When visiting Agra this palace which appears frozen in time is unmissable. Fatehpur Sikri is easy to visit during a tour of Agra, India or on the way to Jaipur.
The “Ghost City? of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar, the great Mughal ruler, and is now a World Heritage Site. Akbar, who was anxious for an heir, visited this site where a Sufi saint, Shaik Salim Chishti, told him he would have 3 sons. The promise came true in 1569 when the first of three sons Salim (later known as Jahangir) was born. In honour of the saint, Akbar built a new city at Sikri and moved his capital here, from Agra, in 1571. Fatehpur, meaning “town of victory”, was built in sandstone quarried from the hill on which it stood. It was only occupied for 14 years before Akbar shifted his capital to Lahore due to the water shortages at Fatehpur Sikri. The distinctive architecture, a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles, reflected Akbar?s secular vision as well as his style of governance. The site is separated into two areas – the sacred complex and the royal complex. The Badshahi Darwaza, or Victory Gate, an exclusive royal gateway, separates these.
For Agra tour packages including this unmissable sight visit. www.classically-indian.com
