Bring in the local
The stewards of the house and the ASI are partners in the endeavour and the nomination to the World Monuments Watch, which resulted from local concern in India that the site was in dire need of conservation attention.


Mor Khana

One of the strengths of the nomination was that there was clear local interest in seeing improvement to the safeguarding of this important cultural site.


View of the living quarters (Khanqah) - while looking from the entrance gateway 

The Challenges
1) The biggest challenge was to assure all the interested parties that the work would be carried out with no disruptions to access and use of the site. As India has qualified professionals to carry out such work, it was easy to find heritage architects and conservators.

 

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2) WMF secured funding and made it possible to enter into an agreement with the ASI to carry out research, condition surveys, and implement conservation measures. The goal is to develop strong relationships with site partners and donors so projects can be implemented successfully. So at times, slower processes assures that everyone understands the nature of the executable work.

Information Courtesy: Lisa Ackerman, executive vice president of World Monuments Fund

Shaikh Salim Chishti
(1478-1572): He was one of the revered Sufi saints of the Mughal period in India. Emperor Akbar, who ruled the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585, believed the saint's powers were so great that he built an imperial palace complex next to the saint's khanqah, and relocated his court and courtiers to Fatehpur Sikri.

Inside the complex
1) Prayer Hall
2) Sangtarash Mosque
3) Living Quarters (Khanqah)
4) Ladies Chamber-Ruins
5) Nashisht Gah
6) Murakh Khana
7) Collapsed Building