Fatehpur Sikri Fort, Agra, India

It was my second day of stay at Agra. I started at 7.30 by auto to see Sikandra (Akbar’s Tomb), Mariam’s Tomb (Jodha Bai), Chini Ka Rauza and Etima-ud-daulah Tomb. After this auto dropped me at 10.30 AM at bus stand to go to Fatehpur Sikri. I reached Sikri in 1 hour and 20 mins (40 KM) by bus. Bus is better option to travel. Spent 3 hours at this fort.

My Itinerary

In this trip I planned to visit five UNESCO World Heritage forts, a Safari and few tombs which were of great stalwarts of history but comparatively less popular tombs.

Plan All Journeys by Train only – Agra-Mathura-Sawai Madhopur-jaipur-chittoegarh

Bus stops near to Buland Darwaza gate. I walk about 100 meters of steep and about 40 tough steps to reach Buland Darwaza. It is March,18 today and it seems the summer has not set in still and so it is not hot and no sweating.

This 11 KM long fort is UNESCO World heritage site which Akabar started as his capital in 1569. The Sikri seems to be like a village type town. Since I had started at 7.30 AM to see tombs in Agra I had no chance of breakfast, I felt hungry. There were no really clean restaurants in Sikri but luckily I get hot and fresh samosa. The taste was the best so far taken by me in North since years. Really.

By this time some unprofessional locals surround me but they are polite enough and finally I took a class X lad to just tell about Fatehpur (Points around Salim Chisti Tomb) only for just Rs.20. The Muslim lad (his father standing side by looked happy) tells me that Fatehpur and Sikri are part of same fort. One small part around Chisti Tomb is called Fatehpur while main palace is called Sikri. He notices that I am convinced.

The local lad shows me five points which comprise Fatehpur- Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Salim Chisti Dargah, Islam Shah Tomb and Madrasa.

Fatehpur side of fort was much crowded due to Saint Salim Chisti Dargah. I felt as if I have come to Jama Masjid or some Gurudwara.

Buland Darwaza built by Akbar in 1576 AD to commemorate victory over Gujarat. It was almost Akbar’s first major victory. And from here Mughal Empire set their firm foot.

Buland Darwaza- 9 windows above signify 9 Gems of Akbar Court

Now on left side wall of the Fatehpur part of we can see Jama Masjid.

Jama Masjid constructed by Akbar in 1571 AD and personally supervised it.

From Jama Masjid part we can see best view of “Hiran Minar”.

Hiran Minar- It served the purpose on land same as does the light house in sea. Also meant to see wild life, and water sports from top.

]]\View of Sikri Town from Fort.On right side of the Fatehpur fort compound we can see “King’s Gate”. It is called Kings gate as after praying at Salim Chisti king used to enter into Sikri part of Fort through this gate.

The complete geography of this fort is as in this “map” given by ASI on ticket counter.

Map of complete geography of the fort- Guide will show you about 20 points as some points are far and need more time.

I took an approved guide for Rs.450 and first we started with “Horses Astable” and “Birbal Palace”. Earlier there was a wall between the two.

Astable and in middle is seen Birbal Palace. But it is controversial if it was really of Birbal. But I think it is.

Astabal- Closer view. We can see pegs on ground

Inside room of Birbal Palace. Feels so good here.

Just very near to Birbal palace is “Jodha Bai Summer palace”. It is back side of palace as it faced river Yamuna and winds flowed across.

Queen Jodha Bai Summer Palace facing Yamuna river for wind. Back side of her main palace.

In Jodhabai palace was born Jahangir in 1569 AD.

Front side of Jodha Bai huge Palace. Back portion is summer place as shown above

Inside of Jodha Bai Palace. First floor of this palace is not open to public now.

Below is Panch Mahal which was constructed by Sikarwar rajputs and it acts like “wind catcher”. First storey has 56, second 20 , third 12 and fourth has 4 columns. It was used for entertainment purpose by queens and king.

Panch Mahal distant view. Constructed by Sikarwar rajputs and it acts like “wind catcher”.

Astrologer’s seat. As per experienced guide Akbar believed on Hindu astrologers and here astrologer would read Panchang (may be daily?)

Just behind and almost touching is a 3 roomed buiding called “Daulatkhana”.

Daulat Khana- 3 roomed building called also Aankh Michouli- Hide and seek

Below is most photographed building of Sikri Fort. This is called “Diwan-i-Khas”.

Diwan-i-Khas- The most photographed building of Sikri fort.

Murals inside Diwan-i-khas-Every tourist takes foto here without fail.

“Diwan-i-Am” is the part of fort where Akbar used to hear public petitions and give his judgement.

The pavilion where Akbar used to sit to address the Public

Anup Talao- Here magical voice singer **Tansen** used to sit in middle of pond and sing

Adjacent to Anup Talao is Badshah Aram Gah. This was where Akbar used to rest during programs on Anup Talao

Chausar platform- A type of game where men will stand and move. Played among 4 players.

Decoration inside Kaanch Mahal ( Adjacent to Anup Talao).

Inside Kaanch Mahal. These were filled with imported coloured glassesFinally Me and my Guide at Fatehpur Sikri Fort.

Epilogue

Most of tourists see Fatehpur Sikri as a fort like any other fort. But I see that Fatehpur Sikri is not just named “Fateh” but it has a huge meaning behind. After initial faltering Mughal Empire from 1526 to 1555 Akbar changed all Hindu Muslim equations in India and created a coffin for existing Hindu Empires by construction of Fatehpur Sikri Fort. It was like an official stamp of his supremacy on the existing Hindu Empires in India. He united Hindu Rajput Empires by nuptial relations with him one by one and ruled over almost 60% of India. Therefore Akbar proved that its name “Fateh” was justfully given by him. It proved a coffin for us.

But British followed a different policy of ruling, that is “divide and rule” which we are religiously following even today without knowing the “consequences”. We should remember “History Repeats”.