Fatehpur Sikri Uttar Pradesh History and Interesting Facts

Fatehpur Sikri Quick Facts

Fatehpur Sikri Overview

Fatehpur Sikri is a town situated in the famous city of Agra district of Uttar Pradesh, India's largest state. It is situated at a distance of about 40 km from Agra. This is a very beautiful depiction of the Mughal architecture of India. It was in Fatehpur Sikri that Akbar made his Navaratnas. Historically important Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in the sixteenth century.

Fatehpur Sikri History

Ancient times it was known as Vijaypur Sikri, but it was captured by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and from 1571 to 1585, Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal Empire. Akbar, after attaining Fateh at Chittor and Ranthambore, thought of shifting his capital 23 miles (37 km) away to the Sufi saint Salim Chishti.

He planned to set up a new city, the planning took a total of 15 years and later Akbar built many Royal palaces, Harems, Courts, Mosques, personal palaces and buildings. Akbar also named the new city as Fatehabad. Fateh is an Arabic word meaning "To be victorious" and later the name of Fatehabad was changed to Fatehpur Sikri.

According to Historians, it is believed that Akbar had gone to the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer to have children and he met Sufi mystic Sheikh Salim Chishti. The fakir said to Akbar, son, if you make arrangements for my stay, then all your wishes will be fulfilled. He made arrangements for the accommodation and food of Fakir Sheikh Salim Chishti in Sikri itself. After some time Akbar's wife Jodha Bai became pregnant, after which she received the Putra Ratna. Being happy with the birth of a son, Akbar was happy and said that where my son has taken birth, I will establish a new city there. After which the plan to make Fatehpuri Sikri was started.

Main buildings Built inside Fatehpur Sikri:

• Buland Darwaza: The remains of many Palaces, Buildings, Palace and palaces of Emperor Akbar's time can still be seen in Fatehpur Sikri. Buland Darwaza is the tallest building here, whose height is 280 feet from the ground. Buland Darwaza is the Tallest building here, whose height is 280 feet from the ground. It was built in 1602 AD by the emperor to commemorate the victory of Gujarat.
• Diwan-i-Khas: Diwan-i-Khas or Hall of Private Audience is a square building. This is where the Mughal Emperor Akbar discussed with his Navaratnas. This building appears to be one-storey from outside, but is two-storey from inside. There is a carved pillar in the middle of this palace, seeing which the tourists press their fingers under their teeth.
• Diwan-i-Aam: Here Mughal emperor Akbar used to do justice by listening to the problems, complaints and quarrels of the people. It is a huge courtyard made of red stone.
• Khwab Mahal: It was once the dormitory of Emperor Akbar. In the evening, dance and music Festivals were held in this palace. The palace also has a beautiful stage. It is said that there used to be a fierce competition of concerts between 'Tansen' and 'Baiju Bawra' on this stage.
• Panchmahal: This five-storey building was used for the luxury and entertainment of the women living in the Royal Harem. The beauty of this palace is that it has a total of 176 pillars, on which the building stands. Different artwork is seen on each pillar. Also the room on the pillared floor is smaller in size than the room on the floor below.
• Hiran Minar Buliding: Here the stones that look like deer Horns attract the tourists.
• Sheikh Salim Chishti's Dargah: On going inside from the Buland Darwaza, the dargah of Emperor Akbar's guru Sheikh Salim Chishti is visible in front. The dargah of Sheikh Salim Chishti is made of white marble. Its construction was completed in 1581. Here devotees of all religions from all over the country and abroad come here and ask for vows by tying red thread in the carved windows.
• Jodha Bai's Palace: This palace was the residence of the Hindu queens of Emperor Akbar. In this a beautiful combination of craftsmanship of Hindus and Muslims is seen. This palace is double floors from inside.

Fatehpur Sikri Interesting Facts

1. It took 15 years for Emperor Akbar to prepare the plan of this city.
2. From here in 1573, the emperor had set out to conquer Gujarat.
3. The Mughal emperor Babur defeated Rana Sanga at a place called Sikri and established his authority at this place.
4. Agra was the capital of the Mughals before its construction, but after the formation of Fatehpur Sikri, the emperor shifted the capital to the new city.
5. From 1571 to 1585, Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughals.
6. It is believed that the Fatehpur Sikri Masjid is a copy of the mosque built in Mecca and its samples have been drawn from Hindu and Parsi architecture.
7. The Buland Darwaza located in Fatehpur Sikri is the highest gate in Asia.
8. The population here is 28,757. In which males constitute 53% of the population and females 46% of the population.
9. Fatehpur Sikri has an average literacy rate of 46%, lower than the national average of 74%, with male literacy of 57% and female literacy of 34%.
10. The city is one of the fifteen block headquarters of Agra district.
11. There are 52 gram panchayats under this city.
12. The nearest railway station to the city is Fatehpur Sikri railway station, which is located at a distance of about 1 kilometer (62 m) from the urban centre.
13. Agra Airport (also known as Kheria Airport) is the nearest airport to the city, located only 40 kilometers (25 m) from here.
14. Apart from this, you can easily reach here by road also.