MOGHUL BISCUITES....

i was fortunate enough, to be given 4 biscuites last night.

they came all the way from 

FATEHPUR SIKRI.

its nearest city is AGRA, 37klm away, 

and AGRA is 224 klm from DELHI.

four centuries ago, a magnificent king built his city of dreams on a hill. 

and then after a few years he walked away from it, never to return.

the reason why JALALUDDIN AKBAR abandoned the city of 

FATEHPUR SIKRI 

remains a mystery.

it is a city of legends frozen in time, of a grateful king's act of gratitude to a SUFI saint, and of a warrior who raised a giant gateway as a arrogant symbol of his power. 

the city saw the most gorgeous gatherings in AKBAR'S  court - the poets FAIZI and ABDHUR RAHIM, the historian ABUL FAZIL, the singers TANSEN and BAZ BAHADUR and countless like MAN SINGH, BIRBAL and TODAR MAL.

few cities reflect the character of its builder like FATEHPUR SIKRI does, that of a hard-headed imperialist who was also genuinely humane and tolerant and embarked on an unusual spiritual quest. 

to understand JALALUDDIN AKBAR you have to seek him in the red sandstone shadows of FATEHPUR SIKRI.

quote & photos from 'FATEHPUR SIKRI, akbar's magnificent city on a hill.' book.

by

SUDHADRA SEN GUPTA 

view of the main courtyard from the ANUP TALAO with the DIWAN-I-KHAS in the centre.

JODH BAI'S PALACE. 

the main entrance was guarded by RAJPUT soldiers.

part of exterior wall carving in RED SANDSTONE.

the JEWEL OF THE EMPIRE.

the dappled light and shadow of the ambulatory passage of the DARGAH.

the biscuits are coming.

i think it is time, for me to call them by their REGAL name.

NANKHATAI.

the main ingredients are,

egg, sugar, flour, butter, pistachio, and some little bits of red. NOT CHILLI.

i am yet to make a cup of MASALA CHAI and sit and contemplate the history of these little delightful morsels.

i hope i will enjoy this treat, as much as AKBAR did.