Fatehpur Sikri, Agra

The heritage site of Fatehpur Sikri is located 40 kilometers from Agra India. You can see this magnificent city with its amazing monuments of red sandstone and marble, built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great, on tours to Agra with Agra Hub.

According to legend, the Emperor Akbar, though he had many wives, did not have an heir. He went on a pilgrimage to Sheikh Salim Chisti, a Sufi saint who lived near Agra and sought his blessings. Akbar was blessed with an heir, who he named Salim, after the saint, in gratitude. (Salim later inherited the throne as the Mughal Emperor Jahangir.)

The beautiful monuments at Fatehpur Sikri are a synthesis of Islamic and Hindu architecture reflecting the religious tolerance of Akbar. Akbar also founded a syncretic religion called Din-i-Illahi, which inspired some of the buildings at Fatehpur Sikri. The city of Fatehpur Sikri was built as a sign of the Emperor Akbar's gratitude to Sheikh Salim Chisti. Work on the city started in 1571 and was completed 15 years later. Agra Hub takes you on tours to Agra which include the historic destination of Fatehpur Sikri.

Some of the grand structures at Fatehpur Sikri include the Panch Mahal, the Buland Darwaza, the tomb of Salim Chisti, the Jama Masjid Mosque and the life-size chessboard where courtiers could play the role of pieces. The architectural beauty of the monuments of Fatehpur Sikri have led to its being declared a World Heritage Site. Fatehpur Sikri is considered to be one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in India. You can see the amazing monuments of Fatehpur Sikri on tours to Agra with Agra Hub.

The city of Fatehpur Sikri was abandoned shortly after Akbar's death because the lack of water made it difficult to sustain the city. The newly built city was deserted and remains in a pristine state, with the beautiful carvings and latticework on the buildings retained in their original state of preservation. You can see the heritage site of Fatehpur Sikri on tours to Agra with Agra Hub.