Jahangiri Mahal Agra Fort: History, Architecture and inheritance of Akbars Palace.
Agra Fort: Jahangiri Mahal, source Wikipedia
Introduction
Jahangiri Mahal is
considered to be one of the best specimens of Mughal architecture in India.
This palace, located within the fort of Agra, is not just a royal home but also
a great record of Mughal art, culture and architecture. It was constructed
under the reign of the Emperor Akbar, and is known by the name of his son
Emperor Jahangir. The visitors are still captivated by the beautiful sculptures
of red sandstone, the blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture and the history
house atmosphere.
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| The Hauz-i-Jahangiri is made out of one single block of stone source Wikipedia |
History
Jahangiri Mahal
was constructed under the Akbar Mughal Emperor (1556-1605 AD). Initially, the
palace was adopted as the home of the women of the royal family and most
importantly the Rajput queens. Akbar constructed the palace in the blend of
Hindu and Islamic architectural styles, which show his religious tolerance and
taste. In spite of the fact that it was constructed during the period of Akbar,
the later emperor Jahangir (1605-1627 AD). This was his place of work and
residence. That is why it is referred to as Jahangir Mahal. It was part of the
most significant residences of the Agra fort during the Mughal period where
royal ceremonies, meetings, and family residences were combined. It is today
recognized as one of the most historic as well as architectural landmarks of
India.
Location
The Jehangir Mahal
is found within the Agra fort within the city of Agra, Uttar Pradesh. It is
situated in the south of the original fort and it is a UNESCO world heritage.
The
founder
Emperor Akbar
(1556-1605 AD) constructed Jahangiri Mahal. It was initially constructed on
behalf of her son Nuruddin Muhammad Selim (who will become an emperor later in
his life as Jahangir) and was supposed to accommodate the women of the royal
family. Akbar built this palace to Jahangir. The Jahangiri Mahal was
constructed inside the Agra Fort by Akbar in honour of his favourite son
Jahangir. It is a beautiful amalgamation of the Mughal and Hindu architecture
where the aspect of the Rajput palaces and the Mughal artisanship are fused.
The Story of Jahangir Mahal
The Jahangir Mahal has a number of legends
around its history. History records that this palace was first constructed by
Akbar on behalf of the women in the royal family particularly as the resting
place of his Rajput queens. The name of Jahangir was later added to this
palace. It is assumed that one of the sections of the palace was designated
particularly to the son of Akbar Salim (who later became Emperor Jahangir) at
the time when he was a teenager. Consequently, the palace got the name
Jahangiri Mahal.
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| Side view of the Mahal, photo source Social Media |
The mystery of the castle
Even though the
Jahangiri Palace is referred as a royal dwelling, researchers are curious of
the secret rooms, underground tunnels and crafts within the palace. They say
that the palace had some structures within, which could serve the purpose of
secret meeting rooms or the storage of wealth by the royal family. Other than
this, the architecture carved out of red sandstone and the combination of Hindu
and Islamic traditions rendered it mystical. The mixture of Rajput style and
Mughal style is especially prominent among them.
Conclusion
Jahangiri Mahal is
not just the ancient palace, but also the splendid testimony to the Mughal
history and architecture. The open-minded policy of Akbar, his interest in art
and culture and the combination of Rajput and Mughal architecture can be traced
in each stone and brick of this palace. It is not of the name of Jahangir,
however, but a special production of the architectural genius of Akbar. It is
also among the attractions in the present day as a part of UNESCO World
Heritage that is visited by history lovers, domestic as well as foreign
travelers.
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