Fatehpur Sikri was the imperial city of the Mughal dynasty between 1571 and 1584. Built by the Mughal emperor Akbar, this royal city is one of a kind. The architectural grandeur of this deserted city cannot be described in words and one can only experience the aura of its magnificent edifices by seeing them.

The royal city of Fatehpur Sikri is situated 26 miles west of Agra, and is now a World Heritage site.


A peep into the history
Jajal-ud-din-muhammad Akbar, the 3rd Mughal emperor and Humanyun's son, accessed the throne at the tender age of 14.

While hunting around Sikri his curiosity was aroused by the songs of some minstrels about the celebrated Khwaja-mu'inu'd-din Chisti, the founder of the Chisti order of sufis. Akbar who was without a male heir heard about saint Salim Chisti and visited him in the year 1568.

The saint blessed him with 3 sons and in gratitude, Akbar ordered the great mosque of Fatehpur Sikri built under Salim's supervision. Thus began the tale of Fatehpur Sikri.

Situated on the Vindhyayan mountain range of a sandstone ridge, overlooking a lake, the splendid city of Fatehpur Sikri dominates the skylines for miles around.

The hamlet of Sikri was named Shukri (for shukriya -- returning thanks) by Babur. Akbar named the city Fatehpur (fateh is victory -- city of victory) after his conquest over Gujrat on June 1573.

Eager to make this a reflection of his glorious conquests, Akbar promulgated his farthest-reaching reforms; transformed the city in to a classic example of town planning. His devoted team of advisors created a unique example of conciliation and co-operation and the forerunner of Indian secular ideals of today.

Monuments of Fatehpur Sikri
Ankh Michauli
This structure was used as an imperial treasury, not as a place to play Ankh Micholi, a game of hide and seek with the ladies of the harem, as the name wrongly suggests. Instead, Akbar bestowed his personal attention upon the management of revenue and expenditure with great care.

It is a four-room structure forming a semi-open space. The central room is 5m by 7m. Two staircases lead to the flat roof. The hollow walls have recesses with openings at their bases for storing treasures. Akbar being a collector stored artifacts and rare manuscripts here alongwith family heirlooms.

Traditional guards of treasures in the form of a head of monsters with serpentines form the bottom of struts resting on corbels projecting from walls


Diwan-i-Khas- Hall of Private Audience
The Diwan-I-Kas is also known as the "The Jewel House or The Ekstambha Prasada"(Palace of Unitary pillar). A fine taste in jewelry and knowledge of the market was an accomplishment of a Moghul gentleman. In this royal chamber for imperial gems and jewels, Akbar sat on the top of the capital to inspect precious treasures.This elegant structure with unusual interiors is composed in two stories from outside, but is single chambered with high ceiling from inside. It is surmounted by 4 kiosk and lies in the middle of a court.

Buland Darwaza
The 54 meter high Buland Darwaza or triumphal gateway was built in 1575 to celebrate Akbar's successful Gujarat campaign, is the most stupendous architectural work of the Mughals. The gateway is approached by a steep flight of steps, which add height and majesty to the entire structure. The gateway is designed in colored stone and marble.

Panch Mahal
The most intriguing building in Fatehpur Sikri is the Panch Mahal (five-tiered palace), which is a five-storied pavilion of winds. The first two floors are of equal size, while the next two are graded. On top is a single kiosk or open pavilion. Each of the floors is supported on pillars. Originally, jali screens stood between the pillars. The pavilion was originally used by the women of the royal household and ladies of the harem. From the top of the Panch Mahal, one can have a panoramic view of this imperial city with its buildings, palaces, and the courtyards linking them.

Khwabgah: Chamber of dreams/Khilawatkada-I-Khas
This is a beautiful chamber, on the first floor is Akbar's private room where ladies from the harem could easily visit him. They also met religious guests and watched court proceedings from here from behind the screens. The Emperor retired here for his short afternoon sleep and for relaxation at night. He held an informal court here with his favorite noblemen such as witty Birbal, Abul Fazl, Nakib Khan and other philosophers and Sufis.

Anup Talao
It is also called as "The Peerless Pool or Kapur Talao". This was the recreation place for the Emperor and it was here that Tansen used to entertain Akbar and his guests. During festivals the whole tank was filled with coins handed out in fistful and skirtful proportions.