Fatehpur Sikri
Emperor Akbar established the capital of the Mughal Empire in 1571 at a place called Sikri. This decision followed the birth of his son Jahangir in the village of Sikri during 1569. The saint Sheikh Salim Chishti had predicted this child's arrival, prompting Akbar to build a religious compound there. By 1573, after winning a campaign in Gujarat, the city became known as Fatehpur Sikri or City of Victory. Archaeological excavations between 1999 and 2000 revealed that housing, temples, and commercial centers existed before Akbar arrived. Historian Syed Ali Nadeem Rezavi notes the region flourished under Sunga rule and later Kanyakubja Brahmins from the 7th to 16th century CE. Babur and Humayun redesigned the urban layout before Akbar took over. Babur called the place Shukri meaning Thanks due to its large lake used by armies. He constructed a garden here called Garden of Victory after defeating Rana Sangha.
The city was built massively using red sandstone with influences from Timurid forms and styles. Gujarati elements appear in the architectural vocabulary and decor of the palaces. Hindu and Muslim domestic architecture popular in India at the time shaped the design. A 40 meter high ridge organizes the ground structures into a rhombus shape. The palace city is surrounded by a wall on three sides while the fourth borders a lake. Buland Darwaza stands 40 meters high and serves as an organizing element for the entire city. It carries inscriptions including one stating Isa Son of Mariam said the world is a bridge pass over it. Jama Masjid features iwans around a central courtyard with chhatri rows over the sanctuary. Tomb of Salim Chishti uses white marble encasement with mother-of-pearl mosaic under an ornate wooden canopy. Panch Mahal contains 176 intricately carved columns supporting five stories that diminish in size. Jodha Bai Mahal shows Rajput influence and includes a Hindu temple for worship.
Akbar abandoned the city in 1585 when he went to fight a campaign in Punjab. Complete abandonment occurred by 1610 due to water supply failure or loss of interest. William Finch visited four to five years after Akbar's death and stated it was all ruin lying like a waste desert. An epidemic of bubonic plague struck between 1616 and 1624 causing Jahangir to stay for three months in 1619. Muhammad Shah stayed here later but conditions worsened with the decline of the Mughal Empire. Ralph Fitch described Agra and Fatehpore Sikri as two very great cities much greater than London. The population in 1901 numbered 7,147 people living within the town limits. Akbar visited the city only once in 1601 after abandoning it completely. The reason for its final desertion remains tied to the failure of water supply systems.
Gerard Lake left cumbersome baggage and siege guns in the town while chasing Daulat Rao Sindhia's battalions in October 1803. After occupying Agra in 1803 the East India Company established an administrative center there. This facility remained operational until 1850 when British control shifted elsewhere. In 1815 the Marquess of Hastings ordered repairs on monuments at Sikri and Sikandra. The town functioned as a municipality from 1865 to 1904 before becoming a notified area. Archaeological Survey of India excavations between 1999 and 2000 uncovered antique pieces and statues pointing to lost culture over 1,000 years ago. Swarup Chandra Jain noted hundreds of Jain statues including foundation stones of temples with dates. These findings confirm habitation existed long before Akbar built his capital city.
The 2011 Indian Census recorded a total population of 32,905 people living in Fatehpur Sikri. Males numbered 17,392 while females counted 15,513 within the same year. Population aged zero to six years totaled 5,139 individuals according to official records. Literacy rates showed 17,236 literates constituting 52.4 percent of the total population. Male literacy reached 60.4 percent while female literacy stood at 43.4 percent. Effective literacy rate for seven plus population was 62.1 percent overall. Scheduled Castes made up 4,110 residents and Scheduled Tribes only one person. The town contained 4,936 households during that census period. Language data indicated 98.81 percent identified as Hindi speakers and 1.04 percent as Brajbhasha speakers.
Fatehpur Sikri received World Heritage Site status in 1986 due to its historical importance as the Mughal capital. Outstanding architecture featuring red sandstone structures contributed significantly to this global designation. Urban archaeologists conclude the city was built primarily to afford leisure and luxury to famous residents. The general layout includes continuous compact patterns of gardens services and facilities throughout the area. Access occurs through gates along the long fort wall including Delhi Gate Lal Gate Agra Gate and Birbal's Gate. The palace contains summer and winter palaces for Queen Mariam-uz-Zamani commonly known as Jodha Bai. Jama Masjid features a massive entrance courtyard with Buland Darwaza added five years later. Tomb of Salim Chishti stands within the mosque courtyard under an ornate wooden canopy. Panch Mahal displays five stories supported by 176 intricately carved columns reducing in size upward.
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Common questions
When did Emperor Akbar establish Fatehpur Sikri as the capital of the Mughal Empire?
Emperor Akbar established the capital of the Mughal Empire in 1571 at a place called Sikri. This decision followed the birth of his son Jahangir in the village of Sikri during 1569.
Why was Fatehpur Sikri abandoned by the Mughal rulers?
Akbar abandoned the city in 1585 when he went to fight a campaign in Punjab. Complete abandonment occurred by 1610 due to water supply failure or loss of interest.
What architectural features define the structures within Fatehpur Sikri?
The city was built massively using red sandstone with influences from Timurid forms and styles. A 40 meter high ridge organizes the ground structures into a rhombus shape while Buland Darwaza stands 40 meters high as an organizing element for the entire city.
Who is Sheikh Salim Chishti and what role does he play in Fatehpur Sikri history?
The saint Sheikh Salim Chishti had predicted the arrival of Emperor Akbar's son Jahangir which prompted Akbar to build a religious compound there. The Tomb of Salim Chishti uses white marble encasement with mother-of-pearl mosaic under an ornate wooden canopy.
When did Fatehpur Sikri receive World Heritage Site status?
Fatehpur Sikri received World Heritage Site status in 1986 due to its historical importance as the Mughal capital. Outstanding architecture featuring red sandstone structures contributed significantly to this global designation.