In Mughal architecture, the famous Panch Mahal, a five-storeyed palace structure with open pavilions, is located at which historical site?

Introduction / Context:
This question connects Indian art and architecture with geography. Panch Mahal is a unique five-storeyed palace built during the Mughal period and is known for its airy pavilions and numerous pillars. Recognising where it is located helps you link this structure to the broader architectural complex built by Emperor Akbar and to its associated historical city.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The monument in question is Panch Mahal.
• It is a five-storeyed palace-like structure with many pillars and open halls.
• Options: Fatehpur Sikri, Gandhinagar, Allahabad, Varanasi.
• We assume standard information from Indian architecture and tourism resources.

Concept / Approach:
Panch Mahal is part of the royal complex at Fatehpur Sikri in Uttar Pradesh, which was built by Akbar as his capital for a short period. This structure stands near other important buildings such as the Diwan-i-Khas and Jodha Bai’s palace. Gandhinagar is a modern planned capital city in Gujarat, Allahabad (Prayagraj) and Varanasi are major cities with their own monuments, but they do not contain the Panch Mahal of Mughal fame. Therefore, the correct monument-site combination is Panch Mahal at Fatehpur Sikri.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Fatehpur Sikri was Akbar's planned capital city, rich in distinctive Mughal architecture. Step 2: Remember that Panch Mahal, a five-storeyed building with progressively receding floors, is a key feature there. Step 3: Examine the options and note which one is historically linked with Akbar's complex. Step 4: Recognise that Gandhinagar is a modern capital, and Allahabad and Varanasi are religious/administrative centres, none specifically housing the famous Panch Mahal. Step 5: Select Fatehpur Sikri as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Tourism brochures, history textbooks and UNESCO World Heritage descriptions all list Panch Mahal as one of the major structures of Fatehpur Sikri. The photographs usually show a tiered pavilion with numerous pillars, located inside the Fatehpur Sikri complex. On the other hand, prominent monuments of Varanasi, Allahabad and Gandhinagar are of different types (ghats, temples, modern administrative buildings) and are never described as a five-storeyed Panch Mahal, which confirms our answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b (Gandhinagar) is a modern planned city and state capital with government complexes, not a Mughal-era palace site. Option c (Allahabad) has monuments like the Allahabad Fort and Sangam, but not the Panch Mahal structure. Option d (Varanasi) is famous for its ghats and temples along the Ganga, again unrelated to Akbar’s palace complex. These options may be important cities but do not host the specific monument described in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Mughal monuments when trying to recall quickly, especially those associated with Agra and nearby cities. Another pitfall is conflating the names of buildings like Panch Mahal with city names that also contain “Mahal” somewhere in their tourist sites. To avoid this, firmly connect “Fatehpur Sikri – Akbar’s capital – Panch Mahal” as a single mental cluster in your memory.

Final Answer:
Panch Mahal is situated within the Mughal complex at Fatehpur Sikri.