Akbari Architecture

Shah-i-Fatehpur: The Jama Masjid of Sikri

The Jama Masjid of Fatehpur Sikri is the building known as 'Shah-i-Fatehpur'. It was commissioned by Akbar in 1571 and serves as the architectural and spiritual center of the city.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII: Themes in Indian History - Part II

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Which one of the following buildings is known as 'Shah-i-Fatehpur'?

[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


Akbar’s capital at Fatehpur Sikri featured several monumental buildings, but the spiritual heart of the city was its congregational mosque, honored with an imperial title.

Authentic Source Evidence


The Jama Masjid of Fatehpur Sikri is also known as 'Shah-i-Fatehpur' or 'Shah-i-Sikri'. Built by Akbar in 1571 to celebrate his victory in Gujarat, it remains one of the largest mosques in India. It also houses the sacred tomb of the Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chishti.

Analytical Breakdown


  • Logic 1: While the Buland Darwaza (Option A) is the most famous gate to the mosque, the entire religious complex is defined by the Jama Masjid.

  • Logic 2: The name 'Shah-i-Fatehpur' (The Glory of Fatehpur) reflects the building's status as the primary religious anchor of Akbar's experimental capital.
  • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

    "What is the tallest component of the Jama Masjid complex?"

    The Buland Darwaza, the 54-meter high massive gateway added by Akbar in 1575.

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

    "The Jama Masjid was the physical manifestation of Akbar’s early religious life, combining massive structural scale with detailed Islamic and Indian motifs."

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