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Which of the following statements about Akbar are correct? 1. In 1560s, Akbar had the Fort of Agra constructed. 2. In 1570s, Akbar decided to build a new capital at Fatehpur Sikri. 3. Akbar also commissioned a white marble tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti at Sikri. 4. In 1585, Akbar decided to shift the capital back to Agra. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
Akbar's architectural and administrative decisions define his reign. In 1565, he commenced the construction of the Agra Fort using red sandstone [1]. By the 1570s, specifically around 1571, Akbar decided to establish a new capital at Fatehpur Sikri to honor the Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chishti [1]. Within this complex, Akbar commissioned a magnificent white marble tomb for the saint, which remains a spiritual centerpiece [2]. However, statement 4 is incorrect; in 1585, Akbar shifted his capital to Lahore, not back to Agra, primarily due to political exigencies in the northwest and water shortages at Sikri. The capital remained at Lahore for thirteen years before returning to Agra in 1598. Therefore, only statements 1, 2, and 3 are historically accurate regarding the timeline and nature of Akbar's capital projects.
Sources
- [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 14: The Mughal Empire > Architecture > p. 217
- [2] https://www.tajmahal.gov.in/fatehpur-sikri.aspx