About Jamat Khana:
Jamat Khana was the assembly hall situated on the eastern side of the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti, where his disciples used to pray and carried out their religious practices. It is built in red sandstone and is surrounded by charming perforated screens. Sheikh Haji Hussain arranged the religious functions to be held here until his death in 1591, after which he was buried in the southwestern corner of the building. Since then, it became the graveyard of the Sheikh’s followers and houses twenty-four graves. There are Quranic inscriptions on some of these graves and the pen box or the turban was used to mark the graves of the men while a flat bard called takhti marks the grave of the women. The square building has a I m high platform and is enclosed with an arcaded verandah. Each façade has seven bays while the beautifully carved entrance door in the middle of the central façade leads to a courtyard. The central chamber looks square from outside but is octagonal from inside and houses the tomb of Islam Khan, who was the grand son of Sheikh Salim and also the Governor of Bengal. Thus, this chamber is also known as the tomb of Islam Khan. The unique feature of the building lies in the 36 small domed kiosks that surrounds the central dome making its roof look quite elegant. Badshahi Darwaza on its eastern side is situated on Yaran Chabutra or Friends’ Platform, which houses the graves of other disciples of Shiekh Salim Chishti.
General Information about Jamat Khana:
Location: Fatehpur Sikri
State: Uttar Pradesh
Capital: Lucknow
Language: Hindi, English
Temperature: Max 42˚C, Min 27˚C (summer), Max 26˚C, Min 14˚C (winter)
Best Season: October to February
How to Reach Jamat Khana:
By Air:
Kheria airport in Agra is the nearest airport from Fatehpur Sikri. Domestic flights are available to Agra from important places of India. From the airport, you have to reach Fatehpur Sikri via road route.
By Train:
Nearest major railway station is located in Agra. Agra railway is served by large number of express trains from important places of the country. Taj Express, Shatabdi express and several other trains are available from Delhi to Agra. Trains are available at regular intervals between Agra and Fatehpur Sikri.
By Bus:
UPSTDC, ITDC and other private operators arrange conducted tours to Fatehpur Sikri, but the tour buses stop only for an hour. If you want to spend longer time at Fatehpur Sikri it is better you take a regular bus from the Idgah Bus Stand.