Guide to Fatehpur Sikri: A UNESCO Heritage Site

Fatehpur Sikri, a beautiful abandoned city near Agra, is a striking example of the Mughal Empire’s glory. Built by Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases zenith of Mughal art, architecture and vision.

The Medieval city of Fatehpur Sikri is situated on an extension of the upper Vindhyan ranges, in the environs of now dried up natural lake. Though, Fatehpur Sikri is popularly known as the Capital city of Mughals established by Akbar, has a long cultural history prior to it. Archaeological explorations of the region have revealed pre-historic stone tools, rock shelters with paintings on the periphery of the lake.

Sikri has been mentioned in the Mahabharata as ‘Saik’ meaning ‘a region surrounded by water. An inscription found on the stone sculpture of Jaina Saraswati (dated 1010 AD) discovered from excavation at Bir Chhabili Tila mentions this place as “Sekriya” which seems to be a similar derivative.

Although it was abandoned soon after its construction because of water shortages, it remains a lasting symbol of power, cultural mix, and architectural excellence. Strolling through its sandstone corridors and grand gateways takes us a step back in time to experience the greatness of the Mughal era.

Historical Significance of Fatehpur Sikri

Babur visited Fatehpur Sikri on the eve of the Khanwah battle in A.D. 1527 and mentioned it as Sikri in his Memoirs. He founded here a garden, a Jal-Mahal (water palace) and a baoli (step-well) to commemorate his victory in the Khanwah battle.

Fatehpur Sikri was founded in 1571 by Emperor Akbar, grandson of babur and one of the greatest Mughal rulers, who envisioned it as his capital. The city was built in honor of the Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chishti, who had predicted the birth of Akbar’s son, Prince Salim (later Emperor Jahangir). The city’s name itself—Fatehpur Sikri—translates to “The City of Victory,” commemorating Akbar’s successful Gujarat campaign.

Thus grew a great city with charming palaces and institutions. Akbar gave it the name of Fathabad after victory over Gujarat and which in later days came to be known as “Fathpur Sikri”. After Gujarat victory he constructed Buland Darwaza of Dargah Complex which now regarded as the tallest gateway of Asia.

English traveler Ralph Fitch who visited Fatehpur Sikri in 1585 AD. mentions “Agra and Fatepore are two very great cities, either of them much greater than London and very populous”. However, in 1585 A.D., Akbar and his court left Fatehpur Sikri for Lahore never to return again. Political exigencies made him move his capital to Lahore. Jahangir stayed here for three months and the 28th solar birthday of the prince Khurram was celebrated here in 1619.

Despite its short-lived status as the Mughal capital (1571–1585), the city became an unparalleled experiment in architecture and urban planning. Akbar’s vision of blending Persian, Indian, and Central Asian architectural styles is evident in every corner of Fatehpur Sikri, making it a living museum of artistic and cultural confluence.

Architectural Marvels of Fatehpur Sikri

Practically, all Mughal institutions such as the ‘Ibadat-Khanah’, ‘Din-i-llahi, Tarkh-i- Illahi’ Jharokha-Darshan, the doctrine of Sulh-i-Kul and a policy of liberal patronage to indigenous arts and literatures, were founded here It was also here that workshops of various handicrafts were established

The architecture of Fatehpur Sikri is a harmonious blend of Islamic, Hindu, and Persian styles, a reflection of Akbar’s policy of religious tolerance and his keen interest in different cultures. The city is built primarily from red sandstone, giving it a warm, ethereal glow at sunset.

The architecture of Fatehpur Sikri has a definite all-India character. The palaces were but of red sandstone in the trabeate beam-and-post order. Domes have been used sparingly. Sometimes corbelled pendentives have been employed in the transition phase. There are 93 monuments in and around Fatehpur Sikri, protected and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

1. City Walls and Gateways

Except northern side the Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri is enclosed by city walls in east, west and southern side. The northern side of city was not provided with any city wall most possibly due to the presence of a natural water lake known as Dabur Jheel or Moti Jheel.

Fatehpur Sikri city was provided with eight main gateways in different directions and leading to different cities and are known accordingly. These are Delhi Gate, Lal Darwaza, Agra Gate, Bir Pol Gate, Chandarpol Gate, Gwalior Gate, Tehra Gate and Ajmeri Gate There is a small gate locally known as Chor Darwaza in between Tehra Darwaza and Ajmeri Gate. In addition there is Hathi Pol Gate in the northem side leading to Ajmeri Gate. The Gateways has provision of side chambers for Guards.

2. Buland Darwaza

The Buland Darwaza, or “Gate of Magnificence,” is the most imposing structure in Fatehpur Sikri. Standing at a towering height of 54 meters, it is the highest gateway in the world. Constructed in 1601 to commemorate Akbar’s victory over Gujarat, the gateway is adorned with intricate carvings and verses from the Quran. A Persian inscription on the arch reads: “The world is a bridge. Pass over it, but build no house upon it.” This poetic message encapsulates the transitory nature of life.

3. Jami Masjid

One of the first structures built in Fatehpur Sikri, the Jami Masjid is a grand mosque with an open courtyard that can accommodate thousands of worshippers. The mosque features intricate stone carvings, geometric patterns, and calligraphic inscriptions, embodying the spiritual and architectural depth of the Mughal period.

4. Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti

The white marble mausoleum of Sheikh Salim Chishti stands in stark contrast to the surrounding red sandstone structures. Built in 1580, this delicate and beautifully carved tomb is a place of reverence. Pilgrims from across the world visit the site to seek blessings and tie threads on the marble lattice screens, symbolizing their prayers.

5. Diwan-i-Khas (The jewel house)

The Hall of Private Audiences, or Diwan-i-Khas, is renowned for its unique central pillar, a masterpiece of Mughal craftsmanship. This intricately carved column supports a stone platform where Akbar held discussions with his advisors. The fusion of Persian, Hindu, and Jain architectural elements reflects Akbar’s vision of cultural inclusiveness.

6. Panch Mahal

The Panch Mahal is a five-storied pavilion that served as a leisure retreat for the royal household. Its tiered structure, reminiscent of a Buddhist temple, features 176 intricately carved columns and offers panoramic views of the city.

7. Anup Talao

This ornamental pool with a central platform is believed to have hosted musical performances by Tansen, one of Akbar’s legendary court musicians. The reflection of the surrounding structures in the water creates a mesmerizing visual effect.

8. Diwan-i-Aam

The building known as Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) consists of an extensive courtyard measuring 112 meter from north to south and 55 meters from east to west. It is enclosed by cloisters of eleven bays, broken at the west by emperor’s Pavilion. The pavilion is divided into five parts having five equal openings: The emperor sat in the center upon a cushion and Carpets and on either side were finely carved stone screens From this pavilion, the emperor had a direct passage into the Daulat Khana (Private Royal Apartments).

Here, Akbar gave the public, an audience every morning for three hours and used to hear petitions and dispense justice sternly and impartially “but without harshness or ill will“. The walls of the cloisters are carved with deep recesses, which may have been originally painted.

The emperor visited this hall in the afternoon also for viewing the animals of the royal stables. The huge stone rings at the foot of the colonnade opposite the Imperial Pavilion may have been used for fastening the rope of shamianas rather than for fettering elephants as is traditionally believed.

9. Pachisi Court with Dalans

The Pachisi Court is located in the Khas Mahal complex, and surrounded by Diwan-i- Am on the east. Punch Mahal and Dalan on the west, Diwan-i-Khas and Ankh Michauli on the north and the Turkish Sultana’s House and Girl’s School on the South. It is a court of red Sand Stone measuring 66.3 meter by 46.92 meter with an ordinary platform (1.47 meter x 1.29 meter) in the middle from each side of which a game called Pachisi was played.

10. Panch Mahal (The Badgir)

The building popularly known as Panch Mahal is modeled on the Persian “Badgir”, which means ‘wind-catcher’ and meant to mitigate the intense summer heat. This is an extraordinary structure, entirely columnar. It has five stories, each being smaller than the one upon which it stands and the crown fly one being just a kiosk supported on four slender pillars. The building has 176 columns of which the ground floor has 84 columns, the first storey has 56, the second 20, the third 12 and the top storey has 4. These columns are richly carved and provide interesting varieties of design and ornamentation. The ceiling and pillars were originally painted with geometric and floral motifs.

The building was intended as a place for recreation where the emperor sitting in the upper most kiosk enjoyed the fresh air of the evening and the moonlight during summer nights. The ladies also visited the Panch Mahal through the screened passage connecting its third storey with the Haramsara.

11. Maryam’s House (The Sunahra Makan)

The residential building of the Haramsara popularly known as Maryam’s House, is also designated as Sunahara Makan, because, it was profusely decorated with murals and gold colored paintings.

It has four rooms, an oblong one running north-south and three others from which a stair-case leads to the flat roof surmounted by an open pavilion which is supported on eight square pillars and was used for sleeping purposes in summer nights.

The popular ascription of the house to a Portuguese queen of Akbar called Marie is imaginary as there were two Mariyams in Akbar’s court. Maryam Makani (equal in the rank of Mary) was Akbar’s mother Hamida Banu Begum, and Maryam Zamani (Mary of the Age) was his first Rajput queen and mother of Jahangir. Most possibly Akbar’s mother Maryam Makani lived here.

12. The Shabistan-i-Iqbal (Jodh Bai’s Palace)

This imposing palace comprising the principal Haramsara of Akbar has been wrongly ascribed to Jodh Bai. This was the residence of number of the Akbar’s wives and not Jodh Bai’s personal palace. This complex, also known as Shabistan-i-Iqbal, was designated to provide space, both private and shared to women residents. It is the most impressive of all the royal edifices.

It consists of a large open quadrangle on the sides of which are suites of singe-storied rooms with double storied blocks in the center and corners to break the sky-line. The complex has a single principal entrance from east which was once guarded by eunuchs. On the west of the complex is a small shrine supported on richly carved pillars.

It is believed that the niches in the shrine were meant for keeping images of Hindu deities and a platform for the Principal deity. The Azure-Blue glazed tiles of the roof of this place are also noteworthy. It was most probably built between A.D. 1570 and 1574.

Archaeological and Heritage Importance

Fatehpur Sikri is an archaeological treasure trove. Excavations and studies have revealed insights into Mughal urban planning, water management, and architectural innovation. The city’s layout, with its symmetrical gardens, courtyards, and water bodies, exemplifies the Mughal penchant for geometry and order.

The preservation of these structures allows historians and archaeologists to understand the cultural and political ambitions of Akbar’s reign. Each monument tells a story of artistic excellence and ideological vision.

Nearby Monuments and Temples

• Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti: Adjacent to the Jama Masjid, this sacred site continues to attract devotees and history enthusiasts alike.

• Birbal’s House: Known for its ornate carvings and distinctive architectural style, this residence reflects the opulence of Akbar’s court.

• Hiran Minar: A unique cylindrical tower with stone protrusions, believed to be a memorial for Akbar’s favorite elephant.

The Hiran Minar is located in front of the Hathi Pol very close to the north eastern comer of Carvan Sarai. Tradition attributes the structure after Akbar’s favorite elephant named Hiran. Located on an octagonal platform, the total height of the minar from the platform is 21.35 meter in diameter. Crowning the structure is a perforated stone railing, which encloses the gallery above the capital, reached from below by an internal spiral staircase of 53 steps.

• Tomb of Sheikh Ibrahim, Rasulpur:

The Tomb of Sheikh Ibrahim, datable to A.D. 1585-1591 is situated at Rasulpur 5 km north off Sikri. Shaikh Ibrahim (nephew of Sheikh Salim Chishti) built the Tomb during his life time and died in A.D. 1591. The Tomb stands within an enclosure which has a bastion at each comer there is also a mosque attached to the tomb within the enclosure with entrance from the southern gateway. The Mosque is inscribed with Kalima in Naskh Characters.

• Viaduct across the road leading to Bharatpur (Terah Mori)

The Viaduct is located on the east side of the so-called artificial lake once functioning north of the Fatehpur Sikri ridge. It had thirteen vaulted outlets and hence known as terah muhani or terah mohari / terah mori. However, due to subsequent repairs, one vault was filled In and only twelve openings are visible now. The viaduct constructed during Mughal period is built of lakhauri brick set in lime mortar and plastered with a thick coat of lime.

• Jagner Fort: The Jagner Fort, is situated on a hill at a distance of 50 km from Agra. The Fort was built with local stone by Jagmal Rao, a chieftain in A.D. 1571.

• Bara Khamba, Kagarol: The monument known as Bara Khambha is the mausoleum of Sheikh Amber who was a great saint during Akbar’s period.

Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to visit Fatehpur Sikri is between October and March when the weather is pleasant and conducive for exploring the vast complex. Early mornings and late afternoons offer the best light for photography and a serene atmosphere.

Some photographs from personal collection

I visited Fatehpur Sikri in early November, 2021. Here are some visuals of the majestic buildings showcasing impressive Mughal architecture from the bygone era.

Conclusion

“If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Agra.” – Jean-Baptiste Tavernier

Fatehpur Sikri is more than just a historical site; it is a testament to the vision and grandeur of Emperor Akbar. Its architectural splendor, spiritual significance, and cultural confluence make it a must-visit destination for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and travelers alike. Visiting this historic city is like stepping into a world where cultures merge, faiths converge, and artistry reaches its pinnacle.

As you walk through its majestic gates and tranquil courtyards, you become part of a story woven from stone, faith, and dreams. In that gaze, let Fatehpur Sikri shine brightest.