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Taj Mahal Travel and Tours > Places near Taj Mahal > Fatehpur Sikri - Agra  
 
۩ Fatehpur Sikri
 

Fatehpur Sikri was founded by Akbar, who did not have heir at 26. Regarding this, he visited a saint, Shaikh Salim Chishti who lived in a city called Sikri. His blessing gave Akbar 3 sons. As a gesture, Akbar built a whole new city in Sikri - city dominated by Red Sandstone buildings - the Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri was built during late 16th century by the Emperor Akbar. Fatehpur Sikri or the City of Victory was the capital of the Mughal Empire for period of 10 years. The complex houses excellent monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style - an amalgamation of Hindu and Central Asian Architecture. The complex also includes one of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid.
 
 
Architecture
 
The buildings within Fatehpur Sikri are a unique blend of different architectural traditions. Though the general layout and concept of the buildings conform to the Islamic style of architecture, the actual buildings (mainly palaces), their ornate columns, arches, carving style, etc., show a strong Hindu style in general and that of Gujarat and Rajasthan in particular.
 
 
Fatehpur Sikri
 
Akbar was the greatest of all the Mughal rulers and one of the best to have ruled India. In 1556, he ascended the Mughal throne at the tender age of 14, after the sudden demise of his father, Humayun. As soon as he consolidated his power, he turned his attention towards building an imperial capital in Agra. The result was the Agra Fort, which not only served military purposes, but was also the royal residence. Most of the buildings within the precincts of this magnificent Red Fort are a mixture of different architectural styles. The unique integration of these different styles has given the buildings and palaces within the fort a distinctive look. The assimilation of the different architectural styles was the reflection of the period of prosperity and social tolerance, which was the hallmark of Akbar's administration.
 
 
Important monuments within Fatehpur Sikri
 
There are a number of buildings within the Fatehpur Sikri complex. Each of the small palaces in Fatehpur Sikri has a specific purpose and generally faces a courtyard.
 
Panch Mahal
 
The most intriguing building in Fatehpur Sikri is the Panch Mahal (five-tiered palace), which is a five-storied pavilion of winds. The first two floors are of equal size, while the next two are graded. On top is a single kiosk or open pavilion. Each of the floors is supported on pillars. Originally, jali screens stood between the pillars. The pavilion was originally used by the women of the royal household and ladies of the harem.
 
 
Jodha Bai's Palace
 
Jodha Bai (Jodha Bai was Akbar's Rajput queen) has the most distinctively Gujarati and Rajasthani architectural features. A strong portal guards this place, which was the residence of Akbar's prominent queens. Also noteworthy are Mariam's Palace or Sunehra Makan (golden house), Palace of Birbal (one of Akbar's minister notable for his witticisms) and a miniature garden.
 
 
Jami Masjid (Mosque)
 
Jami Masjid (mosque), sacred center of Sikri, symbolizes the city's spiritual prominence. It stands at the southwestern end of Fatehpur Sikri. A high wall with gateways on three sides opens into a huge courtyard, 111 by 139 meters, making it the largest to be found in the Mughal period. The inner walls are lined with columns and cloisters and the western façade has a massive arched doorways behind which are three domes. In the vast courtyard stands the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti whose blessings are still sought by childless women.
 
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