Machine summary:
Vestiges still remain on the east bank of the river of the Emperor's palaces indicating not only their precise situation but also what type of planning the Mughals introduced in the earliest buildings they erected in lndia.
By. Akbar's time Io miles of the river frontage was built on according to Abul Fadl who wrote : "On both banks of the Jumna are delightful houses and gardens inhabited by people of all nations.
" A miniature painted at this time affords us a glimpse of the pontoon bridge across the Jumna, a water-front wall with towers crowned by kiosks, and h_igh trees rising from the garden behind, 2 By J ehangirs Ji!l:l~ the _Jll!!l!l_a...
For ground plans, identification of sites and implied symbolism of building types see the author's forthcoming article "Early Garden Palaces of the Great Mughals" to be published by Oriental Art. 2.
According to one source, Akbar commenced building his fort in 1566 and laid the foundations of Fathpur in 1570, 6 "though Badauni says that both the palaces at Agra and Fathpur were completed by 157 I, with the exception of the lbadat Khana or House of Worship which was added in 1575.
"s But in the instance of Agra the cause was something more: the Mughals had built so many marvellous edifices that have come down to us in such a fine state that one has no heart left to turn to decrepit ruins.