Shah Jahan had grown older, and his health was declining. This created a power vacuum among his four sons: Dara Shikoh, Aurangzeb, Shah Shuja, and Murad Baksh. Shah Jahan favored his eldest son, Dara Shikoh, a liberal and philosophical prince, as his successor. Dara was beside him in his capital at Agra. When his sons heard news of his poor health, they began to march from different areas of the country: Shah Shuja from Bengal, Murad from Gujarat, and Aurangzeb from the Deccan. Shah Shuja, advanced with a powerful army, supported by warboats along the Ganges. However, Dara Shikoh’s forces defeated him at the Battle of Bahadurpur near Banaras. Shuja retreated to Rajmahal, regrouped, and signed a treaty with Dara, controlling Bengal, Orissa, and parts of Bihar. Meanwhile, Murad Baksh, governor of Gujarat, allied with Aurangzeb. Together, they decisively defeated Dara’s army in two crucial battles, Dharmat and Samugarh, with Murad’s fierce cavalry charge sealing victory at Samugarh. Aurangzeb’s cunning soon extended to his ally. On July 7, 1658, Murad, intoxicated in a tent with Aurangzeb, was imprisoned and later executed after a trial. Dara Shikoh met a similar fate, charged with heresy and executed. Shuja made another attempt to seize the throne but was crushed by Aurangzeb at the Battle of Khajwa in 1659 from where he fled to Arakan (modern-day Myanmar) where he was later murdered. Aurangzeb then imprisoned Shah Jahan in the Agra Fort in 1658. The official reason cited was the emperor’s failing health, but it was a calculated move to eliminate any threat to Aurangzeb’s rule. Shah Jahan spent his final years under strict watch, gazing at the Taj Mahal, the mausoleum he had built in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Shah Jahan had grown older, and his health was declining. This created a power vacuum among his four sons: Dara Shikoh, Aurangzeb, Shah Shuja, and Murad Baksh. Shah Jahan favored his eldest son, Dara Shikoh, a liberal and philosophical prince, as his successor. Dara was beside him in his capital at Agra.
When his sons heard news of his poor health, they began to march from different areas of the country: Shah Shuja from Bengal, Murad from Gujarat, and Aurangzeb from the Deccan. Shah Shuja, advanced with a powerful army, supported by warboats along the Ganges. However, Dara Shikoh’s forces defeated him at the Battle of Bahadurpur near Banaras. Shuja retreated to Rajmahal, regrouped, and signed a treaty with Dara, controlling Bengal, Orissa, and parts of Bihar. Meanwhile, Murad Baksh, governor of Gujarat, allied with Aurangzeb. Together, they decisively defeated Dara’s army in two crucial battles, Dharmat and Samugarh, with Murad’s fierce cavalry charge sealing victory at Samugarh.
Aurangzeb’s cunning soon extended to his ally. On July 7, 1658, Murad, intoxicated in a tent with Aurangzeb, was imprisoned and later executed after a trial.
Dara Shikoh met a similar fate, charged with heresy and executed. Shuja made another attempt to seize the throne but was crushed by Aurangzeb at the Battle of Khajwa in 1659 from where he fled to Arakan (modern-day Myanmar) where he was later murdered.
Aurangzeb then imprisoned Shah Jahan in the Agra Fort in 1658. The official reason cited was the emperor’s failing health, but it was a calculated move to eliminate any threat to Aurangzeb’s rule. Shah Jahan spent his final years under strict watch, gazing at the Taj Mahal, the mausoleum he had built in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Whenever you read a book about Fatehpur Sikri or watch a documentary, you are told about the fascinating story of 3rd Mughal Akbar and his endeavors, fancy story of a saint and grand structures built by Akbar during his stay here and afterwards as well. But today we will learn about an old controversy associated with this place. I am sure that you will be surprised to know a few facts and evidences which will change your perspective towards this historical monument. Fatehpur Sikri is about 35 km from Agra city near the border of Rajasthan. It was the capital of the Mughal Sultanate from 1571 to 1585. Here Mughal emperor Akbar built many palaces. Built the lofty door. Along with this, a red stone dargah of Muslim saint Sheikh Salim Chishti was built. It was later made of white marble by Mughal emperor Jahangir. Fatehpur Sikri is a tourist town. Every day, thousands of tourists, both domestic and foreign, visit the Fatehpur Sikri Memorial, Buland Darwaza and the Dargah (shrine) of Sheikh Salim Chisti to pay obeisance. The Archaeological Survey of India is responsible for its maintenance. Salim Chishti Tomb taken by Samuel Bourne in 1865. Buland Darwaza, source: Internet Salim was born in the forest of Sikri: Senior historian says that in my book 'Yeh Kaisa Itihas' it is written that the first two sons of the Mughal emperor died at a young age. Akbar was very hurt by this. He started taking blessings from saints and mahatmas. When Akbar heard about Sheikh Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer, he made a vow that if a son was born, he would go to Ajmer on foot. I met Sheikh Salim Chishti, a Muslim saint living in the forest of Sikri, far from Agra. Sheikh Salim Chishti said that there
Whenever you read a book about Fatehpur Sikri or watch a documentary, you are told about the fascinating story of 3rd Mughal Akbar and his endeavors, fancy story of a saint and grand structures built by Akbar during his stay here and afterwards as well. But today we will learn about an old controversy associated with this place. I am sure that you will be surprised to know a few facts and evidences which will change your perspective towards this historical monument.
Fatehpur Sikri is about 35 km from Agra city near the border of Rajasthan. It was the capital of the Mughal Sultanate from 1571 to 1585. Here Mughal emperor Akbar built many palaces. Built the lofty door. Along with this, a red stone dargah of Muslim saint Sheikh Salim Chishti was built. It was later made of white marble by Mughal emperor Jahangir. Fatehpur Sikri is a tourist town. Every day, thousands of tourists, both domestic and foreign, visit the Fatehpur Sikri Memorial, Buland Darwaza and the Dargah (shrine) of Sheikh Salim Chisti to pay obeisance. The Archaeological Survey of India is responsible for its maintenance.
Salim Chishti Tomb taken by Samuel Bourne in 1865.Buland Darwaza, source: Internet
Salim was born in the forest of Sikri: Senior historian says that in my book ‘Yeh Kaisa Itihas’ it is written that the first two sons of the Mughal emperor died at a young age. Akbar was very hurt by this. He started taking blessings from saints and mahatmas. When Akbar heard about Sheikh Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer, he made a vow that if a son was born, he would go to Ajmer on foot. I met Sheikh Salim Chishti, a Muslim saint living in the forest of Sikri, far from Agra. Sheikh Salim Chishti said that there will be three sons. On this, Akbar said, “I will give away my son in your service.”
An illustration of Akbar praying Salim Chishti.
When Akbar’s queen Harka Bai aka Jodha (a popular name) became pregnant, Akbar sent the queen to Sheikh Salim Chishti in the last time of pregnancy. There he had a son. They named him Salim. This Salim later became Jahangir. On this, Akbar built the dargah of Sheikh Salim Chishti in Fatehpur Sikri.
When Akbar’s queen Harka Bai aka Jodha (a popular name) became pregnant, Akbar sent the queen to Sheikh Salim Chishti in the last time of pregnancy. There he had a son. They named him Salim. This Salim later became Jahangir. On this, Akbar built the dargah of Sheikh Salim Chishti in Fatehpur Sikri.
Senior historian says that the battle between Mughal dynasty founder Babur and Maharaja Rana Sanga of Mewar took place in Khanwa near Fatehpur Sikri
Rajput king Rana Sanga was defeated in this war. Only after this, the foundation of the Mughal dynasty was laid in India. The Mughal emperor considered Sikri auspicious for himself. Therefore, he shifted from Agra to Fatehpur in 1571. However, due to the water crisis, Akbar had to shift his capital from Fatehpur Sikri.
Controversy
A controversy has emerged over the dargah of Muslim saint Sheikh Salim Chishti located in Fatehpur Sikri. The Kshatriya Shaktipeeth (Temple dedicated to one or the other incarnation of Goddess Durga) Development Trust has approached the court regarding this. The trust has claimed that the place where the dargah of Sheikh Salim Chishti is located, there was a Kamakhya temple earlier. Sikri was the first capital of the Sikarwar Rajput kings. It was not built by Akbar. Akbar made only Fatehpur Sikri his capital.
In this, historians revealed that this area was earlier surrounded by the hills of Aravalli. Talking about the post-Paleolithic period, there were primitive humans in the caves of these hills. When did Sikri become a refuge for humans, how it got its name Fatehpur Sikri, read the details.
Senior historian Raj Kishore ‘Raje’ explains that in the post-Paleolithic period, this area was surrounded by forest and Aravalli hills. There was a big lake between the hills. Primitive humans lived in caves in the caves of the Aravalli hills. My book ‘Tawarikh-e-Agra’ traces the 7,000-year-old history of Agra and its surroundings. Due to mining, all the hills of Aravalli were destroyed. There are still some hills left in village Patsal, village Rasulpur, Madanpura and Jajali. In which there are rock shelters or caves of primitive humans. They were discovered by archaeologist Dr. Girraj Kumar, secretary of the Rock Art Society of India. Even today, there are frescoes made by primitive humans in the caves of these remaining hills. They are plants, animals, groups, dances, weapons. These are now being preserved by the ASI.
Rock paintings near Fatehpur Sikri
Senior historian Rajkishore ‘Raje’ explains that the ancient name of Fatehpur Sikri is written in many books. Senior historian PN Oak in his book ‘Bhartiya Itihas Ki Bhayankar Bhoolen’ (Terrible Blunders of Indian History) writes that the word Sikri is derived from the Sanskrit root word sikta i.e. sand. Such a place in the sandy Rajasthani section is called Sikar. Sikar’s feminine word is Sikri. Another such writer in his book mentions Fatehpur Sikri in the Mahabharata as Saic. Sack means one who is surrounded by water from all sides. When ASI excavated between 1999 and 2000, all the idols of Jainism were found here. Statues of Buddhism were also found.
Sruti Devi Jaina Saraswati (1010 A.D.) – Fatehpur Sikri Archaeological MuseumAmbika (7th – 8th century A.D.) – Fatehpur Sikri Archaeological MuseumMonkey figure (2nd century B.C. – 2nd century A.D.) – Fatehpur Sikri Archaeological Museum
According to the senior historian, there is a lot to know about what was at this place before this tomb. Along with this, there is also a need for excavation. A suit has been filed in the court. The truth of the claim can be ascertained by research and excavation.
God Ram sculpture on one of the pillars od Mariam Zamani palaceJain Temple Sculpture on one of the brackets
Advocate Ajay Pratap Singh of Kshatriya Shaktipeeth Vikas Trust said that Mata Kamakhya, Asthan Mata Kamakhya, Arya Sanskriti Preservation Trust, Yogeshwar Sri Krishna Cultural Research Institute Trust, Kshatriya Shaktipeeth Development Trust have filed a suit in the court. In this, the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board, Management Committee Dargah Salim Chishti, Management Committee Jama Masjid have been made respondents. We have claimed in the suit that the temple of Kamakhya Mata was earlier located in place of the dargah of Salim Chishti in Fatehpur Sikri. Many evidences were found in the excavation of ASI.
Former ASI officer DB Sharma has described the construction of the suit property from the remains of Hindu and Jain temples on page number 86 of his book ‘Archaeology of Fatehpur Sikri – New Discoveries’. DB Sharma had excavated the ‘Bir Chhabili’ mound of Fatehpur Sikri during his tenure. Maa Saraswati and Jain idols were found in it. Their period was said to be around 1000 AD. Along with this, British officer EB Havells has described the pillars and roof of the suit property as Hindu sculpture. They have denied it is a mosque. In this case, the court has issued notice to the respondents and the matter is sub judice.
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Hello everyone, hope you enjoyed reading my last blog which was about the extraordinary foundation of the Taj mahal. Today in this blog you will get to know another interesting thing about this fabulous architectural marvel and it is about it's beautiful minarets. The Taj Mahal looks unique because of it's beautifully built minarets built around it. But do you know that this also has an interesting story behind. in this context you will have to see a few pictures of few monuments, such as Tomb of Itimad ud daula or the Royal gate of the Taj Mahal or even both the adjacent structures. for your reference please these pictures below The Tomb Of Itimad Ud Daula aka Baby Taj Royal gate Mosque of the Taj Mahal( Western Building) You must have noticed that all these referred building have four minarets attached to them, which was an architectural compulsion. So this was supposed to be applied at the Taj mahal too. Emperor Shahjahan who was the builder of the Taj Mahal wanted to build the Taj mahal bigger then any other previous mausoleums i.e. Akbar's mausoleum in Agra and Humayun's Tomb in Delhi. But the foundation of the Taj mahal had its limitations. So the team of architects after long discourse, they came to a conclusion that if the can not make the Taj mahal desirably big at least they can make it look bigger. This brought the Idea of separating it's minarets away and build it a distance from the main mausoleum. But again, this too was not so easy as if they would have built these minarets in usual pattern, the Taj mahal would have not been this beautiful because a normal tower or minaret is constructed with a wide base and tapering upper construction with narrow top.
Hello everyone,
hope you enjoyed reading my last blog which was about the extraordinary foundation of the Taj mahal.
Today in this blog you will get to know another interesting thing about this fabulous architectural marvel and it is about it’s beautiful minarets.
The Taj Mahal looks unique because of it’s beautifully built minarets built around it. But do you know that this also has an interesting story behind.
in this context you will have to see a few pictures of few monuments, such as Tomb of Itimad ud daula or the Royal gate of the Taj Mahal or even both the adjacent structures. for your reference please these pictures below
The Tomb Of Itimad Ud Daula aka Baby TajRoyal gateMosque of the Taj Mahal( Western Building)
You must have noticed that all these referred building have four minarets attached to them, which was an architectural compulsion. So this was supposed to be applied at the Taj mahal too.
Emperor Shahjahan who was the builder of the Taj Mahal wanted to build the Taj mahal bigger then any other previous mausoleums i.e. Akbar’s mausoleum in Agra and Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi.
But the foundation of the Taj mahal had its limitations. So the team of architects after long discourse, they came to a conclusion that if the can not make the Taj mahal desirably big at least they can make it look bigger.
This brought the Idea of separating it’s minarets away and build it a distance from the main mausoleum.
But again, this too was not so easy as if they would have built these minarets in usual pattern, the Taj mahal would have not been this beautiful because a normal tower or minaret is constructed with a wide base and tapering upper construction with narrow top. Isn’t it ? see the picture below for reference
If the Taj mahal had all it’s tower/minarets built in same technique, it would have looked as if it is tapering or squeezing at the top. so to counter this architectural issue they built all the towers around the Taj mahal in a way that the outer walls of all the towers become straight and parallel to the corner walls of the Taj Mahal and this is why the inner walls (wall facing the Taj mahal) of these towers look leaning away from the Taj Mahal( due to tapering reason).
And this makes the Taj mahal look perfectly straight from all it’s sides and make a World Heritage Monument look absolutely wonderful.
for reference see this picture below
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