Mardana

Fatehpur Sikri (live map)

View from the southeast of the mardana (courtyard). Photo right is the Diwan-i Khass, photo left is the Treasury. The small stone seat, in the middle of the courtyard, marks the intersection of the midpoints of two incised rows of squares, one running north-south and the other running east-west, in the shape of a plus sign or Greek cross. This was the board for an imperial game of Pachisi, which Akbar played using his courtiers as pieces. I played this game as a child with my grandparents, although perhaps Akbar's version was more exciting.