Jodha Bai Palace at Fatehpur Sikri
The Jodha Bai Palace at Fatehpur Sikri is one of the most buildings in the Mughal Imperial Hare. It may be approached either through the colonnaded wall to the west of the Daulat Khana or through an opening in the new barbed wire fence, to the right of the road leading up to the mosque and diagonally opposite the Daftar Khana.
It is remarkable for its skillful carving. The Hindu motifs of bells and chains are freely carved on the stone pieces. Besides, the palace is a good place to study the differences in the workmanship so often met with in Fatehpur Sikri. Externally the palace looks solemn and massive. The Palace is double storied and consists of a huge block 33 feet by 8 inches from north to south and 215 feet east to west, built in the pavilion style imported from Central Asia. The roofs except on the central blocks to north and south where they are overlaid with brilliant tiling are flat. The court in the centre is paved and measures 179 feet by 162 feet. The entrance to the building is only through, the eastern side on the main block. The central archway, fringed with the cusps seen on all important buildings in Fatehpur Sikri encloses a recessed entrance, whose massive lintel is supported by stone brackets, on either side is a blank recessed arch and above that a corbelled balcony similar to those at the corners of the facade, but of red sandstone except for the creamy-buff pillars supporting the oblong domed roof.
The northern and southern wings, covered with glazed, azure-blue tiles from Multan are one of the glories of Fatehpur. The pure rich colour stands out among the sea of dull and weathered kiosks, domes and flat plaster roofs, whether seen at close quarters from Panch Mahal or at a distance from the dominant height of the Buland Darwaza, these azure blue tiles are a few of the brilliant survivors of the textural splendor of the city and this remains in the visitors mind as one of the most memorable visual impressions of his journey to Fatehpur.
It is surmised by historians, that as Fatehpur Sikri was abandoned in 1585, there is no likelihood of the building being occupied by the lady for whom it was built. A Turkish bath meant for ladies is attached immediately outside the south wall of the palace.A
