FATEHPUR SIKRI | TOURIST PLACES TO VISIT & TRAVEL GUIDE TO FATEHPUR SIKRI

About Fatehpur Sikri

At a distance of 37 Km from Agra, 223 Km from Delhi and 209 Km from Jaipur, Fatehpur Sikri is a deserted fort city in the Agra District of Uttar Pradesh, India. Commissioned by Emperor Akbar during the late 16th century, this formerly vibrant city acted as the capital of the Mughal Empire for a brief yet significant duration. It was the first planned city of the Mughals characterized by splendid administrative, residential, and religious structures. Its red sandstone structures, embellished with detailed carvings and graceful designs, remain as lasting representations of Mughal magnificence and artistic brilliance. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the popular place to visit along with Golden Triangle tour and also among ideal places to visit near Delhi.

History of Fatehpur Sikri

Although Fatehpur Sikri is widely recognized as the capital city established by Akbar during the Mughal era, it possesses a rich cultural history that predates this period. An excavation conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) between 1999 and 2000 revealed the existence of housing, temples, and commercial centers in the area prior to Akbar's establishment of his capital. The region was initially settled by the Sungas following their expansion and was governed by the Kanyakubja Brahmins of the Sankrit Gotra from the 7th to the 16th century CE. Babur visited the city on the eve of the Khanwah Battle in 1527 CE, referring to it as 'Sikri' in his Memoirs. To commemorate his victory in the Khanwah battle, he established a garden, a Jal-Mahal (water palace), and a baoli (step-well) in the area.

Akbar, the grandson of Babur, commissioned the construction of Fatehpur Sikri in 1569 to honor the Sufi Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti, who resided in a cave on the ridge at Sikri. Akbar held the saint in high regard, as he had been blessed with a son named Salim in 1569. In 1571, Akbar relocated his capital from Agra to Sikri, renaming the city Fatehabad, which means 'victorious,' following his victory over Gujarat in 1573. After this victory, he constructed the Buland Darwaza of the Dargah Complex, which is now recognized as the tallest gateway in Asia. This city served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 until 1585 and was subsequently referred to as Fatehpur Sikri. However, just 15 years after its establishment, the court was forced to relocate from Fatehpur Sikri due to a severe water shortage. In 1619, Emperor Jahangir camped in the city for three months while a plague ravaged nearby Agra. The city underwent refurbishment to accommodate the coronation of Muhammad Shah in 1719, but it was largely abandoned until the British took control of Agra in 1803.

The East India Company established an administrative center in the city, which remained operational until 1850. In 1815, the Marquess of Hastings ordered repairs to the monuments at Sikri. Due to its historical significance as the capital of the Mughal Empire and its remarkable architecture, Fatehpur Sikri was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

Architecture of Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri is one of the best preserved collections of Indian Mughal architecture. An amalgamation of Indian, Persian and Islamic architecture, the entire city is built using locally quarried red sandstone, which is also known as Sikri sandstone. Sikri was the first planned city of the Mughals. The city is bounded on three sides by a 6 Km long wall, which is fortified by towers and has seven gates. It consists of beautiful palaces, halls, and mosques. The complex has various structures such as Jami masjid, Buland Darwaza and tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti, Khas Mahal, Panch Mahal, Khwabgah, Diwan-i-Khas, Anup Talao and Diwan-i-Aam.

Buland Darwaza

Buland Darwaza or the Gate of Magnificence serves as the main entrance to the Jama Masjid Complex in Fatehpur Sikri of Uttar Pradesh. This massive gate is the highest gateway in the world and it was built in 1576 AD by Akbar to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. Among the must include places in the Fatehpur Sikri tour packages, it is an astounding example of the Mughal architecture made of red and buff sandstone, decorated by white and black marble. It is a 15 storied high gateway acting as the southern entrance of the city of Fatehpur Sikri.

Jama Masjid

Built by Akbar in 1571 AD, Jama Masjid or Jami Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India and situated on the highest point of the ridge in Fatehpur Sikri Complex. It is the congregational mosque and was perhaps one of the first buildings to be constructed in the complex. It was built under the supervision of Sufi Saint, Sheikh Salim Chishti and his descendants. Jami Masjid is attractively decorated with glazed tiles, carvings, inlaid stones and paintings.

Sheikh Salim Chisti Tomb

The Sheikh Salim Chisti Tomb is located within the Jama Masjid Complex in the Fatehpur Sikri area. This tomb was constructed by Emperor Akbar in honor of the Sufi Saint Salim Chisti in 1580, following the saint's passing. Initially, it was made of red sandstone; however, in 1606, Qutubuddin Khan Koka transformed it into a marble structure under the directives of Jahangir.

Jodha Bai Palace

Jodha Bai Palace or Jodha Bai Ka Rauza is one of the largest buildings in the complex of Fatehpur Sikri. This Palace was constructed by Akbar for his favorite wife, Jodha Bai. The palace has distinct Gujarati and Rajasthani architectural patterns. The palace building consists of a rectangular block with a single magnificent gateway on eastern side, which was protected by guard rooms.

Panch Palace

Panch Mahal is five-storey architectural monument located on the northeast direction of Jodha Bai Palace inside the Fatehpur Sikri Fort Complex. It was built by Emperor Akbar primarily used as a recreational and pleasure palace by the queens and the other ladies of the court. This is also known as Badgir or the wind tower. This pillared pavilion is made of red sand stone comprising of five storeys, and each is adorned with carved pillars and ornate balustrades.

Diwan-i-Khas

Diwan-i-Khas, or Hall of Private Audience, is situated in the northeast corner of the royal complex with a huge and richly carved pillar in the center. It is a place where the Emperor meets his private guests and dignitaries. Also known as the jewel house, it is the most intriguing section of the palace complex. The main seat of the king was positioned in the middle of the hall attached to the huge pillar.

Diwan-i-Am

Diwan-i-Am, also known as the Hall of Public Audience, is a splendid hall located within the Fatehpur Sikri complex. It served as a venue for Emperor Akbar to engage with his subjects and address their concerns. The central feature of Diwan-i-Aam is the raised platform where Akbar would sit upon his throne.

Birbal Palace

Birbal's Palace is situated in the northwest corner of Jodha Bai Palace inside the complex of Fatehpur Sikri Fort, and is the residence of Birbal, Akbar's Hindu Prime Minister, and one of the Nine Jewels in Akbar's court. It is a two storeyed structure.

Daulat Khana

Daulat Khana, referred to as Khwabgah, is recognized as the most exquisite and meticulously designed structure within the fort complex. This building served as the private residence of Akbar, intended for relaxation and reflection. It comprised a bedroom, a personal library, and a compact bathroom. Additionally, it was linked to the administrative offices (Daftar Khana) and other palatial structures.

Festivals of Fatehpur Sikri

The most prominent festival observed at Fatehpur Sikri is the Urs of Hazarat Salim Chishti in honor of the revered Sufi saint. This ten-day festival, held during Ramadan month, features folk music, poetry competitions, etc. A Ramadan fair, featuring traditional handicrafts and cultural activities, also takes place during the month of Ramadan and other Muslim festivals.

Dress Code & Other Restrictions of Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri does not have a strict dress code; nonetheless, it is recommended to dress modestly, particularly when visiting religious sites such as the Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti located within the complex. It is advisable to avoid wearing revealing or inappropriate clothing, and it is suggested to cover both shoulders and knees, especially when entering the mausoleum itself. Visitors are encouraged to avoid modern clothing items like mini-skirts, shorts, and sleeveless tops while at Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri Timings

Monday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Tuesday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Wednesday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Thursday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Friday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Saturday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Sunday: 6 AM - 6 PM

Fatehpur Sikri Entry Fee

Entry: Rs. 50 for Indians, Rs. 50 for SAARC/BIMSTEC Nationals, & Rs. 610 for Foreigners. Foreign visitors, who purchase Agra Development Authority's Toll tax ticket of Rs.500 for Taj Mahal, need not to purchase any other toll tax ticket, if he/she visits the monuments like Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's Tomb, Itimad-ud-Daulah's tomb on the same day.

Best Time to Visit Fatehpur Sikri

The best time to visit Fatehpur Sikri is during the winter months, from October to March, when the climate is enjoyable and suitable for exploration. The monsoon season, occurring from June to September, may bring intermittent rainfall, potentially making travel less pleasant. The summer months can become excessively hot, with temperatures surpassing 40°C, making sightseeing uncomfortable; therefore, it is advisable to refrain from visiting Fatehpur Sikri during this time.

How to Reach Fatehpur Sikri

The nearest airport to reach Fatehpur Sikri is Agra Airport, located at a distance of 35 Km, and is connected to Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Gorakhpur, Jabalpur, Rajkot and Jamnagar. Fatehpur Sikri Railway Station has trains from Agra, Ratlam, Bayana, Kota, Mumbai, Muzaffarpur and Gorakhpur. Agra Cantonment Railway is the nearest major train terminus, which is about 37 Km from Fatehpur Sikri. It is well connected by bus with Agra, Jaipur, Kota and neighboring towns. Alternatively, taxis can be hired from Agra city to reach Fatehpur Sikri.

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