Jodha Bai Mahal

Born as a Hindu princess, Mariam-uz-Zamani was married to Mughal emperor Akbar in the year 1562 as a result of a political alliance between Akbar and her father, Raja Bharmal. She gradually became his favourite wife and was the first wife of Akbar to honour the royal household with an heir. In the year 1569, she gave birth to her third and first surviving child of Akbar, Prince Salim. Akbar shifted his capital from Agra to Fatehpur Sikri in acknowledgement of his faith in the efficacy of the holy man's prayer, Sheikh Salim Chisti, whose blessings he sought for the birth of an heir to his empire. The construction in Sikri started in 1569 and a grand palace was established for the empress and her newborn son, prince Salim. This was the biggest residential palace in the city, and to this day it stands, though in ruins, as a monument of Akbar's love for the Amber princess. ==Architecture and ornamentation==

Jodha Bai Palace was commissioned by Akbar in her honour and was the largest residential palace in his harem. It is also known as Raniwas and Zenani Dyodhi. Several Hindu motifs have been used in the building alongside Lord Krishna depictions on the walls, which confirms that the occupant of the building was a Hindu lady. This palace has distinct Gujarati and Rajasthani architectural patterns. Many motifs can be found in the interior like swans, elephants, parrots, Srivastava marks, etc. The western suite in the palace which served as a temple contains vedikas and other Hindu motifs. It contains beautiful curvilinear pillars with brackets. The superstructure of the building comprises chhatris, pillars with wall brackets, semicircular domes, and several niches. The palace is built with red sandstone making it seem captivating. ==Gallery==

File:"JODHA BAI PALACE".jpg|The bedroom complex inside the palace File:Entrance to Queen's Palace (Fatehpur Sikri).jpg|Entrance to Queen's Palace File:Fatehpur Sikri - Visit During WCI 2016 (87).jpg|The Rajasthani style-influenced entrance to Empress Palace File:Fatehpur Sikri - Visit During WCI 2016 (94).jpg|Tulsi math in front of the temple in queen's Palace File:Fatehpur Sikri DSC 0107.JPG|Hindu architectural design on the pillars of the temple inside Jodha Bai Mahal File:Fatehpur Sikri DSC 0116.JPG|Temple with a tulsi math in the middle of the courtyard File:Fatehpur Sikri DSC 0131.JPG|Rajasthani style chattris in the faux window. A typical example of medieval period Hindu architecture File:Fatehpur Sikri Fort 154.jpg|A window with Mughal and Rajasthani culture style File:Fatehpur Sikri Fort 167.jpg|The open style Hindu temple inside the palace File:Fatehpur Sikri Fort 170.jpg|An example of the textural amalgamation of Mughal and Rajasthani design File:Fatehpur Sikri Fort 176.jpg|A typical faux window design showing Rajasthani and Gujrat influence in the Palace ==See also==