Introducing Fatehpur Sikri
This magnificent fortified ghost city, 40km west of Agra, was the short-lived capital of the Mughal empire between 1571 and 1585, during the reign of Emperor Akbar. Akbar visited Sikri to consult the Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chisti, who predicted the birth of an heir to the Mughal throne. When the prophecy came true, Akbar built his new capital here. Although a brilliant Indo-Islamic masterpiece, the city was erected in an area that suffered from water shortages and was abandoned shortly after Akbar’s death. The well-preserved palace buildings and the still-used mosque are a superb reminder of the Mughals at their architectural peak, and you can wander around other ruins scattered behind the mosque and the mint.
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Most people visit this World Heritage site as a day trip from Agra, but you can stay in the nearby town, and the red sandstone palaces are at their most atmospheric at sunset.
Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Side trip from Delhi
by Chhotu 14 September 2011
If you have very less time maybe you can visit Agra > Fatehpur Sikri >Bharatpur > Deeg > Mathura / Vrindavan. Robert
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RE: Varanasi to Delhi
by TRRK 13 September 2011
There is a direct overnight train from Varanasi to Khajuraho so doesn't have to take a long time BUT it doesn't run every day so you would…
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RE: Agra: is it worth spending three/four days there? or less?
by Phish 13 September 2011
I am not sure what kind of a traveller you are so my response may not 100% answer what you are expecting to hear.... let me explain. …
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