https://www.thetajtours.com/fatehpur-sikri-world-heritage-site-agra
FATEHPUR SIKRI was inscribed
in the list of World Heritage Site. Made of red sandstone and adorned with
stunning architectural grandeur, this wonderful tourist spot is regarded as the
first planned city in Indo-Islamic style.
Fateh
means Victory, Pur means city and Sikri is the word derived from a local tribe
living around. Akbar initially did not have heir. While he was ruling from Agra
Fort, he heard about a famous saint Sheikh Salim Chisti. And he heard that after
seeking his blessings he would be blessed with a son. It is said that Akbar
walked bare foot for 40 kilometers to meet the saint. The sufi saint blessed
Akbar and said that he would be blessed with not just one but three sons.
On
30th August 1569, Akbar was blessed with a son. In order to honor
the saint, Akbar named his son as Salim. In order to commemorate the birth of
the son, Akbar started the construction of Fatehpur Sikri in 1569 to 1573. The
city is perched atop a rocky ridge and there are wonderful constructions of
similar designs across the city. Most of the buildings have similarity in their
architectural style. The city is guarded on three sides by high walls, towers
and there are seven gates. The buildings in the compound are divided
into three parts- Administrative, Residential and Religious buildings. Akbar
being a liberal emperor inculcated architectural features of all the religions.
The
Administrative section consists of Diwan-i-Aam or Hall of public Audience. It
was a place where the emperor used to meet the common people. The second
structure in this category was Diwan-i-Khas or Hall of Private Audience. It has
a beautiful monolithic carved pillar. On the top of the pillar is the blossom
lotus flower where emperor used to sit. Another building was Treasure House.
The
Residential building consists of Panch Mahal, a five storey structure
reflecting Buddhist pagoda. In front of Panch Mahal was Pachisi board, or Ludo
board. The girls were dressed in four colors and they used to dance while going
from one box to another. Akbar had many wives due to the political alliance
with different kingdoms. He used to play it with then sitting on the top of
Panch Mahal.
One
of the wives of Akbar was Turkish Sultana. In front of her palace was Anup
Talao where the famous singer Tansen used to sing for Akbar. Behind it was Kitchen
and Khuab Gaha, the bedroom of Akbar. The residential area also consists of the
Palace of Mariam. She is considered to be the Christian wife. The most elaborately
decorated palace was that of Jodha Bai. She was the chief queen of Akbar and
was the princess from Amber now Jaipur. Her name is controversial as per the
historians.
Last
part is the religious section also called Sheikh Salim Chisti Dargha. After the
death of the sufi saint, his body was laid to rest at this place. It has
beautiful marble screen work added by Emperor Shah Jahan. It also
has Buland Darwaza, highest gate in the country. It was built to commemorate
the Akbar’s victory on Gujarat.
Akbar
built the city at the end of the 16th century and shifted the capital of the
Mughal Empire from Agra to Fatehpur Sikri. The city was later inhabited by the
Mughal rulers only for around 14 years and was left secluded due to scarcity of
water.
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