Fatehpur Sikri Travel Guide
A red sandstone deserted city that was at one time the famed capital of the Mughal Empire in the sixteenth century, Fatehpur Sikri presently stands abandoned as a ghost town. It was strangely left over for Delhi as capital not long after it was set up probably because of the scarcity of water. However Fatehpur Sikri is regarded as the best example of Mughal design and architecture in India with the confluence of Indo-Muslim architectural designs. This Fatehpur Sikri travel guide will assist you with everything you need to know for planning your day trip there.
Contents
The History
Emperor Akbar constructed Fatehpur Sikri to respect the loved Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chishti, who lived in Sikri town. Evidently, Akbar visited the holy person by walking 40 kilometres (from Agra) to look for his blessings, as he yearned to have a child and beneficiary to the throne of Mughal Empire. The holy person promised him it would occur.
Not long after, his child was conceived in 1569. Akbar was super excited and named him Salim after the holy saint. (In spite of the fact that Salim had a fierce relationship with his dad, he proceeded to be India’s fourth Mughal Emperor, known as Jahangir. He was an exceptionally successful and agreeable ruler who consolidated the Mughal Empire). Following his child’s introduction to the world, Akbar developed a terrific mosque close to the holy person’s abode also.
There’s another story which not everyone tells you regarding the birth of Akbar’s son upon receiving the blessings of Sufi saint. The story goes like the royal astrologers have told Akbar that in his destiny there is no son to pass the throne of Mughal empire as an heir. The devastated Emperor Akbar went to seek blessings of the Sufi saint of Fatehpur Sikri by walking barefoot from Agra. Because of the blessings of the holy man, Akbar’s son was born but as a stillborn.
At the same time, a son was born to the holy saint as well. On hearing the news of Akbar’s stillborn son, the holy saint Sheikh Salim Chishti swapped his live son with the dead son of Akbar. Some scholars say he actually trans-migrated the live soul of his own son into Akbar’s dead son’s body using his holy powers instead of just swapping the babies. This is probably the first case of trans-migration of souls we read in the ancient times, if that’s true.
Akbar chose to migrate his capital from Agra to Fatehpur Sikri. In 1571, he initiated to build the luxurious walled city and royal residence complex, where he lived with his many wives and child. He included the mosque’s principle section door, the massive Buland Darwaza (Gate of Magnificence – the largest Gate in the World), in 1575 after his victory of Gujarat. He additionally named the city Fatehpur, got from the Persian word “Fatah”, which means triumph.
The red sand stone city was finished in 1585. However, the sufi saint dies soon after and being the dry arid region – shortage of drinking water was the biggest concern in running the capital of Mughal Empire from there. Nonetheless, as indicated by a few, Akbar lost enthusiasm for the city subsequent to building up it spontaneously. By 1610, Fatehpur Sikri was clearly abandoned and in ruins as the capital of Mughal Empire was shifted to Delhi.
Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India in the year 1986, Fatehpur Sikri with its grand monuments still narrates the tales of its glory days.
Distance from Agra
Roughly 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Agra, in Uttar Pradesh. It takes approximately 45 minutes-1 hour drive by car depending upon the traffic conditions.
How to visit Fatehpur Sikri from Agra
Fatehpur Sikri is a famous road trip from Agra. For about Rs. 2500 you can get a taxi from Agra for a return day trip. The bus option is also there but it’s not very reliable as there’s only 1 government-run bus which runs daily, but only if its full. Totally not recommended!
Fatehpur Sikri and Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary Day Trip From Agra
If you’re traveling to Jaipur from Agra or coming to Agra from Jaipur by your own private taxi car, it’s advisable to make a quick stopover to visit the monument rather than planning a separate half day tour from Agra. It’s exactly located on the route of Agra – Jaipur, so you can plan the visit easily.
When to visit Fatehpur Sikri
The best an ideal opportunity to visit Fatehpur Sikri is during the cooler dry climate from October to March. It’s open everyday from Sunrise to sunset. Expect to go promptly in the first part of the day when it’s less packed and calmer. if you’re going there in peak summer, it’s best to go at sunrise as it becomes unbearable to walk on hot sandstone in high temperature of the day.
Entrance Tickets
Fatehpur Sikri is comprised of two distinct parts – the mosque and royal residence complex. Guests require a ticket for the castle complex yet not for the mosque. Passage is free for kids matured 15 years and under. Tickets can be bought at the entrance to the royal buildings or online here.
What to See at Fatehpur Sikri
Between 2-3 hours are sufficient to visit the whole complex. Beware of the touts or fake guides or children who offer to be your guide for little money as they often shortcut the whole tour and finishes off the whole sightseeing in 30 minutes or less.
The Must-see Sites are:
Buland Darwaza, at the passageway to Jama Masjid (mosque), is professed to be the tallest entryway on the planet. The 53.63-meter-high and 35-meter-wide gate is the highest gateway in the world and an example of breathtaking Mughal architecture. Built with marble and sandstone, the Buland Darwaza boasts carved ornamentation, carved verses from the Koran, and towering arches.
While walking through the central hall, people stop to admire the proportion of the dome and the gold medallion at the center. The Buland Darwaza still stands tall after 415 long years. Behind this exceptional cut door is the white marble burial chamber of Sufi holy saint Salim Chishti.
On the right side is the castle complex and its Jodha Bhai Gate – one of the two main entrance doors. Diwan-i-Aam or Hall of Public Audience, is a building typology found in many cities where the ruler meets the general public. In this case, it is a pavilion-like multi-bayed rectangular structure fronting a large open space. South west of the Diwan-i-Am and next to the Turkic Sultana’s House stand Turkic Baths.
The castle’s engineering is a dazzling mix of Isamic and Hindu impacts. The living arrangement of Akbar’s main queen, Jodha Bai, is the most detailed structure in the complex. The Diwan-e-Khas (Hall of Private Audiences) includes a solitary column (the Lotus Throne column) that is accepted to have upheld Akbar’s seat. It is believed that from here Akbar started a new religion called – “Din E Elahi” – or the religion of God based on Unity in Diversity.
Mariam-uz-Zamani‘s Palace: The building of Akbar’s Rajput wives, including Mariam-uz-Zamani, shows Gujarati influence and is built around a courtyard, with special care being taken to ensure privacy.
Naubat Khana: Also known as Naqqar Khana meaning a drum house, where musician used drums to announce the arrival of the Emperor. It is situated ahead of the Hathi Pol Gate or the Elephant Gate, the south entrance to the complex, suggesting that it was the imperial entrance.
Pachisi Court: A square marked out as a large board game, the precursor to modern day Ludo game where people served as the playing pieces.
Other eminent structures incorporate the five-storied Panch Mahal (or the wind palace for the royal ladies), Akbar’s private chambers, the Ankh Micholi Treasury, and white marble tomb of the sufi saint – the only white marble building in the red stoned city. Enclosed on every side by marble screens, the tomb is located in the center of the main hall. Arabic patterns dominate the carvings of the tomb; marble and multi-coloured stones on the floor complement the patterns.
You can also spot a tower little far known as Hiran Minaret which is supposed to be the burial chamber of Akbar’s preferred elephant named Hiran, which executed prisoners by strolling over them and smashing their chests. It’s encrusted with stone elephant tusks.
Other buildings included Taksal (mint), Daftar Khana (Records Office), Karkhana (royal workshop), Khazana (Treasury), Hammam (Turkic Baths), Horse stables etc.
How Not To Get Scammed in Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri is tragically overwhelmed by the large number of road sellers, touts, and beggars. Get ready to be constantly and forcefully irritated from the second you show up. The best way to avoid them is keep walking without paying any attention or striking a conversation. Else, they will follow after you constantly until you decide to buy some fake souvenirs from them or just give them a tip.
It seems anyone and everyone in this neighborhood has the agility to metamorphose into a guide. Qualified guides are available near the ticket counter. Try to avoid the unauthorized ‘guides’ who pester the visitors the moment one gets down from the bus.
If you are so needed a guide, fix up the rate (Fixed rate is INR 450 per group of 4 adults) and itinerary up front. Also make it clear that you need only guide service to the monuments and nothing else ( like souvenir shopping , donation for a charity and so on… ).
The qualified guides doesn’t move around like a tout, nor are they pushy. Typically they approach as you buy ticket and enter the monument. Hire a guide for an hour or so in the palace complex for a quick tour.
Pay and release the guide after a tour. Now you can spend your time re visiting the spots again at your leisure. That is the best strategy especially if you wants to relax and see things at your own pace.
By the way it is worth hiring a local guide or get an audio guide if it’s available on your day of visit. More so if you are new to the whole story of Mugal history and architecture.
You’ll have to take your shoes off to enter Buland Darwaza (you can leave them with any of the shoe-keepers siting there in exchange of some little money). Shockingly, the territory is filthy and not all around kept up. Watch out for the individuals who will move toward you a demand that you purchase a bit of fabric, said to bring best of luck, to put over the burial place when you visit. The provided cost estimate might be as much as 1,000 rupees or more! In any case, the material will be removed and re-cycled to the next innocent traveler not long after you’ve laid it.
Where to Stay
Facilities are restricted at Fatehpur Sikri, so it’s a smart thought to remain in Agra. Notwithstanding, in the event that you need to be near the site, your smartest option is Goverdhan Tourist Complex. It’s an essential however clean spot with well disposed staff.
What Else to Do Nearby
On the other hand, you can remain in Bharatpur, 25 minutes away, and look at the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (otherwise called Keoladeo Ghana National Park) there. It’s one of the top spots migratory birds viewing in India.
Suggested tour: Fatehpur Sikri and Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary Day Trip From Agra
New Archaeological Findings
Archaeological findings and excavations points to settlement of the region since the Painted Grey Ware period. According to historian Syed Ali Nadeem Rezavi, the region flourished under Sunga rule and then under Sikarwar Rajputs, who built a fortress when they controlled the area briefly in the 12th century. The area later came under the rule of the Delhi Sultanate and many mosques were built at the place which grew in size during the period of the Khalji dynasty.
Basing on the excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 1999–2000 at the Chabeli Tila, the antique pieces, statues, and structures found all point to a lost “culture and religious site,” more than 1,000 years ago. “The excavations yielded a rich crop of Jain statues, hundreds of them, including the foundation stone of a temple with the date. The statues were a thousand years old of Bhagwan Adi Nath, Bhagwan Rishabh Nath, Bhagwan Mahavir and Jain Yakshinis. Historians state that there is proof of habitation, temples and commercial centres before Akbar established it as his capital.
There’s additionally a free Archeological Museum close to it that is open every day from 9.00 am to 5.00 p.m. but Fridays closed.
A walk through Fatehpur Sikri is sure to take you back into the history of Emperor Akbar’s glory days, if you have a vivid imagination. Be sure to take in as much as you can during your visit to Fathehpur Sikri. Hope this Fatehpur Sikri travel guide makes your visit to the ghost town easy and enjoyable.
Further reading:
- Fazl, Abul (1897–1939). The Akbarnama (Vol. I-III). Translated by H. Beveridge. Calcutta: Asiatic Society. Archived from the original on 4 June 2010. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
- Garbe, Dr.Richard von (1909). Akbar – Emperor of India. A picture of life and customs from the sixteenth century
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