FATEHPUR SIKRI TRAVEL Location : 38 km from Agra Constructed By : Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1571 Highlights : Buland Darwaaza, Jodhabai's Palace, Tomb of Salim Chisti Famous As : World Heritage Site For its Monuments

Fatehpur Sikri - Come Discover The Poetry In Stone

Fatehpur Sikri Ruins

Agra Taj Mahal

Agra Fort Monuments of Uttar Pradesh

Historical Overview Getting There

If you want to be a part of the medieval drama sans the sights and sounds of armoured soldiers marching under red sandstone ramparts, or emperors glorifying the pages of history with rhymes of their valour and romance, make your next holiday trip to Fatehpur Sikri, nestling at some 38 km from Agra. This palace complex was built to commemorate the birth of the Emperor Akbar's first child, Salim, named after the great Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chisti, whose benevolent blessings beared the fruit. The city itself didn't last long, but it has been preserved in all its Mughal glory and is still the object of architectural study - and of the admiration of millions.

Ever Met The Talking Murals

Buland Darwaza

The layout of the city shows an intelligent effort to produce rich spatial effects by the organization of built forms around open spaces in interesting ways. Of special interest is the way in which change in axesi occur as one moves along the city and the location of squares in important places with buildings forming an impressive backdrop. Towering walls surround the rectangular shaped city on three sides, and entry is through nine colossal gates. Wander around the humoungous courtyard and you will be overwhelmed to see history coming to life before your peeled eyes. Walk over to the Buland Darwaza, one of the gateways to the Jami masjid, and you can't stop yourself appreciating its size and architecture. The 'Gate of Magnificence' is a stupendous piece of architecture from the outside, gradually making a transition to a human scale in the inside. Besides the rich carvings and ornamenmtal craftsmenship amazes everyone from a connoisseur of art to a layman equally.

Step into the opulent Diwan-i-khas or the Hall of Private Audience. It is here that the great emperor used to have meetings with few of his eminent courtmen. It is here that the great singer Tansen used to mesmerise everyone with euphonic rhythms and music.. Don't miss Raja Birbal's house, nestling inside the Sikri precincts. The house of Akbar's favourite minister is adorned with horizontal sloping sunshades or 'chajjas' and the exquisite brackets which support them. Tourists can also see the famous Moti Masjid complex, which wraps a different attire during festive days. Every year, devotees descend on Sikri during the month of Ramzan for the Urs of Shaikh Salim Chisti, who now rests in peace in a marble tomb inside.

To Reach These Edifices Carved of Stones

Indian Airlines/Alliance Air connects Agra to Delhi, Khajuraho and Varanasi with a thrice a week flight. The airport in Kheria is about 6 km from downtown and tourists can get multiple plying options to reach their desired destination. Agra being an important centre of the Central Railway, is well connected to all parts of the country. The two fastest connections from Delhi are the super-fast Shatabdi Express (journey time 2 hours) and Taj Express (2.5 hours). Both the trains return to Delhi in the evening, making even a day-long excursion to Agra possible. Driving on NH 2 from Delhi is a pleasure because of its four-lane double carriageway with very good and smooth surface. The 200 km distance from Delhi can easily be covered in less than four hours.