Fatehpur Sikri

May 29, 2011 November 22, 2013

Fatehpur Sikri was the first planned city of the Mughals.
It is also the place demonstrating the first heritage of the Mughal architecture, an amalgamation of the Persian, Hindu and Islamic architecture.
It was virtually the capital of Akbar from 1571 to 1585. However, later it was abandoned mostly because of the problem of drinking water supply.

Fatehpur Sikri is a world heritage site declared in 1986. The important monuments in Fatehpur Sikri are:

Buland Darwaja : Built in 1576-77 in commemoration of Akbar’s Gujarat Victory.
Jama Masjid
Tomb of Salim Chisti: This is a singular monument encased in white marble encrusted with mother of pearl (Nacre) mosaic. the Jalis in the circumambulation with intricate geometric designs is its special feature.
Diwan-i-aam: The hall of public audience
Diwan-i-Khas: The hall of private audience.
Naubat Khana: the Drum House
Panch Mahal: The court for ladies.
Birbal’s house: the home to the favourite Vazir of Akbar.
Anup Talao: A pool

Today, this beautiful city, though a great tourist destination, is a deserted. It was abandoned and ever since has remained the desolate and abandoned city.

A few years back, some Jain & Hindu idols were found which were dated 1010 AD near the Birbal ka Tila site which have rise to a hot debate that this beautiful city was actually a great Hindu site, that was vandalized by the great Mughal.

Whatever may be the truth, but palaces, tombs, mosques, baths, lake and everything at Fatehpur Sikri is a great Indian Heritage through which we recognize the grandeur and pomp of Akbar, greatest of Indian emperors.

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