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Fatehpur Sikri : there’s no such thing as Birbal Mahal

Guides like to tell you this is #Birbal’s house in #FatehpurSikri but Prof Ali Nadeem Rezavi whose book on the city is the most definitive one says that this was one of the first structures built in Fatehpur Sikri and was probably used by Akbar himself then incorporated into the #harem.

As I’ve documented in my article on #MughalHarems no adult male except the Emperor was allowed in the harem. The Emperor could invite some of his closest friends inside but they didn’t live there.

Eunuchs guarded the harems.

So don’t fall for what guides or guide books tell you

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