The Incredible City of Fatehpur Sikri - India

FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA, INDIA

Fatehpur Sikri is a famous city in Agra district in Uttar Pradesh state, India. It also has some famous house and a historical place built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1570 in the honor of Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chisti. It was originally named historical city of Fatehabad and later renamed as Fatehpur Sikri by Akbar’s son and successor Emperor Jahangir.

The building was constructed in Mughal architecture, a combination of Indian, Persian and Islamic architecture. It was the first city of the Mughals and was Mughal’s capital from1571 and 1585.

Fatehpur Sikri is 3 km long and 1 km wide. The Palace city is is surrounded by 11 km wall on three sides and the fourth side is covered by a lake. Tuhir Das was the architect of this renowned palace.  It was constructed using Red Sandstone known as Sikri sandstone. It is accesses through various famous gates namely Delhi gate, the Lal gate, the Agra gate, Birbal’s gate, Chandanpaul gate, the Gwalior gate and the Chor gate.

 Important Buildings in the city are:

Ø  Buland Darwaza – The famous 54 meter high gate.

Ø  Jama Masjid – Famous Islamic Mosque.

Ø  Tomb of Salim Chisti – A White marble tomb of the Sufi saint.

Ø  Diwan-i-Am  – A Hall of Public Audience.

Ø  Diwan-i-Khas   - A Hall of Private Audience.

Ø  Ibadat Khana – House of Worship.

Ø  Anup Talao – An Ornamental Pool.

Ø  Hujra-i-Anup Talao - The Residence of Akbar’s wife.

Ø  Mariam-uz-Zamani’s Palace – The Building of Akbar’s Wife.

Ø  Naubat Khana – Drum House.

Ø  Pachisi Court – Playing area for board games.

Ø  Panch Mahal – A five storied palatial structure.

Ø  Birbal’s House – The House of Akbar’s favorite Minister.

Fatehpur Sikri was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 and now it is a popular tourist attraction site in India.