Is Birbal's House really present in Fatehpur Sikri ?

Hi all,

I am opening this post after reading a brief discussion of two blog members.  The discussion was about Birbal who has been recently introduced in Zee TV's show Jodha Akbar. 

That discussion brought something very interesting in my mind. I thought of discussing it with all of you. The topic under consideration is The Palace of Raja Birbal in Fatehpur Sikri.  

The so-called Birbal's Palace. Click on images to see in full size.

Whenever we search Internet or Wikipedia, or any other website on the Internet, about Fatehpur Sikri, the city which was built by Akbar, we come across one normal sentence that -> A palace of Raja Birbal is still present in Fatehpur Sikri..!!

But, during my reading from the Imperial Records and the Archaeological Survey of India's Documents, i came across something TOTALLY DIFFERENT. I have given my views in purple color in between.

 As per the documents in the custody of The Archaeological Survey of India at The Archaeological Library, Delhi; A.N - 9546 / C.N. - 913.05 , Pg-123/124, the following facts appear, about the Palace of Raja Birbal (i am roughly using the same language) -

"
This house was originally enclosed within the environs of the Imperial Harem. It was also connected with the Palace Complex of Mariam-Uz-Zamani Begum (locally called JodhBai's palace). This is one of the most beautiful among all the adjacent buildings. Next to the Palace of Mariam-Uz-Zamani Begum, the size of this building is the largest.

Abu'l Fazl records that, Akbar ordered a palace to be built for Raja Birbal in Fatehpur Sikri, and it was completed in 1582, and Akbar went in the palace for registering his auspicious presence.

An inscription was discovered by Sir Edmund Smith in this palace, upon the capital of a plaster in the west facade of the building, which states that it was erected in Vikram Samvat 1629 (1572 A.D.), 10 years before this date, and three years after the commencement of the city. {Note that, the year of it's erection is mentioned according to Hindu Calender, NOT the Muslim Hijri Calender.}

Though Birbal was one of Akbar's most trusted friends, it is highly unlikely that his palace would be placed within the enclosure of  Akbar’s own zenana(to be precise, in the JodhBai's palace complex) and connected with it. This palace is so incomparably more magnificent than those he gave to his other two intimate friends, Abul Fazl and Faizi, by the side of the great mosque.

All the probabilities are that this was one of the Imperial palaces occupied by someone among Akbar's wives, which were the first buildings erected at Fatehpur Sikri.

The house is a two-storied building, splendidly ornamented with carving, both inside and out. From the construction, it would appear that Hindus were the architects; but the decoration, from which it is easy to discover the taste of the occupants, is nearly all Arabian or Persian in style, and conveys no suggestion that the palace was built for a Hindu Raja or his daughter. Though on a much smaller scale, it is of the same type as Akbar's splendid palace in the Agra Fort, and was appears to be intended for one of the highest rank in the Imperial Zenana.


The text also notes that > "In early 20th Century, this magnificent palace was used as a travelers' rest-house for high officials and "distinguished" visitors; which is not only very inconvenient for the undistinguished who may wish to see it, but involves alterations which should never be permitted in buildings of such unique artistic and archaeological interest."
"

A Window

Detailed Description:

1. The New Cambridge History Of India, Volume-I, Part-4, Architecture of Mughal India, 1992, by Catherine Asher, Ass. Prof., Dept. Of Art History, University of Minnesota; notes the following , on Page- 66 >

" The so-called House of Raja Birbal, is inscribed with a date corresponding to 1572. A phrase following this date, "royal mansion of initiation,"** suggests that its purpose was not residential, but ceremonial or even administrative. 

The carved ornamentation of this palace, like that of most of the others, is deeply rooted in the decor of both Hindu and Muslim Indian architecture. For example, the palace's frequent chandrashala motifs were long used in pre-Islamic Indian architecture, as well as on Sultanate buildings. The ornate brackets, too, while much earlier seen on Hindu buildings, long had been incorporated into the basic vocabulary of Sultanate architecture."

** ->   From the Source book of Text-1, Page-258





 

Inside the Palace

2. Following excerpt has been taken from these texts > 
a. A History of Fine Art in India and Ceylon, by Vincent Smith
b. Ancient Indian Architecture, by Havell
c. Indian and Eastern Architecture, by Fergusson,
d. The Moghul Architecture of Fatehpur Sikri, By Edmund Smith, Book in 4 parts

The building is a double-storeyed structure standing on a large concrete platform carried on pillars and arches of rough masonry built up from the ravine below. On the ground floor are four rooms, each about 16' square, and two entrance porches, and on the upper storey, reached by two staircases in the south- west and north-cast corners, are two square chambers placed corner-wise. Although square in plan, the upper rooms

are covered with domes. The ceilings of the lower rooms are most exquisitely carved, along the walls of both the lower and upper rooms.

On the exterior of the building the Hindu bracket and the Muhummadan arch are combined with pleasing effect. The varietv of designs enriching the walls and pilasters, both inside and outside the house, is marvellous, and shows that the artisans employed were thoroughly conversant with geometry and the principles of arabesque design.

There were long and high purdah walls on the north, south and west, sides of the house, but they have all been pulled down, and no longer exist now.

Inside the Palace

Conclusion:

So, after reading this, what you all think.?.

1. The palace of Raja Birbal was completed in 1582 but this palace dates back to 1572..!!!!!

2. This palace was originally connected to the Mariam-Uz-Zamani Palace Complex, and was located in the Imperial Harem complex.

3. According to the inscription on the seal, found by Edmund Smith, this palace was NOT residential but for administrative work..!!!!!.

4. This was amongst the FIRST buildings in Fatehpur Sikri.

Hence, after reading the above post, and these 4 conclusions, what you think the palace could have been used for..??..

Intricate Pillared Carvings

My View: 

It is possible that the palace could have been used by The Emperor for administrative work. But, how can the Emperor perform his administrative work in a palace in the Imperial Harem, as Harem was a secured area and other males were not allowed inside..?..

This points to a fact that it could have been used by The Empress Mariam-Uz-Zamani, for her administrative work. MUZ was involved in various kinds of trades, and handled Haj Pilgrims as well. I am basing my view on the point that, this palace was originally present in the precincts of the Imperial Harem, used for ceremonial/administrative work, and biggest thing being that > It was EVEN connected to the Mariam-Uz-Zamani Palace Complex(locally called Jodh Bai Palace)..!!...

Looking forward to your views.

This post has been posted under the Mughals(Akbar) section of history_geek's BLOG.