A Handbook to Agra and the Taj Sikandra, Fatehpur-Sikri and the Neighbourhood   By: E. B. Havell (1861-1934)

by E.B. Havell, ARCA.

1904

Preface

This little book is not intended for a history or archæological treatise, but to assist those who visit, or have visited, Agra, to an intelligent understanding of one of the greatest epochs of Indian Art. In the historical part of it, I have omitted unimportant names and dates, and only attempted to give such a sketch of the personality of the greatest of the Great Moguls, and of the times in which they lived, as is necessary for an appreciation of the wonderful monuments they left behind them. India is the only part of the British Empire where art is still a living reality, a portion of the people's spiritual possessions. We, in our ignorance and affectation of superiority, make efforts to improve it with Western ideas; but, so far, have only succeeded in doing it incalculable harm. It would be wiser if we would first attempt to understand it.

Among many works to which I owe valuable information, I should name especially Erskine's translation of Babar's "Memoirs;" Muhammad Latifs "Agra, Historical and Descriptive;" and Edmund Smith's "Fatehpur Sikri." My acknowledgments are due to Babu Abanindro Nath Tagore, Mr. A. Polwhele, Executive Engineer, Agra, and to Mr. J.H. Marshall, Director General of the Archæological Survey of India, for kind assistance rendered. I am particularly indebted to Messrs. Johnston and Hoffman, of Calcutta, for allowing me to make use of their valuable collection of photographs for the illustrations.

In quoting from "Bernier's Travels," I have used Constable's translation, with Messrs. A. Constable & Co.'s kind permission. To the Editor of the Nineteenth Century and After I owe permission to make use of my article on "The Taj and its Designers," published in that Review, June, 1903.

CALCUTTA,

January , 1904.

Contents

HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION

The Great Moguls I. Babar Babar's Connection with Agra II. Humayun Interregnum: Shere Shah III. Akbar Akbar's Connection with Agra IV. Jahangir Jahangir's Connection with Agra V. Shah Jahan The Monuments of Shah Jahan's Reign at Agra VI. Aurangzîb Agra and the Later Mogul Emperors Agra in the Mutiny.

THE FORT

The Mûti Masjid The Dersane Darwaza The Dîwan i âm Jahangir's Cistern The Tomb of Mr. Colvin The Inner Mîna Bazar The Chitore Gates The Hindu Temple The Machhi Bhawan The Najina Masjid The Dîwan i Khas Jahangir's Throne The Baths The Samman Burj The Khas Mahal The Underground Chambers The Anguri Bagh Shish Mahal The "Somnath" Gates The Jahangiri Mahal The Sahmgarh.

THE JÂMI MASJID

THE TAJ

The building of the Taj The Intention of the Taj Description.

ITMÂD UD DAULAH'S TOMB

THE CHÎNÎ KA RAUZA

THE RAM BAGH

The Zuhara Bagh.

SIKANDRA

Akbar's Tomb The Kanch Mahal Suraj Bhan ka Bagh Mariam Zâmâni's Tomb.

OTHER BUILDINGS AND TOMBS AT OR NEAR AGRA

The Kali Masjid Alawal Bilawal The Hamman The Roman Catholic Cemetery.

FATEHPUR SIKRI

The Agra Gate The Naubat Khana The Mint The Daftar Khana The Palace The Kwâbgâh The Turkish Sultana's House Hakim's Baths Pachisi Board The Dîwan i Khâs The Ankh Michauli The Yogi's Seat The Hospital The Dîwan i âm The Panch Mahal Miriam's Kothi Jodh Baí's Palace Rajah Birbal's House, or Birbal's Daughter's House The Hathi Pol and Adjoining Buildings The Jâmi Masjid, or Cathedral Mosque The Baland Darwaza The Stone Cutters' Mosque The Houses of Abul Fazl and Faizi.

Bharatpur and Other Places in the Vicinity of Agra: Bharatpur Govardhan Muttra Bindrâban.

INDEX

List of Illustrations

The Taj Mahal

Plate I. A State Document with Shah Jahan's "Royal Hand and Seal"

Plate II. Shah Jahan, From an Old Indian Miniature

Plate III. The Inner Delhi Gate, or Hathi Pol, Agra Fort

Plate IV. Marble Balcony, Overlooking the Inner Mîna Bazar, Agra Fort

Plate V. The Samman Burj, Agra Fort

Plate VI. Inner Courtyard of the Jahangiri Mahal, Agra Fort