For a long time, Mughal emperor Akbar had no son to succeed him. On hearing that the Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chishti could perform miracles, he went to see him and seek his blessings. And it worked! Soon Akbar was blessed with his first son Salim, who went on to become Emperor Jahangir. As a mark of gratitude and respect, between 1571-73, Akbar had the city of Fatehpur Sikri built around Salim Chishti's camp, about 40 km from Agra, and shifted his capital there.
The city was the Mughal capital only for about 14 years, but is an awesome example of Akbar's secular ideals, with its mix of Hindu, Persian, Buddhist and Christian architectural elements.
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| The imperial palace complex |
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| The Diwan-e-Khaas or the hall of private audience |
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| Apparently, Akbar sat on the platform atop this ornate pillar while listening to pleas and debates |
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| The palace of Jodha bai, Akbar's Hindu wife |
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| Anoop Talao. A pool with an island and four bridges neaer the Diwan-e-khaas |
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| Carvings on the palace of Akbar's Turkish wife |
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| The dargah of Sheik Salim Chishti |
It is believed that if you tie a thread onto one of the marble jaalis of this dargah and make a wish, it will come true.
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| The central portion of the huge Jama Masjid |
This is me. With two bags and neon socks, in front of the magnificent 54 meter high Buland Darwaza. Ashwin took this picture :)
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| Me and the Buland Darwaza :) |
Fatehpur Sikri and its monuments have been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, so this goes into the list of sites I've visited this year for the
Go Unesco challenge :)
Labels: Agra, Akbar, Architecture, Art, Buland Darwaza, Culture and Heritage, Dargah, Fatehpur Sikri, Heritage, History, Islam, Monuments of India, Mughal, Muslim, Nikon D700, Salim Chishti, Travel, UNESCO, World Heritage Site
