Fatehpur Sikri is situated near Agra and is a fortified town constructed to operate as the capital of the Mughal Empire in the period of the late 16th century. Nevertheless, the city fulfilled the objective of being the capital of the Mughal Empire merely for 14 years and was completely vacated or abandoned by the period of the 17th century. Fatehpur Sikri is an ancient city that is at present a popular UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also one of the primary visitor’s interests in Agra. If you are captivated by Mughal architecture or have a keen curiosity in Indian history, the place suits you the best for traveling.
Essential Information About Fatehpur Sikri
The city is located in the Agra District. It is about 36 km from Agra, 205 km from Jaipur, and around 225 km from Delhi. It was established in 1571 and was commissioned by Emperor Akbar. Its architectural style describes a blend of the mutual and Indian styles of that time. Fatehpur Sikri is made entirely from red sandstone.
History of Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri is contemplated to be the architectural gift from Mughal Emperor Akbar who built the city in 1571. The city originates a portion of its name from a town called Sikri. Sikri prevailed on the place where it was established. As per history from official records says that Akbar had once toured Sikri village and talked with a Sufi saint whose name was Shaikh Salim Chishti. The saint predicted the birth of his successor. Later, when the prognosis of the saint’s words was fulfilled, Akbar started establishing his capital in the village.
The architecture of Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri is a strengthened city that is encircled by 6-km long protective walls which have various entrances on the third side. The fourth side perimeters an artificial lake. The city accentuates the mix of Indian-Islamic architectural styles and is established with the usage of red sandstone.
An abundance of mansions, cathedrals, memorials, public buildings, and other configurations decorate the city. Every monument constructed here illustrates outstanding architectural elegance. The fortified city comprises three glamourous palaces which were built by Akbar for each of his three beloved wives. The city also includes eight gates that fulfill as an anteroom to the city, among others it encompassing the Delhi Gate, the Agra Gate, the Lal Gate, The Gwalior Gate, and the Ajmeri Gate.
Fatehpur Sikri is surrounded by several prominent structures of the city, one of which is the Jama Masjid that is deemed to be the vastest mosque in India. Interestingly this is even functional to date. The detailed architecture of structures like the Buland Darwaza, the Tomb of Salim Chisti, and the Panch Mahal persuade travelers from all corners of the globe.
Present conditions of Fatehpur Sikri
Today, Fatehpur Sikri is one of the pivotal chronological monuments pertaining to the Mughal era and one of the top traveler’s attractions in Agra. The evacuated city has achieved the significance of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 due to its architectural magnificence and historical pertinence. The site, monuments, and structures encircled in its range are conserved, retained, and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Interesting Facts about Fatehpur Sikri that aren’t widespread
1) Fatehpur Sikri is the major and first schemed city in India by the Mughals.
2) As per Ralph Fitch who was a 16th-century English traveler, he mentioned that Fatehpur Sikri was much bigger and more populous than London around that era.
3) The pattern and configuration of Fatehpur Sikri impacted the scheming, planning, and building of Shahjahanabad (now, Old Delhi)
4) Akbar’s son, Jahangir dwelled at Fatehpur Sikri for about three months in 1619 at the time of bubonic plague occurred during that time.
5)Akbar once visited Fatehpur Sikri before the arrival of death even after abandoning the place.
Fatehpur Sikri is a wonderful symbolic of India’s rich artistic, culture and architectural lineage. Definitely an obsolete backpacker’s site of attraction.
