About The City

     Perched atop a rocky ridge 37 km west of Agra, Fatehpur Sikri came into being four centuries ago when the Emperor Akbar, not yet 28 years old, created the first planned city in Indo-Islamic style. The city was actualised with great energy, but was completely abandoned a little more than a decade later.

     In 1568, Akbar was secure and powerful but he had no son and heir. His search for blessing for the birth of a successor brought him to the Sufi mystic Shaikh Salim Chisti, who lived in Sikri village. The saint prophesied the birth of three sons and soon after was born Prince Salim, later to become Emperor Jahangir. In gratitude for the blessing Akbar decided to create imperial residences in Sikri, which would function as a joint capital with Agra. As a mark of his faith and his recent victories, he named his new city Fatehpur Sikri. Akbar was a keen builder and the plan of Fatehpur Sikri reveals an architectural mastermind at work. Research has proved that it was planned on a definite mathematical grid.

     The siting of the Jama Masjid marked the actual beginning of the city which came up around it. The palace courts were laid out parallel to the cardinally aligned mosque and the sequential order of the palaces were emphasised by change in level. The most public space was at the lowest level, while the royal harem was at the highest.

     Fatehpur Sikri is built in red sandstone, and is a beautiful blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural elements. The sandstone is richly ornamented with carving and fretwork. Fatehpur Sikri was abandoned 14 years after its creation. A shortage of water is believed to be the reason. Today it is a ghost city, its architecture is in a perfect state of preservation, and wandering through the palaces it is easy to imagine that this was once a royal residence and a dynamic cultural centre.

Accomodation

Excursions

Agra

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

     25 km. A paradise of bird watchers and ornithologists, the sanctuary is also known as the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. More than 300 species of birds have been sighted here including the famous Siberian Cranes. The best season to visit the park is between October and February when migratory birds are here. .

Fair & Feast

Air

     Kheria Airport at Agra · 40 km.

Rail

     Agra Cantt Railway Station 40 km (see Agra for rail connections)

Road

     Fatehpur Sikri is connected to Agra and neighbouring centres by regular bus services of UPSRTC. Some of the major road distances are:

     Bharatpur · 25 km.

     Jaipur · 225 km.

Place Of Interest

Diwan-I-Am

     The first enclosure of the palace is a vast courtyard in which the emperor gave daily public audience and dispensed justice.

Diwan-I-Khas

     The Diwan-I-Am gave access to the second enclosure, a large quadrangle which contained all the major functions of the palace, and the finest buildings of Fatehpur Sikri. At the northern end is the Diwan-I-Khas. Also referred to as the Hall of Private Audiences, it is an astonishing chamber dominated by a massive carved pillar, which supports a fantastic capital above which is a balcony.

Pachisi Court

     The paving of this courtyard is laid out to resemble the cruciform board on which the game Pachisi is played. It is believed that Akbar used live pieces for the game.

Private Living Quarter

     These are at the southern end of the quadrangle, clustered around a pool, the Anup Talao. The structures here include Akbar·s library, the scene of his intellectual activity. A window overlooked the Daftarkhana, or record office. Above this is the Khwabgah, `the palace of dreams· or Akbar·s bedroom. This whole space was warmed or cooled by water channels. Nearby, the Turkish Sultan·s Palace is an exquisite pavilion, carved with Persian, Turkish and even Chinese motifs.

Mariam·s Palace

     The women·s quarters lie to the east of the `male zone·. A small doorway leads to Mariam·s Palace, the residence popularly ascribed to Akbar·s Gaon wife. Till even as late as the 19th century, its interior were richly embellished with gold.

Jodhabai·s Palace

     The largest of all the palaces, it housed Akbar·s queens. Here stylistic elements of Gujarat, Mandu and Gwalior are blended with traditional Islamic designs. Its blue tiled roof is the only splash of colour in Fatehpur Sikri.

Hawa Mahal

     A small screened wind tower attached to the woman·s palace.

Birbal·s Palace

     This ornately carved palace is ascribed to Birbal, the legendary wit and Akbar·s favourite courtier though it is unlikely he lived in the women·s quarters.

Panch Mahal

     This is an extraordinary 5-storied columnar structure set in the corner and female zones of the palace. A pleasure pavilion, it was used by Akbar for his special consorts. Commands a grand view of the palaces below.

Jama Masjid

     The first, largest and highest building in Fatehpur Sikri, is entered by the Badshahi Darwaza in the east. The prayer chamber is splendidly painted.

Salim Chisti·s Tomb

     The white marble, jewel-like tomb of the saint lies in the courtyard of the mosque. Its interior is ornamented with mother-of-pearl, lapis-lazuli and topaz. It has became a popular wish-fulfilling shrine.

Buland Darwaza

     When Akbar returned to Fatehpur Sikri after successful campaign of Gujarat the victory arch was constructed. The southern entry to the mosque was remodelled into a stupendous, 15 storied high gateway.