Considered the crown jewel of Mughal architecture and design, Fatehpur Sikri was the brainchild of Akbar and only served as the capital of his empire for a very short period in the 16th century. This palace on the hill took fifteen years to plan before any building took place. It consists of various buildings and pavilions all laid out in perfect order according to astrology, tradition, and aesthetics.
This UNESCO World Heritage site consists of the palace with many structures still intact but also some ruins and of the mosque, which is truly a beautiful piece of architecture. The palace was home to his court and harem including a few of his favorite wives including a Muslim, a Hindu, and a Christian, who all received accommodations according to their beliefs such as a purely vegetarian kitchen and temple spaces for his favorite, the Hindu.
We stopped at Fatehpur Sikri on route to Ranthambore, one of the kingdoms Akbar defeated before moving his capital to this location. It isn’t really near anything big and stands above its small town as an impressive monument.
Since it was part of our overall tour arrangements, we had a guide waiting for us when we arrived. He reminded me a bit of Dev Patel’s characters from Slumdog Millionaire and Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. He even looked a bit like him. After beginning the tour, both Aaron and I thought he wasn’t necessary at this fantastic place. There were signs in English all around the complex. Instead, he was just rehearsing what most of the signs said, and we felt like he wasn’t there for us but for his buddies who he kept saying hi to along the way.
Fatehpur Sikri Palace
The palace is beautiful. I still liked the Agra Fort better overall, but there were some spectacular elements to this collection of architecture. The private audience hall, for example, is pretty magnificent. It is covered with intricate stone carving inside and out. In the center is an ornately carved column on which he would sit during these audiences. In each of the corners connected by bridges around the structure would have been his advisors.
Other impressive structures of the palace include the multi-story, stepped pavilion for his wives, the special, small pavilion for his Muslim wife with exquisite floral carvings in the sandstone walls, and the larger court palace for his Hindu wife.
Fatehpur Sikri Mosque
Just around the corner from the palace at the top of the hill stands the mighty mosque Akbar built. It is still an active pilgrimage site with people coming to pray including many Hindus because of a shrine to the holy man who blessed his favorite wife.
The front gate of the mosque is most impressive as it steps toward the heavens, and the decorations covering the walls of the prayer halls is stunning.
In front of the mosque is an ancient bath house where people would wash before entering. There is also an alms court where Akbar would go and give alms to the poor.
Fatehpur Sikri is a beautiful place and excellent example of Mughal architecture worth visiting. However, no guide is necessary. Without a guide you also would be able to explore a little more of the palace and do it more at your own pace without feeling pressured to move on.
