Jain Journal 1995 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 22

ARCHAEOLOGICAL REVALUATION OF FATEHPUR SIKRI
(In the light of the latest archaeological findings)
S. K. JAIN
Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted capital of Akbar, has been a source of controversy among the students of History, Architecture and Archaeology.
It will be advantageous to note the location and outer structure of the settlement as exists today. Fatehpur Sikri is a township some 40 Km away from Agra and exists on Agra - Jaipur - Bikaner National Highway. The citywall surrounding the township is rectangular in shape having eight entrance gates also known as Pols. The habitation was mainly in two different directions i. e. (i) paralled to the Arravali Hills which is in North Eastern direction and (ii) a few buildings in North-South direction. The city wall runs in the direction of the hills. Almost parallel to this hill runs another hillock, which seems to be another branch of the Arravalis. In between these hills, there used to be a vast lake on which a dam was built to store water. The dry bed of this lake as also the dam, exist even today.
Surprisingly enough Revenue Records do not show any village or town by the name Fatehpur. They instead record Sikri alone. It seems that Babar after his Victory over the forces of Rana Sanga in the battle of Khanwa, a place in the neighbourhood of present day Fatehpur Sikri, rechristened the town of Sikri as Fatehpur and the people kept on calling this town as Fatehpur Sikrit to distinguish it from other Fatehpurs.. Thus this name seems to have stuck to the town. Akbar's ancestors Babar and Humayun had no time at their disposal to make any construction or renovation of any buildings. The credit of constructing this settlement has been accorded to Akbar by his courtiers, principal of whom Abul Fazl, and this line has been toed by Britishers and is being continued even today.
From the archaeological point of view, this place is a very important site. Explorations and excavations in the recent past have revealed that the place existed even in the stone age. A few rock shelters have been found in the neighbouring hillocks having paintings depicting the hunting scenes and other activities. Painted Grey Wares (P. G. W.) have been found on both-sides of the hillock. These excavations have also given us a proof that settlement continued from stone