FATEHPUR SIKRI TOURIST PLACE

FATEHPUR SIKRI TOURIST PLACE

Perched atop a rocky ridge 37 km west of Agra, Fatehpur Sikri came into being four centuries ago when the Emperor Akbar, not yet 28 years old, created the first planned city in Indo-Islamic style.

• Area : 8.0 Sq. km.
• Population : 28804 (2001 census)
• Altitude : 194 meters above sea level.
• Season : October-March
• Clothing (Summer) : Cottons
• Clothing (Winter) : Light Woolens
• Language : Hindi, English and Urdu
• Local Transport : Buses, Cycle-rickshaws, Tonga's, Taxis..
• STD Code : 05613

ABOUT THE CITY

Perched atop a rocky ridge 37 km west of Agra, Fatehpur Sikri came into being four centuries ago when the Emperor Akbar, not yet 28 years old, created the first planned city in Indo-Islamic style. The city was actualised with great energy, but was completely abandoned a little more than a decade later.

In 1568, Akbar was secure and powerful but he had no son and heir. His search for blessing for the birth of a successor brought him to the Sufi mystic Sheikh Salim Chishti, who lived in Sikri village. The saint prophesied the birth of three sons and soon after was born Prince Salim, later to become Emperor Jahangir. In gratitude for the blessing Akbar decided to create imperial residences in Sikri, which would function as a joint capital with Agra. As a mark of his faith and his recent victories, he named his new city Fatehpur Sikri. Akbar was a keen builder and the plan of Fatehpur Sikri reveals an architectural mastermind at work. Research has proved that it was planned on a definite mathematical grid.

The siting of the Jama Masjid marked the actual beginning of the city which came up around it. The palace courts were laid out parallel to the cardinally aligned mosque and the sequential order of the palaces were emphasised by change in level. The most public space was at the lowest level, while the royal harem was at the highest.

Fatehpur Sikri is built in red sandstone, and is a beautiful blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural elements. The sandstone is richly ornamented with carving and fretwork. Fatehpur Sikri was abandoned 14 years after its creation. A shortage of water is believed to be the reason. Today it is a ghost city, its architecture is in a perfect state of preservation, and wandering through the palaces it is easy to imagine that this was once a royal residence and a dynamic cultural centre

PLACE OF INTEREST

Diwan-I-Aa

The first enclosure of the palace is a vast courtyard in which the emperor gave daily public audience and dispensed justice.

Diwan-I-Khaas

The Diwan-I-Am gave access to the second enclosure, a large quadrangle which contained all the major functions of the palace, and the finest buildings of Fatehpur Sikri. At the northern end is the Diwan-I-Khas. Also referred to as the Hall of Private Audiences, it is an astonishing chamber dominated by a massive carved pillar, which supports a fantastic capital above which is a balcony.

Pachisi Court

The paving of this courtyard is laid out to resemble the cruciform board on which the game Pachisi is played. It is believed that Akbar used live pieces for the game.

EXCURSIONS

Agra

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

25 km. A paradise of bird watchers and ornithologists, the sanctuary is also known as the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. More than 300 species of birds have been sighted here including the famous Siberian Cranes. The best season to visit the park is between October and February when migratory birds are here.

TOURIST INFORMATION

Nearest Tourist Information office:

• U.P. Govt. Tourist Office, 64, Taj Road, Agra , Ph - 0562-2226431.
• Tourist Information Centre, Agra Cantt. Railway Station Ph.: 0562-2421204
• Govt. of India Tourist Office, 191 Mall Road, Agra Ph.: 0562-2226368-78