Anyone nowadays will find it difficult to imagine that the now-desolate Fatehpur Sikri was once the seat of the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent. Akbar, the greatest emperor, had envisioned it as a city. Every stone and brick in the city bears the love and aspiration of the third Mughal emperor, who carefully and meticulously planned its construction. However, Fatehpur Sikri’s heyday was short-lived because Akbar himself left the city at one point, lowering its stature and hastening its demise. Since that time, Fatehpur Sikri has continued to exist much like the stepbrother who receives less attention from his parents and who is largely ignored.
Rise
The city of Fatehpur Sikri, which is primarily made of red sandstone, is 37 kilometers away from Agra. In addition to Shaikh Salim Chishti’s prophecy regarding the birth of Akbar’s eldest son Salim, who would eventually become Emperor Jahangir, Akbar had a spiritual inclination for the Chishti Sufi order. Out of appreciation, Akbar commanded the building of his capital at Sikri, the home of his pir, Shaikh Salim.
The city’s building started in 1569, the year Jahangir was born. When Shaikh Salim’s first religious compound was constructed, it comprised the biggest mosque at the time, Jami Masjid, as well as a khanqah (hospice). Later, to honor Akbar’s successful battle in Gujarat in 1573, the enormous Buland Darwaza southern gate was erected to the temple complex. Sikri became Fatehpur Sikri, or the City of Victory, as a result of the Darwaza. After Shaikh Salim passed away in 1572, a tomb made entirely of white marble and decorated with beautiful jali work was constructed in the compound. Construction on the monument took place between 1580 and 1581.
It is thought that the village named Sikri that once stood there inspired the city’s original name, Sikri. Before Akbar constructed his city, there were settlements, temples, and economic hubs there, according to research done by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) between 1999 and 2000. Following their expansion, the Sungas inhabited the area, which was under Sikarwar Rajput dominion from the 7th to the 16th century until the Battle of Khanwa.
Architecture
From 1571 to 1585, Fatehpur Sikri served as the Mughal Empire’s capital, and its grandeur and distinction serve as a good illustration of Akbar’s sophisticated architectural style. A charismatic fusion of Islamic and Hindu components can be seen in the style and design of the buildings at Fatehpur Sikri thanks to his liberal religious views and enthusiasm for literature, architecture, and the fine arts.
A really inspiring setting for a painter’s canvas or a visitor’s eyes, Fatehpur Sikri’s turrets and domes cast shadows and silhouettes against the copper-red sky at sunset and sunrise. The city is surrounded by an 11 km long fortress wall, and among its ruins are the Imperial Palace Complex, Sheikh Salim Chisti’s beautifully carved marble mausoleum, and a large mosque that set standards for architectural magnificence. Any visitor can be transported to the era of gilded tapestries, curtains, luxurious carpets, and the royalty of the Mughal courts with just a vivid imagination.
Similar to how Humayun’s Tomb was built close to Nizamuddin Auliya’s tomb, Akbar’s palace at Sikri was built close to Shaikh Salim’s khanqah. He might have sought to build ties with the Chishtis so he could justify his authority.
News Mania Desk
