Jama Masjid
The mosque at Sikri was the first structure to be built in 1571. The exterior
is modest but the interior carries the most gorgeous ornamentation in the floral
arabesques and ingenious geometrical patterns in brown, red, turquoise, black
and white. The spacious courtyard adds a stately charm to the place. It could
accommodate ten thousand men at prayer. Akbar was so enthusiastic about this
mosque that he occasionally swept the floor and gave azan (call for prayer).
On June 26, 1579, Akbar even read the khutba himself, a great innovation, earlier
attempted only the Timur and Mirza Ulugh Beg.
