If you are in Agra and you're about to call it a day after visiting the Taj Mahal, then you should definitely think twice. Why? Because a trip to Agra would still be incomplete without a visit to the historical site of Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri tells a story of the convergence of power, heritage, fortifications and ruins; as also faith, religion and hope; all coming together at one place.
Fatehpur Sikri is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once a power centre, Fatehpur Sikri was developed by Akbar as the capital of Mughal Empire for a duration of 13 years from 1572 to 1585. Akbar had a very special reason for moving his capital base to this place. It is said Akbar was having a hard time in having a son who could be his descendant to the throne. He prayed and did many penances. But it was with the blessings of a Sufi Saint Salim Chishti that he had finally been blessed with a son from his wife Jodha whom they named as Jahangir. Sufi Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti resided in Sikri in a cave like formation. Akbar deeply revered the Sufi saint and thats why he decided to develop this place as his capital. Sikri was the first planned city of Mughals. Here the lower level comprises of the Royal palaces, courts and other administrative and amusement facilities; while the upper level was developed by Akbar as Dargah of Salim Chishti and a mosque called Jama Masjid which has the highest gateway of the world called Buland Darwaza.
***
Accessibility: Fatehpur Sikri is almost one and half hour ride from Agra. The total time to see around will be two hours. From the parking place, after entering inside once you buy a ticket, a bus will take you atop to the royal city of Fatehpur Sikri. Govt approved charges of Guide are approx 1200Rs.
***
On the lowest level are:-
Diwane Aam - Where commoners used to sit during Darbaar.
***
Diwane Khas - Meeting hall where Akbar sat atop the Pillar of Unity with his four ministers at Four sides.
***
Chaupar (Ludo) - The board games emperor and his ministers played in the courtyard.
***
Anuup Talao - The pond at the centre of which Tansen would sit and perform classical concert. Pond was filled with lotuses, incense and small lamps.
***
Panchmahal- It is a five storeyed beautiful building where once there used to be curtains between the columns. The Begams of the emperor used to enjoy the breeze and concerts from here along with the view of city.
***
Khwabgah- It is the royal bedroom of emperor that once used to be with a raised bed with stairs to climb atop floor covered with water and lotuses. There is a secret exit on the left and the bedroom also connects to a raised platform where the throne used to be.
***
On the middle level are :-
Palace of Rukaiya Begam: Her palace was made in Turkish style and though small was engraved with all kinds of gold and diamonds (which are obviously not there now as they have all been looted by British).
***
Palace of Mariam: This was the palace of another one of Akbar's begam.
***
Palace of Jodhabai: At the entrance of Jodha's palace there is a huge pot where there used to be Gangajal which she used for her religious rituals. Jodha had a separate kitchen as she was a pure vegetarian. Her palace was much larger than the others'. At the entrance was a large courtyard where in the centre was a planter for Tulsi. The front of the palace used to have a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna.
***
On the highest level are:-
Jama Masjid: With a grand entrance door and columned corridors, you enter a huge courtyard complex, on other side of which is the grand entrance door called Buland Darwaza which is the doorway to Jama Masjid and Dargah of Salim Chishti.
***
Buland Darwaza: It is the highest gateway in the world as high as 54 m. It is the main entrance of Jama Masjid. The gateway towards the side opposite to inside complex overlooks the entire city of fatehpur sikri and its fortified boundaries which only remain in parts.
***
Dargah of Salim Chishti: Dargah of Salim Chishti is made of white marble. You'll pass through corridors where there'll be sellers selling Chadar to be offered at Dargah. To our surprise, the starting price of these chadars was Rs.2100 which were nothing extraordinary for that price. But you'll be told that these funds are used for noble causes. Anyhow, you'll then enter the main Dargah. Sit for a while if you like, pray and offer your respects. The windows of Dargah are beautifully carved marbles where breeze passes beautifully from inside the carved floral patterns on marble.
***
An Interesting fact about Dargah is that outside in the courtyard there are many other tombs of Sufi saints which are lined parallel to each other under the shade of a large tree.
***
So that's the end of Fatehpur Sikri sightseeing.
