Explore Historical Sites at Fatehpur Sikri Near Agra in India

If you are interested in the history of India during the Mogul ruler's time, Fatehpur Sikri is the place you must visit during your next visit to India. Fatehpur Sikri is situated in the State of Uttar Pradesh in India. It is located around 23 miles away from Agra. It is a small town having total population of around 25000 people. It has an area of around 10 square kilometers. Mogul King Akbar came here by walking from Delhi to Sheikh Salim Chisti's dargah to beg for the son. His visit succeeded and he was blessed with a son, named Salim due to the blessings of Sheikh Salim Chisti. So, King Akbar made Fatehpur Sikri as the capital of Mogul empire. This town has been totally made from red stones and minute engravings are made on these stone structures. King Akbar ruled for around 16 years from this place. After this, he shifted his capital to Delhi.

Fatehpur Sikri is well connected by rail, air, and road. The nearest airport is kheria, which is the airport of Agra that is around 20 miles away. Agra is the nearest railway station that is also around 20 miles away. There are regular buses available from all the major cities of Uttar Pradesh. The best option is to reach by hired car or taxi from Delhi or Agra, whichever is convienent to you. There are few hotels also available here to stay such as Prince Tourist Lodge, Shere Punjab, and Gulistan Tourism complex, operated by the government of Uttar Pradesh State. However, it may not be necessary to stay here for night. You may leave from Agra in the early morning hours so as to reach here by 9 am. You can see all the spots in around 4 hours or so, and start your return journey after lunch so as to reach by evening to your destination. You may carry your own drinking water and the food items with you as the quality of these items may not be up to the standard here. Though, the food is good at hotel Shere Punjab, which is slightly far away from the Fatehpur Sikri town.

There are many spots to be seen here. The first and foremost is Salim Chisti's dargah. King Akbar had taken blessings for getting a son here. Many people come here even today to pray for the fulfillment of their wishes. They tie the threads at the gate of dargah, and pray for the fulfillment of wishes. Once their wishes get fulfilled, they come back here and untie it. The Jumma Masjid, where this dargah is located looks exactly similar to the main mosque of Makka. The dargah is made in mixed architecture of Hindu and Irani style. Some of the pilgrims put the chaddar here on the grave of Salim Chisti's dargah. There is an urs held here every year. Buland gate is the next spot here. It is around 85 feet high and is full of Mogul architecture. One old person, who stays here, is jumping in to the pond from the top of the Buland gate, if you pay him some money like Rs.100 or so. This is really a memorable event to watch. Panchmahal is the palace of five stories, built on pillars. This was the official place of residence of King Akbar. This palace is next to the palace of Jodhabai, King Akbar's queen. There are Divan E Aam and Divan E Khas here, where King Akbar was meeting the ordinary and important people respectively. Over and above these places, Birbal's palace, and Mariam palace are also the worth seeing places here. Fatehpur Sikri is made on the solid rocky soil and is located at some height of around 500 feet. Fatehpur Sikri has beauty and history, both of its own and that is evident even today from the remaining structure of this historical city.

It would be preferred to visit Fatehpur Sikri during the winter months from October to March as summer is extremely hot here. Many Indian people of all the castes have deep faith in Salim Chisti, and they all visit Fatehpur Sikri with the hope that Sheikh Salim Chisti shall fulfill their wishes. Are you one of such person having faith in Salim Chisti? Then, do not delay your visit to Fatehpur Sikri.