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Fatehpur Sikri
Contents
- Overview
- [+] Visitor Quick Facts
- [+] Historical Quick Facts
- History
- Myths or Facts
- Architecture And Structural Description
- Things To See
- Nearby Attractions
- Other Information
[ Edit ] Overview
Built by Emperor Akbar in honor of the Sufi Saint, Salim Chisti, Fatehpur Sikri was briefly the capital of the Mughal empire and is regarded as Akbar’s crowning architectural legacy.
The city is one of the finest, and best preserved, examples of a Mughal walled city with defined private and public areas, imposing gateways, and a beautiful blend of Islamic and Hindu styles of design and architecture. Fatehpur Sikri fully reflected Akbar's secular vision for his empire and his tolerant style of governance.
Due to a shortage of water, the city was abandoned and effectively became a ghost town for a few centuries. While most of its treasures have long since been plundered, Fatehpur Sikri remains one of the best surviving monuments of the Mughal era in India.
Fatehpur Sikri is recognised as being a World Heritage Site (UNESCO).
Visitor Quick Facts
[ Edit ] Famous For
Fatepur Sikri is famous for:
- Being the first planned Mughal city.
- Its immaculately preserved fort and palaces that were abandoned by Emperor Akbar due to a shortage of water supply for the city.
- Being recognised as a World Heritage Site (UNESCO).
[ Edit ] Location
Uttar Pradesh, India and 40 kms from Agra.
[ Edit ] Best Time To Visit
Since much of what there is to see Fatehpur Sikri is outdoors, October through March are the best months to visit Agra when the weather is cooler. Summers are hot!!
[ Edit ] Days of Operation
Open all days.
[ Edit ] Hours of Operation
Sunrise to sunset.
[ Edit ] Entry Charges & Fees
Entry charges are:
- Indians: Rs. 10
- Foreigners: Rs. 250
- Camera: Rs. ___
- Video Camera: Rs. ___
Historical Quick Facts
[ Edit ] Type
Heritage / Cultural
[ Edit ] Architecture
Mughal
[ Edit ] Construction Period
1571 - 1585
[ Edit ] Built By
Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar as his new capital.
[ Edit ] History
The area around Fatehpur Sikri was originally a part of the Rajput kingdom and there are temple ruins in the area that date back to the 12th century. The Mughals, under Emperor Babur, took over the the village of Sikri in defeating Rana Sanga. The place was then called Khanwa but Emperor Babur renamed the village as “Shukri” - meaning “Thanks to God”.
The city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar, one of the greatest Mughal rulers. Akbar originally had his capital city in Agra and built the Agra Fort for military and royal residential purposes. However, and in the course of time, he shifted his capital to Fatehpur Sikri, a city he decided to build in honour of Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chisti. The Emperor was without an heir to his throne and made the pilgrimage to the renowned Sufi saint to seek his blessings. Akbar was soon rewarded with a son who came to be known as Jehangir.
The name of the town was changed to Fatehpur Sikri after Emperor Akbar’s successful conquest of Gujarat kingdom in 1573.
The development of the city began in 1571. However, by 1585, Emperor Akbar decided to abandon it due to scarcity of water in town. The capital city was then moved to Delhi.
The sufi saint Salim Chisti hailed from Sikri.
[ Edit ] Myths or Facts
Myths and facts about Fatehpur Sikri include:
- Akbar's secular vision and style of governance is in full dislay at Fatehpur Sikri. Various religions and architectural styles are visible throughout the royal complex.
- Many childless women of all castes and religions come to visit the Tomb of Sufi saint Salim Chisti to pray for his blessings.
- The city, far away from the Yamuna River, was abandoned due to shortage of water.
[ Edit ] Architecture And Structural Description
Fatehpur Sikri complex consists of two distinct and separate areas. The Royal Complex was built with private and public spaces for Emperor Akbar's court, including his Treasury and harem. Adjoining to the Royal Complex is the Jami Masjid complex. These two complexs are connected by the Badshahi Darwaza - a gateway that was used exclusively by the royals.
The structures in Fatehpur Sikri are thought to be the finest examples of Mughal architecture, a fine blend of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture. But the structures also show elements of various regional schools of architectural craftsmanship including Gujarati, Bengali, and Rajasthani because the craftsmen came from various regions of the country to carry out the constructions of the buildings - and Emperor Akbar actively encouraged a synthesis of various religions and design styles.
Red sandstone was the primary material used and the buildings were spaciously laid out around open courtyards. Towering walls surround the city on three sides and entry is through one of the nine colossal gates.
[ Edit ] Things To See
Jami Masjid (Fatehpur Sikri)
The Jami Masjid is the sacred centre of Fatehpur Sikri and is grand open mosque. The mosque is situated at the south western end of the city its designs are derived from Persian and Hindu architecture.
A high wall with a gateway surrounds the mosque on 3 sides. The gateway, Buland Darwaza, opens into a huge courtyard measuring 111 x 139 meters - the largest such courtyard built during the Mughal period. The inner walls are lined with columns and cloisters while the western facade has a massive arched doorway with three domes.
To the left of the Jami Masjid is the Stone Cutter’s Mosque, the oldest place of worship in Fatehpur Sikri.
Tomb of Sheik Salim Chisti
Emperor Akbar's benefited from the remarkable prediction by the sufi saint Sheik Salim Chisti with the birth of a son (Jehangir). The vast courtyard of the Jama Masjid contains the the tomb of this saint and built by Emperor Akbar in 1571.
The Tomb of Sheik Salim Chisti is as popular today as it was during the time of Emperor Akbar. People, especially childless women, come in numbers to offer flowers and tie a thread on the latticed screens to make a wish and seek blessings from the saint.
The tomb was originally made of sandstone and later replaced with marble. The tombstone is covered with a cloth under a canopy of ebony, mother of Pearl and brass. The main square chamber of the tomb is surrounded by a corridor for circumambulation. The corridor has jallis with intricately carved serpentine brackets. The lattice work is thought to be amongst the best in India.
Buland Darwaza
This 54 meter high doorway was built in 1571 to celebrate Emperor Akbar's successful conquest of Gujarat. This gate is also called the “Gate of Magnificence” and “The Triumphal Gateway” and is one of the grandest gateways in India.
Approached by a steep flight of steps which adds to the height of the tall structure, the doorway is made of red and buff sandstone and designed in coloured stone and inlaid carvings in white and black marble. It is the main entrance to the Royal Jama Masjid.
Diwan-I-Khaas
This is the Hall of the Private Audience and is also called "Jewel House" or “The Ekstambha Prasada” which means the Place of Unitary Pillar and is a unique fusion of various styles of architecture and religious motifs. The hall is in the middle of the court, a single vaulted chamber with a central decorated lotus theme pillar with 36 elegantly craved brackets in Gujarati style and four narrow causeways project from the central and run to each of the four corners. The throne in the circular space over the central capital had Emperor Akbar sitting on the throne with the four corners assigned to his four ministers.
Ankh Michauli
Adjacent to the Diwan-i-Khaas is the Ankh Michauli building - often referred to as the Treasury. The meaning of the name is "Blind Man's Buff".
Diwan-I-Aam
This is the Hall of Public Audience, an enclosed space surrounded by colonnades and a large open area where courtiers and the public in attendance used to stand. The western side has a pavilion where the emperor sat.
Nearby is the Pachisi Courtyrad. It is a square marked out as a large sized board game (similar to Ludo) using girl slaves dressed in bright dresses as pieces of Pachisi. The King and his courtiers played this game while ordering the girls to move on the giant marble board as per their strategy and move.
Panch Mahal
The Panch Mahal is a five tiered palace where each floor is smaller than the one below. This is where Akbar's queen's enjoyed a cool evening breeze.
The first two floors from the bottom however are of equal size. The bottom floor has 176 intricately carved columns. The third and fourth floors are grated. The top most floor is a single kiosk or open pavilion supported by four columns. Each floor is supported by pillars and had jali screen between the pillars earlier. The top of the place gives a panaromic view of the entire city of Fatehpur Sikri with its buildings, palaces, gardens, residential houses all linked in a maze.
Anup Talao
Anup Talao is a tank close to the Diwan-I-Aam and close to King Akbar’s private apartment. It has four bridges which link to the main central platform. The famous musician Tansen from Emperor Akbar’s court used to perform here. The tank is also called “Peerless Pool” or “Kapur Talao”.
Turkish Sultana's House
The Turkish Sultana’s House, located at the corner of Anup Talao, has delicately sculpted sandstone walls that give off the perception of being made of wood. The building is topped with an unusual stone roof of imitation clay tiles.
Jodha Bai’s Palace
Jodha Bai was the Hindu Rajput wife of Emperor Akbar. The palace is one of the largest and most important buildings of the city - spacious and private. The palace has a perfect blend of styles, Hindu columns and Muslim cupolas accompanied by distinctive Gujarati and Rajasthani architectural features. A strong portal of high walls and a 9 meter guarded gate to the east guards this palace.
Mariam’s Palace
Also called as “Sunehra makan” or the Golden House, this palace was Emperor Akbar’s Christian wife’s Mariam Uz Zamani. It is a two storeyed building adorned by gold murals in Persian styles. The beams of this palace have inscriptions of verses by King Akbar’s brother Faizi.
Palace of Birbal
The palace is adorned with horizontal sloping sunshades or chajjas having exquisite brackets supporting them. Birbal and Tansen were two of the “navratnas” or Nine Jewels of Emperor Akbar.
[ Edit ] Nearby Attractions
Located only 40 kms from Agra, other World Heritage Sites / attractions include:
[ Edit ] Other Information
Recent News
Renovation of Monuments in Fatehpur Sikri, near Agra
Museum to be Built at Fatehpur Sikri Near Agra
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