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Located
40 km from Agra, the city of Fatehpur Sikri is a grand city
built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar between 1571 and 1584.
The architectural splendor of this deserted city cannot be
described in words and one can only knowledge the aura of its
magnificent edifices by seeing them. If you are looking for
something that symbolizes the magnificence of the Mughals,
Fatehpur Sikri is a must see during your Taj Mahal tour
in Agra. The buildings within Fatehpur Sikri are a unique
combine of different architectural traditions. While the general
layout and concept of the buildings conform to the Islamic style
of architecture, the actual buildings (mainly palaces), their
ornate columns, arches, carving style, etc., show a strong Hindu
style in common and that of Gujarat and Rajasthan in particular.
Fatehpur Sikri Agra was designed as a great town by Akbar with
great care and planning in the honor of Sheikh Salim Chisti but
had to be deserted only after fifteen years due to scarcity of
water in the town. Sheikh Salim Chishti was a Sufi saint who
sacred the Akbar with his first son and heir, who was named
Salim after him and later came to be known as Jehangir.
The town was initially named Sikri after the village, where it
was founded but its twin city Fatehpur (Victory Town) was
erected to celebrate Akbar's defeat of Gujarat in June 1573.
However, ruins of the temple dating back to 12th century
recommend the reign of Rajputs in the area long before Mughals
took over the area. The two mosques in the village of Sikri have
dedications, which announce their conception in 1314 under Mohd.
Khilji. There have been records that Babur renamed the
village 'Sikri' as 'Shukri', meaning 'thanks to the god'. It was
also the famous home place and khanqah of Shiekh Salim Chishti,
the famous Sufi saint whom Akbar respected for blessing him with
child.
Tourists can travel to Fatehpur Sikri from Agra, the city of the
Taj Mahal, by the daily train that runs from Agra Fort Railway
Station. Buses and taxies are also offered from Agra for
Fatehpur Sikri.
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