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 Fatehpur Sikri, one of the three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Agra. Fatehpur and Sikri are two different tourist attractions nearby each other. The first Mughal Emperor Babur visited here on the eve of the Khanwah battle in A.D 1527. Fatehpur and Sikri both are of great importance.
Fatehpur is the tourist attraction which is the white marbled burial place and mosque of sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chisti. Sikri is the place of palaces of the Mughal. All the palaces in Sikri are built of red sand stone with beautiful ornamental designs on it. The walls of all the palaces are known for their fine carvings with designs of various types such as flowers, vines, earrings, vase, paintings from Hindu mythology, paintings depicting wars and a great combination of Hindu, Muslim and Christian culture is seen in all the buildings. Also, one would be astonished to see the palaces built in the Indo-Islamic architecture.
Location of Fatehpur Sikri: 39 kms from Agra
How to reach Fatehpur Sikri from Agra: One can reach the monument by U.P. Roadways, Indian railways, tourist taxis, tourist buses or private tempos which drop you at the Agra Gate of the monument which lies in the east of the city Fatehpur Sikri. If you want to directly move from the Agra Cantonment Railway Station to Fatehpur Sikri then you can hire a taxi from this railway station.
 How to reach Fatehpur Sikri directly from Agra Cantonment (Cantt.) Railway Station? As mentioned above one can directly go by hiring a taxi from the premises of this railway station.
If you do not want to go directly from Agra Cantonment (Cantt.) Railway station then you can go to the Idgah Bus Terminus for getting the U.P. Roadways bus or go to the Agra Fort Railway Station to get a train for travelling to Fatehpur Sikri.
Note: Generally, you can reach any part of Agra using the auto-riskhaws or the bi-cycle rikshaws. So one can go to the bus terminus or railway station by bi-cycle rikshaw which is a one or two seater or by auto-rikshaw which is 3 seater.
- How to reach Fatehpur Sikri by U.P. Roadways? One can go to the Idgah Bus Terminus for getting a bus for Fatehpur Sikri. This is the only one bus terminus in Agra for the route of Fatehpur Sikri.
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 Bus Fair: During my travel in November 2009 I was charged 24/- per head
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Bus Timings: Available every half an hour
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Bus route: These buses travel between Idgah Bus Teminus and Fatehpur Bus Terminus
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Time Taken: It takes 1 hour by bus between Idgah Bus Terminus and Fatehpur Bus Terminus
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Distance of Kheria Airport from Idgah Bus Stand: 2.5 km
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Distance of Idgah Bus Terminus from Agra Cantt. Railway Station: 5.5 kms
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Distance of Fatehpur Sikri monument from Fatehpur Bus Terminus: One can see the Buland Gate from the Fatehpur Sikri bus terminus. It takes 5- 10minutes by walk to reach the monument.
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Types of Buses: U.P. Roadways run a/c and non-a/c buses for Fatehpur Sikri and other monuments in Agra.
 How to reach Fatehpur Sikri by Indian Railways? One can go to the Agra Fort Railway Station to get a train for Fatehpur Sikri Railway Station.
- How to reach Fatehpur Sikri by private buses? If you are staying in a hotel in Agra or have come to Agra through a travel agency then private buses such as Volvo buses can be made available easily.
History of Fatehpur Sikri: The Mughal Emperor Akbar visited Sikri which was a small village. He decided to build himself a capital city at Sikri in 1571 A.D. Sikri was a village on the road between the Mughal’s imperial center at Agra and their spiritual center at Ajmer. In 1527 A.D., Babur had noticed this city after defeating Rana Sanga at Khanuwa or Khanwah. It was named as Shukri meaning “thanksgiving”. Read More
 Layout of Fatehpur Sikri: Fatehpur and Sikri both have the constructions showing the Akbar’s architectural philosophy and designs. The Akbari style of architecture consists of the combination of Timurid, Persian and Indian style of architecture. The use of red sand stone and the carvings on it has been very specially done here on the walls of the buildings. Father Monserrate, the Jesuit priest who visited the city in 1580 A.D. has said that Emperor Akbar has himself quarried stone himself alongside the workmen.
- The Walls of Fatehpur Sikri: The city was within walls of 6 kms long which enclosed it from north to south and there was lake on the western side of it which is a large dry place now. The walls were loop holed and there was a path of 2.5 meters wide for the army to pass through.
- The Gateways of Fatehpur Sikri: There are many gateways through the walls of the city. The Delhi Gate in Sikri village, the Lal(Red) Gate, the Akbarabad (Agra) Gate, the Suraj (Sun) or Bir Gate, the Gandar (Moon) Gate and the Gwalior Gate. To the western side of the city there are the Terha (Crooked) Gate and the Ajmeri Gate. The Delhi, Akbarabad, Gwalior and Ajmeri Gates have the routes from Sikri to the respective cities. The most preserved gate is the Akbarabad or the Agra gate which is used by the tourist to enter the city from Agra or Bharatpur
 Apart from the main buildings which are preserved by the Indian government there are many abandoned and ruined constructions in the city.
Monumental attractions at Fatehpur Sikri: As mentioned about Fatehpur and Sikri are two different tourist attractions which are very near each other. One can see the Buland Gate from the entrance of the Sikri Gate. Also, the Fatehpur Sikri city is enclosed by 11kms long fortification wall pierced with numerous gateways, ancient house which were built for common people and the area where there was supposed to be the lake providing drinking water.
The Fatehpur is the area where the tomb and mosque of sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chisti is constructed while the Sikri has many wonderful palaces of red sand stone to be seen. The imperial complex at Sikri has gardens, palaces, halls, pleasure resorts, hammams (baths) and mosques to be seen while Fatehpur is mainly a graveyard full of tombs of the Mughals.
Main attractions at Fatehpur are listed below:
 Buland Darwaza (Gate): The Buland Darwaza meaning Lofty Gate is also known as the Victory Gate which was built by Akbar to celebrate the victory over Gujarat. This magnificent gate lies on the southern side of the Jami Masjid and is visible from a great distance from Fatehpur and Sikri.- Sheikh Salim Chisti’s Tomb: The while marbled tomb of the sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chisti who had blessed Akbar with a son is the major attraction at Fatehpur. One can see the mosque or the tomb built within the premises of the Fatehpur.
- Jami Masjid: The Jami Masjid or the Jami Mosque was built by Akbar to express deep gratitude to the sufi saint by ascribing the mosque to him. The building is 133.6 meters north to south and 165.2 meters east to west. The construction of the mosque was completed in 1571 to 1572 A.D.
- Islam Khan’s Tomb: Islam Khan was the grandson of the sufi saint Salim Chisti and his tomb is also seen in the premises of Fatehpur. This area is also known as the Jamaat Khana or common religious house for the most distinguished disciples of the sufi saint.
- Badshahi Darwaza (Gate): Badshahi Darwaza of Fatehpur projects from the mosque on the outer side. It is in the form of half-hexagonal porch and is 13.2 meters wide and 18.6 meters high.
Main Attractions at Sikri are listed below:
 Tansen’s Baradari: Tansen’s Baradari as the name suggests is not the house of the great musician Tansen. It is the most preserved and interesting elegant quarter on the eastern end of Fatehpur ridge. It is known for its red sand stone construction with charming pavilion. The road from the pavilion leads to the attractive Dak Bungalow of the Archaeological Survey of India (A.S.I.) built by Lord Curzon. One can see the Sikri village and the Delhi Gate from this place.- Bazaar (Market) with Naubat Khana: Naubat Khana also known as the Naqqar Khana was a place where drums were beaten to make important announcements and an herald to the Emperor’s appearance to the Diwan-I-Aam. The road from this walled enclosure runs to the Agra Gate of Fatehpur Sikri. The triple arched gate of the Naubat Khana is based on the Tin Gate of Ahmedabad belonging to the 15th Century.
- Taksal: Taksal or the Mint is the huge structure on the right hand side of the Naubat Khana. It is known for its rubble masonry walls. It was most probably used for the storage of goods both for daily use as well as the luxury items. It is also possible that gold and presentation coins were minted here.
 Imperial Palace Complex: The Imperial Palace Complex consists of the contructions of various traditions of Hindu, Islamic and Christian style. It represents unique masterpiece of its kind. In Akbar’s time it was well connected and highly planned complex, however, at this time it appeared to be irregular and disjointed.
- Layout of the Imperial Palace Complex: The complex was divided into three parts with Hathi Pol as its main entrance –
- The mardana (men’s section)
- The zanana (women’s section)
- The Official area
The main units of the complex were closed by screened corridors from the treasuries and offices. All the buildings were made up of red sand stone which was easily available at Fatehpur Sikri. The palace complex consists of a number of independent pavilions arranged to form the geometrical constructions of all the buildings on a large ground.
(The palaces in the Imperial Palace Complex are described in brief below)
 Imperial Harem: Imperial Harem or the Haram Sara was an enclosure for the women of royal household. It was protected area for the woman of the royal family. Constructions within the Imperial Harem are:
- The Panch Mahal: An extraordinary structure which is a four storied building of decreasing size, the Panch Mahal meaning “The Five Palaces” is full of columns of red sand stone. The ground floor contains 84 columns, the first storey consists of 56 columns, the second storey consists of 20 columns, third storey consists of the 12 columns and the top storey is a single domed kiosk with four pillars on four corners. Thus, the building has a total of 176 columns.
- The Jodh Bai’s Palace: Jodh Bai’s Palace (not to be confused as the Jodha Bai’s Palace) is also known as the Principal Haram Sara because it was the residence of the number of Emperor’s principal wives. It is not Jodh Bai’s personal palace as it is claimed. This complex is also known as Shabistan-I-Iqbal since it was designed to provide private as well as shared space for the women staying there.
- The Maryam’s House: Maryam’s House is also known as the ‘Sunahara Makan’ meaning ‘Golden House’ and it lies to the south-east area of the Panch Mahal. It is known as Sunahara Makan because of the beautiful murals and gold colored paintings decorated on its walls. A beautiful pavilion on the top adds more beauty to the building.
 Birbal’s House: Birbal’s House is the northern palace of the Haram Sara. It might not have been the residence of Birbal as the name suggests, but, it was most probably the residence of the two senior wives of Akbar namely Ruqayya Begum and Salima Sultan Begum. The beautiful architecture on the walls of the building represents the combination of Hindu and Islamic styles.
These buildings were connected with each other by covered passages and were separated from the Daulat Khana or the Treasury House, Imperial Court and Treasuries or the official buildings by red sand stone screens.
Harem was also an important institution where the senior Empress of the royal family was the mistress of the royal household and the guardian of the two seals of the realm and also the royal seal or farman.
 Shah Quli’s Baoli (Well): Shah Quli’s Baoli is a deep well which is octagonal in shape having three storeys of galleries and two windlasses. Shah Quli (1601 A.D.) is believed to have built this well. Water was raised from the well in five stages by the method used in the northern waterworks. A branch may have led the water to the principal court baths.- Hakim’s Hammam (Bath): Hakim’s Hamman or the Principal Court Baths are constructed right below the Daftar Khana or the Official House. These baths are known for the finest plaster art. They have been built by the Hakims of Gilan whose houses lie just above them towards the north-east direction. These royal baths contain a dressing room, a steam room, rooms for hot and cold plunge baths, two large rooms probably for massage and a latrine which were all finely plastered.
- Hiran Minar: Hiran Minar is the tall construction seen after moving downhill from the Hathi Pol. Abul Fazl has mentioned it as a tall pole where the Mughal used to light a lamp for spreading light in the camps. It is also said that the Minar was used for displaying hunting trophies. There is a flat topped doorway for entry in the minar.
 Water Works: Water works is the construction for storing water. It can be seen after descending from Hathi Pol. The two chambers in the water works area is the place where the men used to turn treadmill for raising water from the deep well. The step well or the baoli lies to the right if these chambers. The windlasses were turned by men and not animals. The worker who stood on the roof emptied buckets on the slop of the roof. The water used to flow into the water tower from these slopes.
Imperial Palace Complex is a big area which consists of the following tourist attractions of palaces of the Mughal
- Diwan-I-Aam: Diwan-I-Aam or the Hall of Public Audience is the colonnaded courtyard running 112 meters from north to south and 55 meters from east to west. This colonnade of 111 bays runs around the court, broken at the west by the Emperor’s pavilion from where Akbar would dispense justice to the common people.
 Diwan-I-Khas: Diwan-I-Khas is also known as the Jewel House is the most fantastic constructions in this area. It is known as Diwan-I Khas, Jewel House or Ibadat Khana meaning “Prayer House”. The interior of this building is known for the richly carved pillar at the center which supports the entire circular platform on the first storey. The Emperor used to sit at the center on the upper platform.- Ankh Michauli: Ankh Michauli meaning ‘Blind Man’s Buff’ is the building where Emperor Akbar used to play the game named ‘Ankh Michauli’ with the women of the harem. The location of this building was at the northern end of Daulat Khana or the treasury House which also seemed to be the Imperial Treasury. Other historians suggest that it was a palace pavilion in which a range of social and domestic activities might have been performed.
- Astrologer’s Seat: Astrologer’s Seat is a very attractive construction of red sand stone which can be seen in the south-west corner of the treasury. The luxurious carvings of stone on the brackets of the four corners of the structure can be of great importance to the photographers. Emperor used to watch the distribution of copper coins from this place. The coins were placed n heaps for distribution among the officers and the poor as told by the European travelers.
 Pachisi Courtyard: Pachisi Courtyard is the large area with the pavements of red sand stones between the Anup Talao and the Diwan-I-Khas of the Imperial Palace Complex. Some paving stones resemble the formation of the Indian game “Pachisi” which was played by the Emperor using the slave girls as living pieces for the game.- Daftar Khana: Daftar Khana or the Record Office is the building of red sand stone outside the Treasury House or the Daulat Khana Complex. The beautifully double carved columns on the outer space of the building, empty spaces used for keeping the office records and some carvings on the walls of the building makes it attractive.
- Turkish Sultana’s Pavilion: Turkish Sultana’s Pavilion also known as the Hujra-I-Anup Talao is described as a ‘Superb Jewel Casket’. It is a construction on the north-east of Anup Talao and is a small beautiful structure with carvings on its brackets, pillars and plasters. These appear to be a wooden work even when it is carved beautifully on a red sand stone.
 Anup Talao: Anup Talao is also known as the Peerless Pool which is a 29 meters square tank situated towards the north-east of the Diwan-I-Khas. Steps are seen on all the four sides of the water tanl and it was renovated in 1840s. The central island is linked by four bridges to its sides and is the center of attraction in the Imperial Palace Complex.- Diwan Khana-I-Khas and Khwabagah: Diwan Khana-I-Khas and Khwabagah meaning ‘Dreamland’ was the sleeping chamber of the Emperor. The chamber was easily accessed by the ladies of the Harem Sara. The Emperor would also listen to the read out passages from books or he would chat with his courtiers Abul Fazl and Raja Birbal.
- Nagina Masjid (Nagina Mosque): Nagina Masjid or the Nagina Mosque lies near the Hathi Pol entrance gate in Fatehpur Sikri and is like all the other Mughal mosques which was constructed for worship for the ladies of the Imperial Harem.
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