Artwork

Fort of Futheypoor Sikre near Agra. The Residence of the Emperor Akbar

Fort of Futheypoor Sikre near Agra. The Residence of the Emperor Akbar is a photography by the Impressionist artist Samuel Bourne. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This photograph, taken in the 1860s, depicts the Fort of Futheypoor Sikre situated near Agra.

About this work

Overview

This photograph, taken in the 1860s, depicts the Fort of Futheypoor Sikre situated near Agra. The image captures the fort’s stone walls bathed in gentle sunlight, set beside a river, with a small group of figures near the entrance that emphasize the scale of the structure.

Subject & Meaning

The picture presents a tranquil fortified complex, illustrating the relationship between the massive masonry and the surrounding landscape. The presence of a few individuals at the gate underscores the fort’s functional role as a residence while also highlighting its imposing, defensive character.

Technique & Style

Created with the large‑format photographic equipment of the mid‑nineteenth century, the image exhibits the high level of detail typical of early documentary photography. The soft lighting and careful composition convey a realistic, unembellished view of the architecture.

History & Provenance

The photograph is part of a series of fifty images captured during a journey across northern India, ranging from Himalayan hill towns to major urban centers such as Lahore, Delhi, Lucknow, Agra, Benares, and Calcutta. It was produced while the British Raj governed the region, offering a contemporary visual record before later conservation work.

Context

At the time of its creation, the fort served as a residence for Emperor Akbar, linking the image to the broader Mughal architectural heritage. The photograph contributes to a visual archive that documents how key monuments appeared prior to twentieth‑century restoration efforts.