Panch Mahal

Panch Mahal is a magnificent five storeyed structure that was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. This extraordinary building is also known as ‘badgir’ or `wind tower’, primarily to alleviate the heat and is a very popular architectural mechanism of the Persian architecture. It is believed that originally it was connected with main Royal chamber and Jodh Bai’s Palace.

The Panch Mahal or the “Five Level Palace”, was initially built by Akbar as a summer retreat and an entertainment centre. This is one of the most important buildings in Fatehpur Sikri and is an extraordinary structure that employs the design elements of a Buddhist Temple; entirely columnar, consisting of four stories of decreasing size arranged asymmetrically on the ground floor, which contains 84 columns. These columns, that originally had jaali (screens) between them, support the whole structure. Once these screens provided purdah (cover) to queens and princess on the top terraces enjoying the cool breeze and watching splendid views of Sikri fortifications and the town nestling at the foot of the ridge.

As its name implies, the building is comprised of five levels. The Panch Mahal is a rectangular colonnaded structure which is open on all sides and is built from local red sandstone. It is positioned to act as a "transition" building between the semi-public spaces that surround the Daulat Khana courtyard and the more private spaces of the Royal Harem. It is conjectured that the place served as a pleasure resort for the emperor or that it was used exclusively by the ladies and children of the court. For others, its interconnection with the imperial apartments (the Khwabgah complex) as well as the relation of the building’s main façade to the public court and its eastern orientation suggest that it might have been used for the emperor’s daily ritual of Jharokha-Darsana, where Akbar displayed himself to the public assembled in the Pachisi court to worship him and receive his blessings. The final, fifth level is a domed chhatri.

The timings to enter Panch Mahal is from 8 AM to 6 PM. You can visit the monument any day between these timings.

The entry fee for Panch Mahal is INR 10 for Indians whereas the entry fee for foreigners is INR 250. Children till the age of 15 are not levied with entry charges.

Ideally, the time between October to February is considered to be the best time to visit Panch Mahal as the weather is at its best during these times. However, it is open from 7 AM to 7 PM.

• Jama Masjid – Built by the then Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan,The Masjid-i-Jehan-Numa or popularly known as Jama Masjid, it is one of the largest mosques in India. The structure was built between 1650-1656. It is one of the major tourist attractions in India and is a symbolic gesture of Islamic power across India.
• Buland Darwaza – Buland Darwaza or the “Door of Victory” is the main entrance to the Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri. The door is considered as the highest gateway in the world and is an example of Mughal architecture.
• Archaeological Museum – Tracing its history back to 1911, the Archaeological Museum has a remarkable and diverse exhibits. The museum has been set up with the intention of showcasing the Mughal culture through their exquisite pieces of art.
• Birbal’s Palace – One of the major structures in Fatehpur Sikri, Birbal’s Palace is situated in the northwest corner of Jodha Bai’s palace. The palace was the residence of Birbal, who was the Prime Minister of the Mughal emperor Akbar. The palace is believed to have been built in 1571 and is a part of the Imperial Harem, where the senior queens of Akbar were housed.
• Hiran Minar – Built during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, the Hiran Minar or “Deer Tower” is a 16th century Mughal complex. It was built in the honour of Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s beloved antelope named Mansraj.
• Jodha Bai Palace – The largest and most prominent palace in Fatehpur Sikri, the Jodha Bai Mahal was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Akbar after 1569 for his beloved wife, Mariam-uz-Zamani, commonly known as ‘Jodha Bai’. The palace was built in order to make her new home resemble her old home as much as possible.

• Mughal Garden – As the name suggests, Mughal Garden is a paradise for food lover who are a sucker for Mughlai dishes. The restaurant is located near Kachhpura Village in Fatehpur.
• Sher-e-Punjab Hotel and Restaurant – The restaurant offers lip smacking food at reasonable prices. The restaurant has Mughlai cuisine as their specialty and they are truly amazing. The ambience of the restaurant is very calm and peaceful which gives you all the more reason to visit this restaurant.
• Lake View Restaurant – A perfect place for you, if you love outdoor dining. The restaurant gives a full desi vibe along with serving delicious food.
• Jodha Restaurant – A renowned restaurant in Fatehpur Sikri. It is most famous for its home deliveries and serves amazingly delicious food.
• Joshi Restaurant – With amazing ambience and interior, Joshi Restaurant is one of the good places to be. The food is equally interesting and tasty along with the looks of the place.