The city of Fatehpur Sikri was destroyed and settled many times. This city was once built by the concept of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Later it was also given the status of World Heritage. But many times it was a victim of upheaval. Unique story of Mughal period.
Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri, which is now a major city in Uttar Pradesh, was once the capital of the Mughal Empire. The concept of this city was created by Akbar, the great Mughal ruler of his time. The Daro wall of the city is the witness of the dream of its Mughal emperor. This city was built with a plan.
The glory days of Fatehpur Sikri could not last long. Fatehpur Sikri was given the status of capital for some time during the Mughal period. But in later times it was forgotten. Historians say-Akbar himself had left this city on its own. After which the condition here worsened.
today’s big news
rise of the city
Fatehpur Sikri, a city built mainly of red sandstone, is situated at a distance of 37 km from Agra. Emperor Akbar was spiritually inclined towards the Chishti Sufi order. Because the prediction of Sheikh Salim Chishti about the birth of Akbar’s son Salim had increased his enthusiasm. Later he became Emperor Jahangir. Expressing his gratitude, Akbar ordered to build his capital at Sikri, where his Pirs lived.
Some great things about Sikri
The construction of the city started in 1569, the year of Jahangir’s birth. First a religious complex was built for Akbar’s Pir, which included a khanqah (hermitage) and a mosque, the Jami Masjid. It was the biggest mosque of that time.
On Akbar’s successful campaign in Gujarat in 1573, the Buland Darwaza was added to the religious complex at the huge southern gate. After which Sikri became the city of Fatehpur Sikri or Fateh. After the death of Pir Sheikh Salim in 1572, a white marble mausoleum was built in the premises.
ASI did the excavation
It is believed that the initial name of the city was derived from a village called Sikri. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) excavated here from 1999 to 2000 and officials came to the conclusion that there were residences, temples and business centers there before Akbar made his capital.
unique architecture
Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585 and its grandeur and uniqueness presents a good example of Akbar’s architectural concept. Emperor Akbar was very interested in various religious ideas, literature and other arts, his influence has been seen on the buildings of Fatehpur Sikri.
Akbar left it
By 1610, Emperor Akbar completely abandoned it. Akbar came here only once in 1601 after leaving Sikri. William Finch, who visited here about five years after the death of Akbar. He then expressed regret that everything was ruined here. It is lying like a barren desert.
In 1619, when the epidemic of bubonic plague caused devastation from 1616 to 1624, Jahangir’s residence remained here for three months. Later, with the decline of the Mughal Empire, the condition of the buildings here deteriorated and the city became completely desolate.
got world heritage status
However, after the capture of Agra in 1803, the British colonial forces established an administrative center at Sikri and remained so until 1850. There was a municipality here from 1865 to 1904 and later it was made a notified area. Fatehpur Sikri got UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1986.
: Language Inputs