Panchmahal Travel and Tourism Guide

The Panch Mahal is a five storey building in Fatehpur Sikri. Renowned for its exceptional architecture, it is situated close to the harem or zenana quarters, which is fitting since it functioned as a pleasure palace. Built by Akbar, the architecture of Panch Mahal was inspired by that of a Buddhist temple. Akbar essentially used the Panch Mahal for his relaxation and entertainment. Entirely columnar, Panch Mahal comprises of four floors constructed in decreasing size.

The ground floor of the building is made up of 84 pillars that support the entire structure. Initially, the pillars had a jaali between them, which acted as purdah for the royal ladies as they sat on the terrace enjoying the breeze and the view of Fatehpur Sikri and nearby towns. The views from the topmost pavilion are splendid including that of the fort that lies to its left. There is also a pool in front of the Panch Mahal, called the Anoop Talao, which was filled with water and acted as a venue for musical performances during Akbar's time.