In the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, about 40 kilometers southwest of the city of Agra, is the city of Fatehpur Sikri, which has about 30,000 inhabitants. From 1571 to 1585 it was the capital of the then Mughal Empire. Numerous magnificent architectural monuments also date from this time. These have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1986.
The royal palace complex is particularly impressive, all the buildings here are made of red stone and have incredible attention to detail. Particularly noteworthy are the magnificent audience chambers, the Panch Mahal, and the harem complex. Slightly southwest of the palace is another main attraction, the Jami Masjid or Dargah Mosque, it is the center of the Sufi shrine and contains the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti. Like the other buildings, it was originally made of red sandstone, but was later covered with marble and now differs from the buildings of the royal palace, at least in terms of color.
Royal Palace
The city of Fatehpur Sikri is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh and was the capital of the Mughal Empire in the late 16th century. The royal palace Diwan-i-Aam and its court complex are mostly well preserved. It was built by the great Mughal Akbar between 1569 and 1574 and in 1571 he moved there with his entourage. The palace complex has an audience chamber surrounded by lattice grills decorated with semi-precious stones and ornate archways. Here subjects were allowed to address their petitions to the great Mughal. The palace was moved out again in 1585, possibly due to water shortages. The local population long depended on agriculture, but in the second half of the 20th century, they found a profitable source of income in tourism. On a tour of India’s breathtaking landscapes and spectacular scenery, a visit to the Royal Palace should be at the top of your list.
Jama Masjid
India – a land of cultures and religions, history and customs. Visiting India can be inspiring and scary at the same time. But anyone who has ever traveled to India will come back because this country and its hospitable people quickly captivate travelers.
One of the main attractions is Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri, located in the state of Uttar Pradesh and just outside Agra, was once the capital of the Mughal Empire. Today this complex with its breathtakingly beautiful monuments has the subtitle “Ghost Town” and has been part of the World Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 1986.
The first building that catches your attention is the Jama Masjid mosque also known as the “Friday Mosque” or Dargah Mosque. High on a hill, the magnificent mosque, one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in India, towers over Fatehpur Sikri. The impressive monumental gate, which was built as a victory gate, is especially worth seeing.
The city mesmerizes with its marvelously decorated palaces, archways, and women’s chambers. An amazing story worth touching, wondering, and dreaming about – that is Fatehpur Sikri.
