Agra india: fatehpur sikri

Showing posts with label fatehpur sikri. Show all posts

Monday, April 25, 2011

Friday, April 22, 2011

Fatehpur Sikri is about 37 kilometers from the city of Agra. Taxis and buses are available that travel to Fatehpur Sikri.Agra airport is 7 km from the city center and 3 km from Idgah bus stand. Major Indian airlines operate daily tourist shuttle flights to Agra, Khajuraho, Varanasi and back. It only takes 40 minutes from Delhi to Agra.

Rail

Agra is well connected by railroad. The main railway station is the Agra Cantonment station. Agra is well connected by rail to Delhi, Varanasi and cities of Rajasthan. Trains like Palace on Wheel, Shatabdi, Rajdhani, and Taj Express are the best choices if you want to reach Agra from Delhi in luxury.

Road

Idgah bus stand is the main bus stand of Agra, from where one can catch buses for Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Fatehpur-Sikri, etc. Buses for Mathura also leave from Agra Fort bus stand.

Fatehpur Sikri Architecture

Fatehpur Sikri is an ideal example of Hindu-Muslim architectural fusion. This red sand stone monument has various royal palaces which reflects Gujrati and Rajasthani architectural styles, using ornate columns, fanciful jali work, intricate carvings and surface ornamentation. The palaces that are available inside the Fatehpur Sikri are largely a sequence of connected rectangular courtyards.

Palace of Jodha Bai

As the name suggest, this is the palace of Akbar's Rajput wife, Jodha Bai. It is the largest and the most important building in Fatehpur Sikri. Located to the left of the Sunhera Makan, this palace is highly guarded. This spacious palace has high walls and a 9 metre guarded gate to the east. It is embellished with Hindu style of columns and Muslim cupolas.


Entrance Gate of Jodha Bai Palace


Most Important Building In Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri

Bulund Darwaza

Bulund Darwaza, constructed around 1576 A.D, is the highest and grandest gateway in India and also regarded as the one of the biggest in world. It was erected to commemorate the triumph of Emperor Akbar over Gujrat. It can be approached from the outside by a 13m flight of steps which adds to its grandeur.The monumental 54 m high Buland Darwaza, the Gate of Victory, is the main entrance. It was constructed to commemorate Akbar's victory in Gujarat. A koranic inscription upon it read, "The world is a bridge, pass over it but built no house upon it. He who hopes for an hour, hopes for Eternity, for the world is but an hour". Just outside the gateway is a deep well wherein local daredevils leap from the top of the entrance into the water. The Shahi Darwaza is the official entrance, where licensed guides can be hired.


Bulund Darwaza

Entrance Gate

Different angle of Bulund Darwaza

Tomb of Shaikh Salim Chisti

The tomb visited by many seeking fulfillment of their wishes was built in 1570. The carved marble lattice screens (jalis) are simply remarkable. Within the courtyard is the another tomb of Islam Khan, the saint's garden.Childless women from various parts of country comes here to seek the blessings of the Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chisti and they will tie a knot at the building so that their wishes will come true. Even Akbar was blessed with a son, when he came here. So, to show his gratitude, the great Mughal emperor Akbar has constructed this tomb in the year 1570 A.D. This tomb is embellished with finest lattice work in the entire country.

Tomb Of Salim Christi

Tying knot so that wishes will be fulfilled


Very popular attraction in Fatehpur Sikri

The Jama Masjid

This mosque of Fatehpur Sikri is regarded as one of the largest mosque in India. It was build in 1571 A.D and said to be the copy of main mosque at Mecca. It architectural design displays exclusively Muslim derivation. A vast congregational courtyard is built inside Jama Masjid. To the right, at the corner, is the Jammat Khana Hall and next to this is the tomb of the royal ladies. The mosque of Stone Cutters’, the oldest place of worship at Fatehpur Sikri, is built at the left side of Jama Masjid. The main entrance to the Jama Masjid is in the eastern side known as the Buland Darwaza. Jama Masjid (mosque), sacred center of Sikri, symbolizes the city's spiritual prominence.


Jama Masjid

Performing Friday Prayer

displays exclusively Muslim derivation

Panch Mahal

A five storied architectural marvel and Akbar's personal citadel of pleasure, where he would spend his evenings with the ladies of the harem. Nearby is the Astrologer's seat, an ornamented pavilion where the resident astrologer played an important role in day to day court life.Panch Mahal (five-tiered palace) is an intriguing five-storied pavilion of winds. The Turkish Sultan's palace is known for exquisitely carved panels depicting wildlife-lions, birds, and foliage.

The first floor has 84 pillars with row of eight pillars arranged in north to south direction and row of six pillars arranged in east to west direction.

The second floor has 56 pillars with row of six pillars in north to south direction and row of four pillars in east to west direction and also beautiful carved pillars with unique designs. Capitals of these pillars also contain beautiful carved designs like floral vase, arch or rosette pattern. This floor also has a projecting chhajja and a carved frieze.

The third floor is composed of 20 pillars with smaller in size. It contains row of five pillars from north to south and row of three pillars from east west direction having double pillars at northeast corner. The fourth floor has 12 pillars in two rows. Pillars on eastern side are double. This floor also has beautiful jalied balustrade. The top of the building is decorated with beautiful square chhatri with a cupola.

Panch Mahal

five-storied pavilion

top of the building is decorated with beautiful square chhatri with a cupola.

Mariyam's House

is architecturally small and simple building but profusely painted in the interior and the exterior, in pleasing colour combination with gold. Now this building is popularly known as Maryam's House as it was abode of Akbar's Mother Hamida Banu Begum, who was entitled Maryam Makani (Equal in rank to Mary). This North oriented building, stands over a rectangular plinth, which is 18.23m north to South by 14.75m East to West in dimension and reached by steps centrally placed on Each side. It is composed of four rooms, one in the centre and other three at the back facing south.

Rama and Hanuman, most popular Hindu deities are carved in relief of the brackets, on the northern façade of the building, which shows Akbar's liberal attitude towards the art without any discrimination. The interior has beautiful paintings depicting elephant fights, hunting, battle scene and tournaments. Pilaster of Northwest corner contains scenes depicting nature. In addition to the murals, the palace also has series of carved designs like row of elephants, hamsa (swan), and kirti mukhas on the brackets and chhajja bears.

Mariyam's house

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Location of Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri is located 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Agra, in Uttar Pradesh.

Fatehpur Sikri is located in Agra

Fatehpur Sikri is one of the attraction in India

Tourist Information of Fatehpur Sikri

The Best Time To Visit Fatehpur Sikri

Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset.
From November to February
The best time to visit is during the cooler dry weather

Entrance Fee Fatehpur Sikri

Entry fee for those above 12 years - Rs. 5.00.
Children below than 15 years are free.
Rs.5.00 = RM 0.33
Free entry on Fridays.

Introduction of Fatehpur Sikri

Once the capital of Great Mughal emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri is now counted among one of the most visited UNESCO World Heritage Monument.Positioned just 37 km from Agra, Fatehpur Sikri is city predominantly built of red sandstone. Emperor Akbar has constructed this city during 1571 and 1585 A.D, to show his gratitude to Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chisti whose blessings has helped Akbar to gain immense pleasure of being a father.

Akbar has ruled his empire from this city for approximately 12 years. But, later on due to scarcity of water and administrative reasons, Emperor Akbar has left this city and shifted his capitol to Lahore. Fatehpur sikri, is now a deserted city that still contains many surviving relics of glorious Mughal era.Today it is a ghost city,its architecture is in a perfect state of preservation,and wandering through the palaces it is easy to imagine that this was once a royal residence and dynamic cultural centre.

If you are looking for something that symbolizes the grandeur of the Mughals, Fatehpur Sikri is a must-see during your Taj Mahal tour in Agra.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

History of Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri is a city and a municipal board in Agra district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.it is built near the much older Sikri, the historical city of Fatehabad, as it was first named, was constructed by Mughal emperor Akbar beginning in 1570, in honour of Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chisti, who lived in a cavern on the ridge at Sikri, and foretold the birth of his son, who was named Prince Salim after him, and later succeeded Akbar to the throne of the Mughal Empire, as Jahangir.

Fatehpur Sikri Greatest of all the Mughal Emperors who ruled India,Akbar ascended to the throne in 1556 at the tender age of 14 years. Apparent reason of ascending throne was the sudden demise of his father, Humayun. Akbar turned his attention towards building a magnificent Imperial capital at Agra as soon as he consolidated his power. Instant result of his interest was impressive Agra Fort, which was a great asset militarily as well as it served as the royal residence.


Tomb of Salim Christi

However,there are two set of history /belief about Fatehpur Sikri

History 1
In due course of time Akbar decided to shift his capital to nearby. There is a difference of opinion among historians about this decision of Akbar. According to the legends Akbar used to visit the hamlet of Sikri to take the blessings of the great Sufi saint Salim Chisti in order to have an heir to his throne. Akbar's visitations were fruitful, for he was blessed with three sons. He built the new city according to the instructions of Salim Chisti whose mausoleum is a part of Fatehpur Sikri.

History 2

Another set of historians say that he built the new city at Fatehpur Sikri as it was falling on the highway towards South India from North India. From this place he was able to control all parts of the country and move in any direction without much trouble. The new city was set on a hilltop that made it reasonably safe from future attacks. The new city, built on a ridge, grew into a magnificent township larger than contemporary London. Akbar did not stayed in this magnificent city for long and reasons for deserting Fatehpur Sikri are as much mysterious as was its construction.

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