Maps of Movies

Mughal-e-Azam (1960)

Where Mughal-e-Azam says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

The most famous palace in Indian cinema was never a palace: a mirror hall built on a studio floor in Mumbai.

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Scenes and places

Akbar's pilgrimage for an heir

Without an heir, Emperor Akbar makes a pilgrimage to a holy shrine. His prayers are answered when his son is born, and a palace maid who brings the news receives his royal ring and his promise of one wish.

Set in A holy shrine (not named in the source) — Emperor Akbar travels to a holy shrine to pray for a son.

The source names no specific shrine, so none is placed on the map.

Salim returns to the Agra court

After years at the front, Salim comes home to Agra as a decorated commander. The pampered boy is now a warrior, and the court he returns to is where his father's rules, and his love, will collide.

Set in Court of Agra — The Mughal court at Agra where Salim returns as a war hero. Coordinates are those of Agra Fort and are only a stand-in for the court. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Agra was the Mughal capital in Akbar's reign; the film itself shows the court mostly through studio sets.

Nadira becomes Anarkali

Salim falls deeply in love with Nadira, a court dancer whom Akbar renames Anarkali. The rival dancer Bahar exposes the secret affair, and an outraged Akbar forbids the romance.

Set in Court of Agra (palace interior) — The palace court where Salim falls for Nadira and Bahar betrays the affair. Coordinates are those of Agra Fort and are only a stand-in. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The film's court scenes are largely sets, so the Agra pin marks the story, not a filming spot.

The mirror palace song

Anarkali sings in a hall of mirrors, defying the emperor in front of his court. The glass reflects her everywhere, and the song turns her love for Salim into an open challenge.

Set in Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace), Lahore Fort — The mirror hall of the song 'Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya' is a replica of the Sheesh Mahal of Lahore Fort. Coordinates are those of Lahore Fort, the original being copied. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The set used small mirrors of Belgian glass, cut by workers from Firozabad, and took two years to build.

Anarkali in chains

Imprisoned on Akbar's order, Anarkali is told to renounce Salim. She refuses, out of loyalty to him.

Set in Anarkali's prison (location not stated) — The prison where Anarkali is held after Akbar orders her imprisonment.

The scenes were shot on a set, and the actress wore real chains.

Father against son

Enraged by his father's cruelty, Salim raises a rebel army to free Anarkali. Son faces father on the battlefield, and the revolt ends in Salim's defeat.

Set in Battlefield (location not stated) — The battlefield where Salim's rebel army meets Akbar's army.

The sequence reportedly used 2,000 camels, 400 horses and 8,000 troops.

The sentence

Akbar condemns Anarkali to be walled up alive. Her last request is to spend a few hours with Salim as his symbolic wife, and Akbar grants it on one condition.

Set in Place of the execution (location not stated) — Where Akbar condemns Anarkali to death by immurement.

The source gives no filming place for this sequence, so none is placed on the map.

Characters

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