Glories of India

Akbar the Builder? Or the Usurper of Fatehpur Sikri?

  1. Ancient Jain and Hindu Temples
  • Fatehpur Sikri was known as “Sikrigarh” and had flourishing Jain temples and Hindu shrines.
  • A 12th-century Jain inscription was found near the fort, predating Akbar by centuries.
  • The famous “Diwan-i-Khas” with its mysterious central pillar reflects Vedic or Jain cosmology, not Islamic design.

  1. Architectural Style
  • The use of traditional Indian architectural elements, such as chhatris (domed kiosks), jalis (stone latticework), and mandapa-style pavilions, point to pre-Islamic Indian traditions.
  • These styles contrast starkly with Mughal tomb architecture like Humayun’s Tomb or the later Taj Mahal.
  1. Etymology and Local Legends
  • “Sikri” derives from “Shukri” or “Sanskriti”, meaning culture — linked to a flourishing spiritual center.
  • Local folklore mentions the area being a center of learning and pilgrimage, long before Akbar arrived.

  1. Akbar’s Real Role?
  • Akbar likely occupied and expanded the existing structures.
  • As was common for Mughal rulers, he appropriated Indian heritage and claimed credit.
  • He built walls, palaces, and mosques around the existing structures, projecting the illusion of founding a city.

🏛️ Why Would History Be Manipulated?

  • Colonial British historians, like Vincent Smith, aimed to glorify Islamic rulers while downplaying India’s native dynasties and culture.
  • This rewriting of history served a political narrative of disunity, pitting Hindu and Muslim communities against each other.
  • The erasure of India’s architectural and spiritual legacy was part of a larger plan — similar to the Aryan Invasion and Darwinian Evolution theories.

📖 What Do Indian Texts Say?

  • Hindu and Jain texts mention the region of Sikri as a center of sages and saints, with no mention of Akbar’s so-called foundation.
  • It’s likely Akbar was told of its sacred power and attempted to leverage the spiritual energy of the area, hence shifting his court there.

🔥 Final Thought

The truth about Fatehpur Sikri is not just about bricks and domes — it’s about reclaiming India’s architectural glory and civilizational pride. Let’s correct the narrative: Akbar did not build Fatehpur Sikri; he repackaged ancient India for political prestige.