Fatehpur Sikri
Agra district, Agra
Established1571
Managed byArchaeological Survey of India (ASI)
CategoryArchaeology, Religious Heritage
A fortified Mughal city built by emperor Akbar starting in 1571 as his new capital, only to be abandoned roughly 15 years later, reportedly due to an inadequate water supply. Its red sandstone palaces, courts and the Jama Masjid mosque remain remarkably well preserved, offering a rare, largely unaltered snapshot of Mughal urban planning. The complex includes the Buland Darwaza, one of the tallest gateways in the world at 54 metres, built to commemorate Akbar's Gujarat campaign. The dargah of Sufi saint Salim Chishti, whose blessing Akbar credited for the birth of his son Jahangir, remains an active pilgrimage site within the otherwise deserted city.
Did you know? Fatehpur Sikri was Mughal Emperor Akbar's capital for barely 15 years, built to celebrate the birth of his son, it was abandoned soon after, most likely because its water supply proved insufficient to sustain the city.
See hours, tickets & full details on Usher Heritage →Nearby
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