Fatehpur Sikri is famous for its exquisite architecture and rich history, but there are actually some lesser-known monuments that don’t get as much attention as the Royal Palace, Buland Darwaza or the Jama Masjid. When I visited Fatehpur Sikri in 2021, I discovered some really important but underrated historical sites. All these monumemnts have free entry and open on all days. Let me tell you about these hidden gems:
Barah Khamba, Kagarol, district Agra
Barah or Bara Khambha is situated at a short distance to the north of the village of Kagarol, 22 km south-west of Agra. This monument is a mausoleum of Sheikh Amber who was a great saint of his time. The mausoleum stands on a highly raised double platform, over which twelve pillars (barah: twelve; khamba: pillar) carry the domical roof, hence the name Barah Khamba. The pillars have relief carvings at the base and are four-sided.
The cenotaph chamber has three other cenotaphs, which may contain the relics of Sheikh Ambar’s Relatives. The dome rests on double basement; the octagonal one superimposes the square one. At each corner of the lower basement a square open kiosk stands, which has square canopied roof, surmounted by a cupola supported by four slender pillars. The central dome and the cupolas culminate in an inverted lotus motif and crowned by a stone finial.
Tomb of Sheikh Ibrahim, Rasulpur, district Agra
(16th century C.E.)
It is situated at the north-east corner of the Rasulpur village which lies at a distance of 05 km from Fatehpur Sikri. It is a tomb of Sheikh Ibrahim, nephew of Sheikh Salim Chishti, who built this tomb during his life time. Sheikh Ibrahim died in 1591 C.E. The square tomb is located at the centre of an enclosure which has a bastion at each corner and a mosque attached to the tomb. The mosque is inscribed with kalma in Nastaʿlīq style of calligraphy. The tomb is built of red sandstone rubble masonry; coated with lime plaster and stands on a raised platform.
The tomb is entered through the southern gateway whose front panels are simple and devoid of any design. The cylindrical pinnacles with identical top adorn either side of arches. The tomb is crowned by a dome supported by pentagonal squinches (in architecture, a squinch is a triangular corner that supports the base of a dome.). The dome is painted with geometrical patterns.
Kos Minars on the way to Fatehpur Sikri from Agra
Kos Minar, Mile 09, Furlong 04 on Agra-Fatehpur Sikri road, district Agra (1576-1584 C.E.):
It is located on the Agra-Fatehpur Sikri road at a short distance, south-west to the village of Sahara close to a garden between the 12th and the 13th km from Agra.
The Kos Minar dates back to the time of Akbar when he shifted his capital to Sikri from Agra. They were situated at equal distances on major highways where the arrangements for mail / letter delivery (dak) was made at various points and horses were kept ready. The kos minar is made of brick and lime mortar. It stands on an octagonal basement, which becomes circular halfway up. The top tapers, and a molding encircles the octagonal plinth just below the top. The octagonal and round parts are of equal height.
Kos Minar, Mile 11, Furlong 01 on Agra-Fatehpur Sikri road, district Agra (1570-1584 C.E.):
This Kos Minar is situated on the right side of Agra-Fatehpur Sikri road at a distance of 1.5 km west to Midhakur village. It stands close to the garden which has been a site where once stood the rest house or the Carvan Sarai, a little more than 15 km from Agra.
This Kos Minar also dates back to the time when Akbar shifted his capital to Sikri from Agra. It is entirely built of bricks, lime mortar and has lime plaster on the surface. It has an octagonal plinth with a square base. The bottom part is octagonal and the top is circular in shape after a certain distance and tapers in height.
Kos Minar, Mile 12, Furlong 07 on Agra-Fatehpur Sikri road, district Agra (1569-1575 C.E.):
This Kos Minar is situated on the right side of the Agra-Fatehpur Sikri road and a distance of 04 km from Midhakur village. It is built of bricks and lime mortar and coated with plaster. The Kos Minar has an octagonal plinth with a square base. The whole minar is circular in shape and gently tapered in height. In other aspects the Minar is almost similar to the previous ones.
Kos Minar, Mile 15, Furlong 02 on Agra-Fatehpur Sikri road, district Agra:
The Kos Minar stands on the right of the Agra-Fatehpur Sikri road at a distance of 24 km from Agra and from a short distance of Kiraoli town. It is built entirely of bricks and lime mortar and is plastered with lime plaster. The plan and other features resemble the other previous ones.
Tera Mori Dam
Nothing much could be found about its history but, according to the locals this dam with 13 gates (tera: thirteen) is remnant of colonial architecture style. It is built of red sandstone blocks and layered with lime plaster. Fatehpur Sikri has had a problem of water shortage as there are no rivers nearby. However, a natural lake formed between the hill ridges of upper Vindhyan ranges, has served as the only water source since pre-historic times upto the colonial period. This dam was built to contain and regulate the flow of the water from that natural lake for the people residing in the surroundings.
Gulab Shankar gate in the town of Fatehpur Sikri
A red sandstone gate erected in 1947 is built in colonial style of architecture. Nothing much could be found about its history but I observed a plaque embedded in the gate which tells that the Gate was built by Dr. Gulab Shanker Dev Sharman who was the Ex-Private Secretary to H.H. of Bettiah (Behar) Rais, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra.
Further Reading
- You can see this amazing and informative post about Jagner fort and Gwal Baba temple which is also a lesser known monument around Fatehpur Sikri.
- You can see this amazing and informative post about Prehistoric Rock Shelters near Fatehpur Sikri.
- https://bridgethetravelgap.com/travel/an-idiots-guide-to-visiting-fatehpur-sikri-near-agra/
Thus, although Fatehpur Sikri boasts of well-known and impressive monuments, but, there are lesser-known sites worth exploring. Barah Khamba, a mausoleum with intricate pillars; the tomb of Sheikh Ibrahim, adorned with geometrical patterns; and Kos Minars, serving as postal stops, are hidden gems. Tera Mori Dam and Gulab Shankar gate also offer historical intrigue.
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