FATEHPUR
SIKRI
In honour of saint Shaikh Salim Chisti, the Mughal emperor, Akbar the great,
founded a magnificent city on Sikri ridge. In 1571 he ordered the construction
of buildings for his own use and asked the nobelmen to build houses for
themselves. Within a year, most of the work was finished and with in the next
few years, a well planned with administrative, residential and religious
buildings came into existence.
Described as an epic poem in red sandstone, Fatehpur Sikri is a concrete
expression of the towering personality, the ambition and the exquisite taste
of the great king. The Jami Mosque was perhaps among the first buildings to
come up. Its epigraph gives AH 979 (AD 1571-72) as the date of its completion.
The Buland-Darwaza was added some five years later and this 175-feet entrance
gate is considered to be the highest gateway in the world.
Akbar employed local masons and craftsman and allowed them the freedom to use
their traditional skills to create a new style, which has been called "Akbari".
The architecture of Fatehpur Sikri is a combination of both Hindu and Muslim
styles.
Inside The Walled City - Fartehpur Sikri
Among other important buildings within this walled city are the tomb of Shaikh
Salim Chishti, the Sufi Fakir who is said to have granted Akbar and his queen
Jodhabai their wish for a son; 'Naubat'-or 'Naqqar Khana' (drum-house), 'Taksal'
(mint), 'Karkhanas' (royal workshop), 'Khazana' (treasury), Hakim's quarters,
Diwan-i-Am (hall of public audience), House of Maryam also called "Sunahra
Makan" (Golden House), Palace of Jodh Bai, Birbal's house, etc.
Fatehpursikri, however remained capital for only a short period for it had to
be abandoned due to shortage of water. Still, the major reason why visitors
from all over the world throng this Mughal citadel when they come to Agra are
the historical and architectural marvels situated within it.\
