Our driver initially told us that we might need to forgo Fatehpur Sikri to make good time for Agra Fort and Taj Mahal. We nodded our head and said ok but must've looked so disappointed that he didn't have the heart not to make a stop. It was not a long stop but we had enough time to look around. He rang up the office and made arrangement for a guide for us. We had to take a shuttle bus from the parking lot to get to the actual Fatehpur Sikri site itself.

Fatehpur Sikri was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1571 in honour of the famous Sufi saint, Salim Chishti. It was said that at that time, Akbar the Great has not have a heir at the age 26 years. After visiting Shaikh Salim Chishti who lived in a city called Sikri, he was blessed with 3 sons. As a good gesture, Akbar built this new city in Sikri and this became the Mughal capital for 14 years. The city was abandoned thereafter, some say due to lack of water.

Buland Darwaza - entrance to Fatehpur Sikri complex

This royal complex contains the private and public spaces of Akbar's court, including harem and treasury. Adjacent to it, there is a sacred complex containing the Jami Masjid, Salim Chishti's tomb and Buland Darwaza. An exclusive royal gateway, name Badshahi Darwaza separates the two spaces.

Diwan-i-Khas


Diwan-i-Khas or translated as Hall of Private Audience is a standalone square building with four dome on the roof. It is famous for its central pillar inside the hall. The pillar has a square base and octagonal shaft, decorated with carvings. Akbar receives representatives of different religions to discuss their faiths and gave private audience in this hall.

Panch Mahal



This is a five-storeyed open sandstone pavillion was meant to be the shelter for the royal ladies and mistresses.

After spending some time at the Akbar's court area, we crossed over to the sacred complex side.

Badshahi Darwaza

Badshahi Barwaza is a royal gateway, used by Akbar to enter the complex. Directly across this gateway, is the view of the sacred mosque.

This would be what Akbar see when he enter the complex...

Anyway, this was when the guide starting talking about "donation" when entering the Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti. It was all about "donation" though there was a set price for what you want to bring in to the tomb. Say if you pick a piece of cloth, despite being donation, it had a price range of what you need to "donate".


Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti is the one in white marble. I remembered covering my head with my scarf prior to entering. As mentioned earlier in this post, Akbar's childlessness was ended after visiting Salim Chishti, the saint's tomb has become the haunt of those in search of a miracle. This tomb was flocked with tourist/locals who wished to make a wish. To do so, just need to tie a small cotton thread on the screen around the tomb. :)

Here's a panorama photo courtesy of Little P on how this Sacred Complex looks like.

L-R: Buland Darwaza, Jami Masjid, Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti

Side note: Counting down for next hols!