Fatehpur Sikri - My Home My Pride

Fatehpur Sikri - Capital of Emperor Akbar

Era of Emperor Akbar in Fatehpur Sikri

Red Sandstone Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. He had planned this city as his capital but shortage of water compelled him to abandon the city. After this within 20 years, the capital of Mughals was shifted to Lahore. Fatehpur Sikri was started to built in 1571 and it was completed in 1585. Fatehpur Sikri is one of the finest examples of Mughal architectural splendour at its height. Though the city is in ruins, it is a place to visit if one comes to Agra.But in real terms Fatehpur Sikri is a place where one should spend some time. The sunset over the ruins is sight to cherish. Fatehpur Sikri is the best example of the culmination of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Fatehpur Sikri Mosque is said to be a copy of the mosque in Mecca and has designs, derived from the Persian & Hindu architecture.

Fatehpur Sikri a city predominantly in red sand-stone, situated at a distance of 37 kilometre from Agra city, located on National Highway No. -11 (Agra - Jaipur) was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, in honour of the great Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chisti its magnificence and uniqueness offers a fine example of the emperor's architectural finesse. Akbar's tolerant religious views and interest in literature, architecture and fine arts gave the buildings at Fatehpur Sikri a charismatic blend of Islamic and Hindu elements in their style and design. Fatehpur Sikri is enclosed by a 11 kilometre long fortification wall interspersed with numerous gateways. 

Buland Darwaza - Fatehpur Sikri

Buland Darwaza is one of the tallest gate of 52 meter hight made by red sandstone. The gate erected in 1602 AD to commemorate Akbar’s victory over Deccan is the highest and grandest gateway in India and ranks among the biggest in the world. A Persian inscription on eastern archway of the Buland Darwaza in Fethpur Sikri records Akbar's conquest of Uttar Pradesh and the victory in Gujarat in 1573. An inscription on the central face of the Buland Darwaza describes Akbar's religious openness.

Sheikh Salim Chishti's Tomb - Fatehpur Sikri

Chishti was a famous Sufi saint. He was lived in Fatehpur Sikri in a small Tomb. Salim Chishti was doing miracles works. One day Emperor Akbar know about Chishti then he reached to Chishti's resident in Fatehpur Sikri. Earlier Fatehpur Sikri was fully dessert & lack of water. Emperor Akbar met to Chishti and told i need your blessing for a son. Soon, Akbar received three sons with the blessings of Chishti. In honor of Chishti, Akbar named his first son Salim (Jahangir). 

To express his gratitude to the Chishti, Akbar built a great tomb which wall 12 km stretch. After completed Fatehpur Sikri Tomb then Sheikh Salim Chishti start to lived here. However, within a few years the city was abandoned due to water shortage. Now a days Fatehpur Sikri is one of the best heritage tourist destination in India and it is a iconic destination comes in the part of India's famous tourist circuit Golden Triangle 'Delhi - Agra - Jaipur'. Now this city is one of the most visited site in India after Taj Mahal in Golden Triangle Tour. 

Palace of Jodha Bai - Fatehpur Sikri 

Jodha Bai was an empress of the Mughal Empire. She was the first prominent Rajput wife of Emperor Akbar (though Akbar already had two Mughal wives). She was also the mother of the heir Jahangir. 

The largest palace of all the palaces, Jodha Bai Mahal, housed the Empress of Akbar, Jodha Bai. Here the architecture of Gujarat, Mandu and Gwalior is blended with the traditional Islamic architecture. Also, its blue tiled roof is the only architecture of its kind in Fatehpur Sikri.

The palace of Jodha Bai is a magnificent two-storied building. The main door opens towards the south. Jodha Bai was a queen who married a Muslim king Emperor Akbar but she spent her entire life with Hindu tradition, worship and faith in Hinduism. If she lived with her religious freedom in the harem of the most powerful emperor of that time, it should be considered as an influence of Jodha more than Akbar's generosity. Because by that time Akbar would not have been so mature that naturally he had come in such a sense of tolerance towards non-religions.

Panch Mahal - Fatehpur Sikri 

Panch Mahal is an elaborate and pillared five-storey building which was built by great Emperor Akbar as a entertainment. They used to enjoy and entertain it. Built on an open sided theme, each floor of this palace is smaller than the lower floor and each floor stands on asymmetrical pillars. This palace was specially planned for the emperor's queens and princesses. A special screen was installed for women watching the show from inside.

Anup Talao - Fatehpur Sikri

Anup Talao situated in the front of Khwabgah was one of the most mentioned tanks at Fatehpur Sikri. This square red sand stone tank had a beautiful platform enclosed by a jalied balustrade in its center. It is looking very beautiful & the most beautiful things t take a picture upon the middle platform. The raised seat in the middle of this platform perhaps presented the most romantic loveseat ever conceived inside a building. This platform was connected to the sides of the tank via four causeways that were supported on the stoned pillar with bracketed capitals. 

The tank was connected to the water work system of the city to ensure the inflow of fresh water in it and to the Sukh Tal, outside the southern wall to avoid overflowing of water. Abul Fazl recorded that this beautiful pool was once filled with gold, copper and silver coins that shimmered like so many sunrays and looked quite stunning. Jehangir has mentioned in his memoirs that he distributed copper and silver coins worth one crore three lakh rupees that were emptied out of the tank in the charity.

 

Jama Masjid - Fatehpur Sikri 

A beautiful & large mosque in Agra region made by red sandstone. This mosque was built in 1571. The enter the Masjid you have to come from Buland Darwaza side. Its very near to Buland Darwaza. It is also the part of Fatehpur Sikri complex. This Mosque have huge courtyard where approx 25000 people can accommodate for prayer. 

How to Reach Fatehpur Sikri 

Road: Fatehpur Sikri is well linked by Road from Agra, New Delhi, Bharatpur, Jaipur & Mahura. Fatehpur Sikri is located on National Highway No.-11. 

Distance from Agra - Fatehpur Sikri = 37 Km 

Distance from Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri = 18 Km  

Distance from Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri = 200 Km

Distance from Mathura - Fatehpur Sikri = 65 Km

Distance from Delhi - Fatehpur Sikri = 240 Km

Air: Nearest airport is Kheria Agra which is 15 km from Fatehepur Sikri. Flight takes times from Delhi to Kheria airport Agra only 40 minutes. But there is only 01 flight as of now. 

Rail: The main railway station is the Agra Cantonment station. It is well connected to all major cities of India. Fatehpur Sikri itself have railway station but connectivity is not good. 

Entrance Fee

For Foreigner: INR 610/- Per Person

For Indians: INR 50/- Per Person