Fatehpur Sikri: A saint's blessing, a city of victory

View: Jodha Bai's Palace

Akbar was soon blessed with a son and was prompted to establish his capital here, building a beautiful mosque and three palaces, one each for his three favourite wives: a Muslim, a Hindu and a Christian.

He named it ‘Fatehpur Sikri’ - meaning ‘the city of victory’ - and his son Salim, after the saint who had blessed him.

View: Buland Darwaza

Built on a stony ridge, Fatehpur Sikri lies richly enveloped in local folklore. One such story goes that long before Akbar made it his capital, Mughal emperor Babur had named the city ‘shukri’ or thanks, as a gesture of acknowledgement to the local residents who had helped him win the Battle of Khanwa against Rana Sangram Singh.

Babur’s grandson, Emperor Akbar, built the Buland Darwaza many years later after victories in Western India and gave the city its current name.

View: Aankh Michauli

Fatehpur Sikri’s many monuments, religious and secular alike, resound with stories and anecdotes from medieval times. A structure called ‘Aankh Michauli’ (or blind man’s buff), for instance, is believed to be where the emperor would play the eponymous game with his queens.

A vast sandstone courtyard nearby is named after another game, Pachisi, and is a life-sized version of the Indian board game. Legend has it that the emperor played this game with women standing in the place of pieces.

The Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India, showcases the assimilation of Iranian architectural elements. It was built in 1648 AD by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's daughter, Jahanara Begum. Next to it stands the imposing Buland Darwaza.

View: Panch Mahal

Other monuments here include the Diwan-E-Khas, Jodha Bai’s Palace, Mariam’s Palace, Birbal’s Palace and House of the Turkish Sultana.

Panch Mahal, a four-storeyed columnar structure, is said to have been where the emperor and his wives would watch Tansen, one of the most well-known court musicians of all time, perform.

The tomb of Salim Chishti, which lies at the heart of Fatehpur Sikri’s story, is an oasis of white in the midst of red sandstone, and attracts thousands of tourists. It still commands immense respect and faith from devotees. They visit from far and wide with their ‘mannats’ or wishes, and tie a thread for each wish, hoping for the Sufi saint to bless them and make it come true.

View: Details next to the tomb of Salim Chisti

Sheikh Salim Chishti’s death anniversary is remembered each year on his ‘Urs’. It includes a ceremony held in Fatehpur Sikri that is attended by devotees from across the world.

The erstwhile residence of Birbal, an advisor to Mughal emperor Akbar, Birbal Palace was built in 1571. Constructed in the typical Mughal style of architecture, this two-storey structure is believed to have housed Akbar's senior queens - Salima Sultan Begum and Ruqayya Begum.

Diwan-E-Khas, or the hall of private audience, served as the royal chamber of Mughal emperor Akbar. It was the place where he debated with scholars on matters of religion and philosophy.

The Diwan-E-Khas reflects a Persian style of architecture, and is famed for its beautifully carved central column.

A towering gateway, Badshahi Darwaza, or the Royal Door, was specially reserved for the emperor, who passed through it to join prayers.

Featuring melons and kiosks at the top, the darwaza is ornamented with intricate geometrical patterns carved on buff sandstone.

The Tomb of Islam Khan is a sprawling red sandstone structure that houses the tomb of Islam Khan 1, the general of the Mughal army and the grandson of Sufi saint Salim Chisti.

Islam Khan's body was kept here by Mughal emperor Jahangir in 1613 AD. The beautifully carved entrance gate of the monument leads to a vast courtyard that is scattered with 24 graves of Khan's followers.

Said to have been built in the memory of Hiran, the favourite elephant of Emperor Akbar, the Hiran Minar stands 22 metres - around eight storeys - high.

It is adorned with alternate series of six-point stars and rows of hexagons, and the centres of stars have stone tusks protruding from them. From the top, one can get a bird's eye view of Fatehpur Sikri.