to watch the daily events in the palace.
Jodha Bai (Jodha Bai was Akbar's Rajput queen) has the most
distinctively Gujarati and Rajasthani architectural features. A
strong portal guards this place, which was the residence of Akbar's
prominent queens. Also noteworthy are Mariam's Palace or Sunehra
Makan (golden house), Palace of Birbal (one of Akbar's minister
notable for his witticisms) and a miniature garden.
Akbar, however, was born in India and did not live anywhere else.
As a result, he knew the land and its people. When Akbar came to the
throne in 1556, his kingdom did not stretch further than the Punjab
and the Delhi region. His chief minister, Bairam Khan, guided the
young king well, and Akbar soon began to conquer neighbouring
kingdoms.
In 1561, He conquered Malwa. This opened up the rich lands of
western India. The Rajput princes were powerful and militarily
skilful. Akbar handled them diplomatically. He allowed them to keep
their kingdoms, provided they acknowledged him as their overlord by
paying tribute and supplying him with soldiers. He sealed such
agreements by marriages with princesses of the Rajput royal clans.
In fact, although he was a Muslim, he married a Hindu Rajput
princess, Jodha Bai, sister of the then ruler of Jaipur Man Singh,
and allowed her to worship in her own way in the palace. Jahangir
was the son of Akbar and Jodhabai. Akbar showed no mercy to rulers
who opposed him, and it required great courage to resist him. But
once his authority was acknowledged, Akbar was just and generous to
Hindus and Muslims alike. Akbar ended the taxes that Hindus had to
pay when going on pilgrimage. He also abolished payments they had to
make if they did not do military service. In this way, Akbar
gradually won the cooperation of the Hindus, both rulers and people.
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