Built in the latter half of the 16^th century, the city of victory is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the capital of the Mughals for 10 years. The majestic red sandstone monuments are an architectural marvel and make for a perfect getaway from Delhi-NCR

Fatehpur Sikri is a great drive, simply because the highway is good and it’s seamless driving. We started at dawn and watched the sun rise over the Yamuna Expressway, waking up the farmland. Some young ones take a walk on the expressway which is way too dangerous as traffic whizzes past.

There are a number of tolls, restaurants, petrol pumps and repair stations, but you have to keep a lookout for the exits. The navigator needs to have sharp eyes and always be on alert, should you wish to make any stops. We had packed our snacks and reached Fatehpur Sikri in four hours.

I am not a highway driver, but did try this stretch for an hour and enjoyed my stint.

Fatehpur Sikri is popular for the dargah of Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chishti. Jahangir, Emperor Akbar’s first son was born after the emperor was blessed by the saint. As a tribute, the emperor decided to build a city near around the saint’s desert camp and Fatehpur Sikri was born. But the city had to be abandoned eventually due to water scarcity and shifted to Lahore in 1585.

Centuries have passed, but the magnificent complex stands testimony to the impressive art of planning in that era. It was the first planned Mughal city and influenced the making of Shahjahanbad, that is Old Delhi. It was rectangular in plan, with a grid pattern of roads and by-lanes cut at right angles, featuring an efficient drainage and water management system. The city was encircled by a 6-km wall on three sides, fortified by towers and had nine gates. The buildings are a blend of indigenous and Persian styles, hailed as perfection by experts. The city was constructed between 1571 and 1573. Even though the capital was shifted to Lahore, the Mughals visited it on important occasions.

We parked our car at the tourist complex from where we bought the tickets—Rs 50 for adults, along with Rs 25 (for Indians) for videography. From the tourist complex, we took a bus to the main gate and then it was a green walk through the majestic complex. Luckily, it was a cloudy day and a weekday, so the complex wasn’t actually brimming with people.

Against the backdrop of a dark cloudy sky, the red complex looked even more impressive. The pure air and chirping birds added to the magic. Constructed on the sloping hills of the Vindhayanchal Hills, we were higher up as compared to the rest of the city. There is a green buffer zone cordoning off the complex area. Cattle grazed and birds flew through the shrubs, as the green scents swirled around us. The heritage complex covers 60.735 ha, with a buffer zone of 475.542 ha. As per UNESCO World Heritage Site guidelines, mining is banned within a 10-km radius.

The complex, the heart of the planned city, comprises administrative and public buildings, residential palaces, largest mosque Jama Masjid housing the tomb of Salim Chishti, living areas for the court, the army, the servants. The Jama Masjid was the first building constructed on the summit of the ridge (1571-72). The soaring horizon makes it a magnificent viewpoint. The tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti is the only marble structure in this complex, a masterpiece of sculpted decoration completed in 1580-81 and embellished again under Emperor Jahangir in 1606.

We walked around the complex to discover amazing monuments. Mind you, there are bats in some hidden corners.

Other buildings within the complex are Birbal’s House; Caravan Sarai, Haram Sara, baths, water works, stables, Hiran tower, Turkish Sultana, Anup Talao (Peerless Pool), Khwabgah (Sleeping Chamber).

Much as one would like to spend more time, the complex has a closing time. We took the bus back to the tourist complex and began the drive home. This complex has toilets, food outlets and some shops, should you like to take back souvenirs. Should you choose to take a guide for a tour, then you can hire government-certified ones from the tourist complex.

Facts:

Fatehpur Sikri is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India.  

The Supreme Court of India in December 1996 delivered a ruling that banned the use of coal/coke in industries located in the ‘Taj Trapezium Zone’ (TTZ). The TTZ comprises 40 protected monuments, including three World Heritage properties: the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. An area of 10,400 sq. km around the Taj Mahal is defined to protect the monuments from pollution.

Several repairs and conservation works have been carried out from as early as the British Government period to the Buland Darwaza, Royal Alms House, Hakim Hammam, Jama Masjid, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai palace, Diwan-i-Am, pavilion of the Turkish Sultana, Birbal’s House, mint house, treasury house, without changing the original structures.

Paintings and painted inscriptions in Jama Masjid, Shaikh Salim Chishti’s tomb, Akbar’s Khwabgah, and Mariam’s house have also been chemically preserved and restored according to their original conditions.  

How to Reach Fatehpur Sikri

The nearest airport is Kheria Airport in Agra, around 40 km away.

Fatehpur Sikri is well-connected to Agra (37 km), Delhi (210 km), Noida by regular bus services operated by Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC). You can choose from regular, deluxe and Volvo buses.

Agra Cantt is the nearest railway station. Fatehpur Sikri Station comes before Agra Cantt. Many trains such as Haldighati Pass, Avadh Express, Punjab Mail, Karnataka Express and Jhelum Express run daily. From there, you can hire a taxi for the complex.

Best time to visit Fatehpur Sikri

August to April, during the other months, its too hot to walk around the open-air complex.

What to wear

As Jama Masjid and the tomb of Sufi saint Salim Chishti are within the complex, it’s best to wear conservative clothing, covering legs and arms. Women are not allowed inside the dargah.

This blog post is part of #BlogchatterA2Z 2023 challenge.

Read previous posts A, B, C,  D, E