A UNESCO World Heritage site, Fatehpur Sikri was commissioned by the Mughal emperor Akbar the Great and completed in 1585. This fort city is one of the best-enduring examples of the Mughal architectural legacy, even though it was only occupied for about 15 years.
Situated on the top of a rocky outcrop, it has been realized entirely in red sandstone quarried from the same rock.
The city is dotted with numerous architectural points of interest, each one evidence of Akbar’s attitude of tolerance for different cultures and religious beliefs. Primarily in the Persian style, there are also rich influences of Gujarati and Rajasthani vernacular schools, attributed to the use of masons and craftsmen of those regions. One of the most elegant of the architectural jewels is the Jodha Bai palace—the house of Akbar’s Hindu wife and mother of the crown prince—which, although simple in layout, has ornamentation inspired by Hindu architectural motifs combining two diverse cultures in one edifice.
The highlight of the fort city, however, is the tomb of Salim Chisti—a Sufi saint who was consulted by Akbar about the birth of his son. A destination of pilgrimage for his devotees, this tomb lies in the center of the Jami Masjid, or Friday Mosque. Being the only structure there to be constructed in pristine white marble, it is framed by the magnificent 147-foot-high (45 m) Buland Darwaza—a colossal triumphal arch—in stunning contrast to the backdrop of red sandstone.
Fatehpur translates as the city of victory. This explains why, although only for a short period, the fort city was meant to share the duties of the imperial court. The magnitude and calm of the place is best experienced in the first hours of the day, when the golden glow of the sandstone is truly revealed. (Bidisha Sinha)
