Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri

Location: 37 km (23 mi) West of Agra, Agra district Map

Open: daily

 

Fatehpur Sikri is a beautiful palace situated 37 km (23 mi) West of Agra, Agra district in India. Its name - City of Victory - it received after the victory of the Mughal emperor Babur over Rama Sanu in the battle of Khanva (about 40 km from Agra). Then Emperor Akbar I made the city his capital and built a fort here. The capital was only 10 years old, and in 1586 the emperor was forced to relocate to Lahore, closer to the restless north-western borders with Afghanistan. With the departure of the ruler, the city was empty forever. Akbar had no children, but after the blessing of the Sufi Salim Chisti, he had a son, named Salim in his honor and who later became the heir to the throne under the name Jahangir. In memory of Salim Chisti in 1571, Akbar built the mausoleum of Salim-Chisti-Ka-Mazar. At first it was built of red sandstone, but was later rebuilt in marble.

Fatehpur Sikri shared its capital functions with Agra, in the Red Fort of which were located part of the arms depots, treasuries and other reserves. During the crisis, management, the harem and the treasury could be moved to Agra in less than a day.

 

Population

According to the 2001 census in India, the population of Fatehpur Sikri is 28,754. By gender, 53% of the population are men, 47% are women. The literacy rate is 46%, which is less than the national average (59.5%). The literacy rate of the male population is 57%, female - 34%. 19% of the population of Fatehpur Sikri are children under the age of 6 years.

 

Important buildings

The ticket offices are located at the entrance to the fort area where the palaces are located. Tickets can be purchased in advance online from the Archaeological Survey of India website for ₹35 Indian citizens / ₹600 foreigners plus ₹10 Agra toll tax on the spot at the ticket counter. Otherwise, tickets purchased locally cost ₹600 for foreigners.

1 Buland Darwaza (in the south wall of the mosque). The Buland Darwaza is 54 meters high. The door was added about five years after the mosque was completed c. 1576-1577 as a victory arch, commemorating Akbar's victorious campaign in Gujarat. It bears two inscriptions in the arch, one of which reads:
«Isa, son of Mariam said: The world is a bridge, pass over it, but do not build houses on it. Whoever hopes for an hour can hope for eternity. The world only lasts an hour. Spend it in prayer, because the rest is invisible."

The central portico includes three arched entrances, of which the largest, in the centre, is known locally as the Horseshoe Gate, due to the custom of nailing horseshoes to its large wooden doors for good luck. Off the giant steps to the left is a deep well.

2 Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque). One of the largest mosque complexes in India and was perhaps one of the first buildings to be constructed in the complex, as its epigraph gives AH 979 (AD 1571–72) as the date of its completion, with a massive entrance to the courtyard. It was built in the manner of Indian mosques, with iwans around a central courtyard. The architecture however blends Indian influences with Persian influences. A distinctive feature is the row of chhatris above the shrine. There are three mihrabs in each of the seven bays, while the large central mihrab is covered by a dome, is decorated with white marble inlays, in geometric patterns.
Entry to the Jama Masjid site (including the courtyard) can only be done without wearing footwear.

3 Salim Chishti Mausoleum. Salim Chishti was a Sufi saint, highly respected by Emperor Akbar. In fact, the emperor held Salim in such high esteem that he named his son Salim (who would later be known as the Mughal emperor Jahangir) in honor of the saint. The mausoleum built for Salim Chishti in 1580 and 1581 is considered one of the greatest examples of Mughal architecture. It is a white marble tomb inside the sahn (courtyard) of the Jama Masjid. The single-story structure is built around a central square chamber, within which lies the saint's tomb, beneath an ornate wooden canopy studded with mother-of-pearl mosaic. Around it is a covered passage for circumambulation, with carved Jali, made from openwork stone screens all around with intricate geometric designs and an entrance to the south. The tomb is influenced by the earlier mausoleum of the Gujarat Sultanate of the early 15th century. Other striking features of the tomb are the white marble serpentine brackets, which support the sloping eaves around the parapet.
To the left of the tomb, to the east, is a red sandstone tomb of Islam Khan I, son of Shaikh Badruddin Chishti and grandson of Shaikh Salim Chishti, who became a general of the Mughal army during Jahangir's reign. The tomb is topped with a dome and thirty-six small domed chattris and contains a number of graves, some unnamed, all male descendants of Shaikh Salim Chishti.

4 Ibadat Khana (House of Worship). A hall built in 1575 AD. in which Emperor Akbar invited religious scholars from a variety of religions to discuss and debate a new syncretistic faith, Din-e-Ilahi.

5 Panch Mahal (Five Palaces). A palatial five-story structure, with the levels gradually decreasing in size, until the final one, which is a single large domed chhatri. Openwork stone screens originally fronted the façade and probably also divided the interior, suggesting that it was built for the ladies of the court. The floors are supported by intricately carved columns on each level, for a total of 176 columns in all. It stands out from the rest of the complex with its pagoda-like, almost Buddhist influences.

6 Diwan-i-Khas (Private Audience Hall). It is a simple square building with four chhatris on the roof comprising a central pillar that dominates the hall and is thought to represent the religious syncretism sought by Akbar. This has a square base and an octagonal shaft, both carved with bands of geometric and floral designs, furthermore its thirty-six serpentine brackets support a circular platform which is connected to each corner of the building on the first floor, by four stone walkways. It is here that Akbar discussed their faiths with representatives of different religions and held a private audience.

7 Naubat Khana (Naqqar Khana or House of the Drum) (in front of the Hathi Pol Gate or Elephant Gate, the southern entrance to the complex). Also known as Naqqar Khana where musicians used drums to announce the arrival of the Emperor. It is located, suggesting it was the imperial entrance.

8 Anup Talao (Peerless swimming pool). An ornamental swimming pool with a central platform and four bridges leading to it. Some of the important buildings of the royal enclave are surrounded by it.

9 Samosa Mahal. The palace's funny name (samosa refers to the pyramidal dumplings of Indian cuisine) is because, in fact, it resembles a samosa! It's clean and well-kept, though be wary of the guides in the palace, who can be pushy.

10 Hiran Minar. A circular tower 30 m high and covered in spikes that look like elephant tusks. Akbar is said to have built it in memory of his beloved elephant, Hiran.

11 Birbal Bhawan (Birbal Palace). Birbal was a Hindu courtier of Akbar, who ended up becoming one of Akbar's closest and most trusted military advisors. The stone sculptures and interior of the palace where Birbal lived are magnificent. Notable features of the building are the horizontal sloping sunshades or chajjas and the brackets that support them.

12 Caravanserai.

13 Diwan-i-Am. It is a type of building found in many cities where the ruler meets the public. In this case, it is a multi-bay, pavilion-like rectangular structure overlooking a large open space. To the southwest of the Diwan-i-Am and next to the house of the Turkish Sultana are the Turkish baths.

14 Jodha Bai Mahal (Jodha Bai). The place of residence of Akbar's favorite Rajput wife, Mariam-uz-Zamani, commonly known as Jodha Bai, shows Rajput influence and is built around a courtyard, with particular attention to ensuring privacy. It also has a Hindu temple and a tulsi math used by the Hindu wife for worship. This palace was internally connected to Akbar's khawabgah.

 

Getting here

By car
Car is the quickest way to reach Fatehpur Sikri. By road and in typical traffic, it is about a 40km drive west (≈50 minutes) from Agra along the N21. From Jaipur, it's about a 210km journey east along NH21. From Delhi, it can be reached by driving south for about 225 km on the Taj Express Highway, followed by the N19 to Mathura, then the N2 Agra Bypass and finally the N21 west to Fatehpur Sikri.

On the train
1 Fatehpur Sikri Station (under the hill near the historical site). Served daily by local trains from Agra Cantonment station. Trips usually last an hour.

By bus
2 Fatehpur Sikri Bus Stop. There are also local buses reaching Fatehpur Sikri from Agra Idgah bus stand which stop below the entrance of the old palace, Buland Darwaza. The journey takes about an hour and a half. The buses also arrive here and make the short journey from the car park.

 

Local transport

By public transport
The easiest way to get around the city is by car or rickshaw. However, from the stations it is possible to walk to the entrance of the historic site. Around the UNESCO site, walking is the only means of transportation.

Bus from parking lot to Fatehpur Sikri entrance. The Agra Development Authority (ADA) runs some old non-air-conditioned buses up to the site entrance from the parking area, the fare is ₹10 per person return.

By car
Parking (at the base of the hill of the palace complex). The car park is approximately one kilometer away from the site. From here you can take the bus (see above).

 

What to do

Guided tour. ₹450 for 2 hours. To get a complete idea of this site it is best to get a guide or at least have a good printed guide.

 

Shopping

At the entrance to the site a swarm of sellers will try to convince you to go to their shop and on your return they will wait for you and start trying to approach again. Shops sell clothes and local crafts.

 

Where to eat

Average prices
1 Jodha Restaurant, Hotel Goverdhan, ☎ +91 99977 02459. North Indian vegetarian and vegan food in a casual setting.
2 Sher-e-Punjab, Bharatpur Crossing, ☎ +91 98372 26765. Punjabi and other North Indian dishes with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Meals are plentiful and satisfying after a long day of sightseeing.

 

Where stay

Moderate prices
1 Hotel Vrindavana, Buland Gate, Crossing, ☎ +91 9412516664. ₹950–₹1450. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. Hotel with basic services.

 

Safety

At the entrance to the mosque you will have to leave your shoes. Here you will find several people who will try to sell you something or get money to "check" your shoes. Don't listen to him. Even inside the open space you won't have much peace of mind.

Be careful because during the hot hours walking barefoot in the courtyard of the mosque can be a problem as the red stone is hot. Better to have a pair of socks on hand.

 

Useful information

The dynastic architecture of Fatehpur Sikri was modeled on Timurid forms and styles. The city was built massively and preferably with red sandstone. Gujarati influences are also seen in its architectural vocabulary and the decor of the palaces of Fatehpur Sikri.