13+ Fatehpur Sikri Facts About The Mughal Capital

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Fatehpur Sikri complex is a magnificent example of Mughal architecture at its peak.

The Mughal empire was a powerful Muslim dynasty that ruled over much of the Indian subcontinent for centuries. Under their rule, the empire reached its peak in terms of geographical size and economic prosperity.

The empire had controlled a vast area of land and had a rich culture that influenced the entire region. The Mughals were known for their art, architecture, and food, and they left a lasting legacy on the region, especially Mughal architecture.

Despite its many accomplishments, the empire eventually declined and fell apart. Understanding how and why it happened can help us better understand world history as a whole.

Fatehpur Sikri, the 'city of victory', served as the capital of the Mughal empire and is home to some amazing historical sites. Fatehpur Sikri's tenure as the capital of the Mughal was not long, only lasting 10 years, but it was one of the most culturally vibrant periods in all of Indian history.

The city's design is a fascinating mix of Islamic, Persian, and Hindu architecture that reflects the cultural diversity of this era. Its fate as an abandoned town adds to its ethereal beauty; you can walk among these ancient ruins and imagine what life might have been like during its heyday.

The Fatehpur Sikri complex was built by Emperor Akbar the Great, who ruled from 1556 until his death in 1605 CE. He took over Delhi when he was just 13 years old because his father died suddenly while at war with another kingdom.

The Fatehpur Sikri complex was Akbar's attempt to create a new capital that would be the center of his empire.

Learn everything about Fatehpur Sikri, from its origins to its eventual abandonment. We'll also take a look at the present-day fate of Fatehpur Sikri palace. So, if you want to learn more about this incredible city, keep reading!

Location Of Fatehpur Sikri

If you're looking for an interesting day trip from Delhi, Fatehpur Sikri is a great option. Just a short drive out of the city, this historical site, with its intricate architecture and wonderful stories, is well worth a visit.

Uttar Pradesh is India's most populous state, with a population of 200 million people, and is home to a number of important historical sites, including Fatehpur Sikri. As a result, it's often called the 'cultural capital' of India.

Fatehpur Sikri is just 24.85 mi (40 km) southwest of Agra district, one of the most famous regions of Uttar Pradesh.

The Taj Mahal, one of the most well-known ancient monuments in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Agra. As a result, Agra has become a popular tourist destination. Many tourists visit Fatehpur Sikri as part of their itinerary to see the Taj Mahal.

To get there by road, you can take the Agra-Jaipur Highway to Fatehabad Road or NH 11A (which leads all the way up to Jaipur).

If traveling via train then Fatehpur Sikri has its own railway station which is just three kilometers away from the city.

History of Fatehpur Sikri

Emperor Akbar wanted to build a city that would last for generations and he did just that. Fatehpur Sikri has been standing since 1571, which makes it almost 500 years old today.

Fatehpur Sikri city, or the palace city, was first founded in 1571 by Mughal Emperor, Akbar I.

He decided to build the new capital of the Mughal empire after an astrologer predicted the birth of his son and that the fate of the empire would be tied to Fatehpur (city of victory).

The city is also called Fatehpuri, Fatehabad, or Fatehpur Sikari.

The name is made out of two words: Fateh (victory) and puri (city).

The word Fatehpur refers to the city's foundation, while Fatehabad is a reference to the victory that led to its creation.

Fatehpur Sikri was founded in 1571 after Emperor Akbar I won a decisive battle against his rebel brother, Prince Selim.

The city was designed in a rectangular shape with many courtyards, grand entrances, and elaborate gardens, a critical sign of landscape architecture. The streets were laid out as if they were on a chessboard, with each block containing four houses grouped around one central courtyard.

Emperor Akbar was not only an accomplished military leader but he was also a patron of the Mughal arts. He encouraged art and architecture and even personally designed some of the buildings in Fatehpur Sikri.

The red sandstone city is a wonderful example of the distinctive structural and architectural approach of the Mughal emperor, Akbar.

There are four main entrances into Fatehpur Sikri fort, each of which represents one of the four directions on the compass: the northern gate (Delhi Gate), eastern gate (Khurram Gate), southern gate (Badshahi Darwaza), and western gate (Buland Darwaza).

This city grew rapidly and became known as one of the most beautiful cities in India. It was also considered to be a very well-planned urban center, with its many palaces and mosques making it an important place for trade during Akbar's reign (from 1556-1605 CE).

In 1585, Akbar's son, Jahangir, was coronated in Fatehpur Sikri.

He continued to rule from this city until 1627 when he moved the capital back to Agra. This was due to a number of factors, such as water shortages and an increasing population.

However, Fatehpur Sikri continued to be used as a secondary residence by members of the royal family until 1658.

Fatehpur Sikri has had many ups and downs throughout history.

It was abandoned in 1585 due to water shortages, but it was never officially deserted until 1708 when Emperor Aurangzeb died.

The city was located in an arid area and, as it grew, it became increasingly difficult to find enough water for everyone.

Soon, Emperor Aurangzeb decided to move the capital from Agra to Delhi.

This was partially due to political reasons (he wanted to tighten his grip on power) but it also had a lot to do with the growing population in Fatehpur Sikri.

The city couldn't support a large number of people and, as a result, many residents left.

The final nail in the coffin came when Emperor Aurangzeb died in 1707 CE after a long illness. After his death, the fate of Fatehpur Sikri was sealed.

The city was abandoned and left to decay over time until it became what we see today, a fascinating historical site with ancient tales etched into the walls.

This city was eventually rediscovered in the early 1900s when Sir John Marshall began excavating there.

After independence from Britain in 1947, efforts were made to restore Fatehpur Sikri's buildings and monuments.

These efforts were successful; now Fatehpur Sikri is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Famous Tourist Sites In Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri is an amazing city with a rich history that should not be missed by anyone traveling to India! Make sure to add it to your list of places to visit.

The architecture of Fatehpur Sikri was influenced by the styles of Central Asia, Iran, and India. Some structures were also inspired by Buddhist temple architecture.

The city is home to many historical sites, including the tomb of Sufi saint, Salim Chishti (known as Sheikh Salim), an important religious figure from Syria; Jama Masjid mosque built by Akbar in 1571 CE; Panch Mahal; and Buland Darwaza (the Gate of Magnificence), the largest gateway in India.

Naubat Khana, or the drum house of Fatehpur Sikri, is a structure that is used to store the drums used in the city's many ceremonies and processions. It is located near Buland Darwaza and is well-known for its intricate carvings on the exterior walls.

There are also a number of other interesting places to visit in Fatehpur Sikri, such as the Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque), the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), and the Jami'a Khana (Assembly Hall).

The Imperial Palace complex holds some of the city's most iconic structures.

The Fatehpur Sikri Buland Darwaza, also known as the Gate of Magnificence, was built by Emperor Akbar in 1576 to commemorate his victory over Gujarat.

This imposing structure is made out of red sandstone and marble and is 177 ft (54 m) high, making it one of the highest gateways in the world.

The Jama Masjid Fatehpur Sikri is one of the largest mosques in India. It was built by Emperor Akbar and has an area of 530,000 sq ft (50,000 sq m).

It took more than 10 years for this monument to be completed, with marble being brought from as far away as Turkey.

The Jama Masjid also has three domes that are covered in gold leaf, making them stand out against their white background.

The tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti is a mausoleum dedicated to one of the most prominent Sufi saints who lived during Emperor Akbar's reign.

It was built by his grandson Jahangir between 1601 and 1607 CE.

This tomb is famous for its intricate carvings and marble work, which have made it a popular tourist destination over the years.

The Panch Mahal (five-level palace) is a structure located in Fatehpur Sikri that was built for Akbar's Hindu queen, Jodha Bai.

This five-story structure is made out of red sandstone and has a unique pyramidal structure that makes it stand out from the other Mughal buildings in the city.

The first floor of this palace has a dome on top as well as four arches that support the upper levels.

The Anoop Talab, which is the pool in front of the Panch Mahal, would have been entirely filled with water and would have served as a platform for music, dance, and other forms of entertainment.

The palace also served as Emperor Akbar's residence.

Population And Weather In Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri has a population of 32,905 people. It's one of the most visited cities in India, which means that there are many restaurants and hotels available for tourists to stay at or eat at while they're here.

There have also been several developments over time such as new roads built between buildings, making it easier than ever before for people to visit Fatehpur Sikri.

However, the city still retains its old charm with narrow alleyways lined by colorful houses on both sides; perfect if you want an authentic taste of what life was like during the Mughal empire.

The city is well-connected via road so it shouldn't be difficult to find Fatehpur Sikri even if you don't have access to a taxi service.

Fatehpur Sikri is usually hot and humid throughout the year due to its location near Agra, on the banks of the Yamuna River.

The best time to visit Fatehpur Sikri is between October and March when temperatures drop slightly (and it's less humid).

However, keep in mind that there are also a lot of tourists during this time so it might be more crowded than you're expecting.

If you're looking for something a bit quieter, try visiting Fatehpur Sikri outside of the peak season.

Fatehpur Sikri is one of the driest places in India. This is because it's located on a high, dry plateau and receives very little rainfall compared to Agra.

This means that the city experiences long periods of drought and can sometimes be quite dusty.

Fatehpur Sikri has an intricate water system that was built to bring water from the Yamuna River to the city. There are still some parts of this water system visible today.

The Fatehpur Sikri water supply was not sufficient to meet the needs of its inhabitants, so they built an elaborate underground channel called a baoli (which means 'well' in Hindi).

Fatehpur Sikri's water system was even more complex than other Indian cities such as Agra and Delhi. This is because it was designed to meet the needs of a large population.