Our trip to India
Fall 2005

[Start] [Delhi] [Agra] [Taj Mahal] [Fatehpur Sikri] [Jaipur] [Wrap Up]

Fatehpur Sikri

Leaving Agra and heading to Jaipur, about an hour outside of Agra is the historic city of Fatehpur Sikri. The history is that Akbar, who had tried for years to have a son so he could have an heir, finally visited a sheikh who lived here in a cave granted him a blessing and he had a son the following year. He built Fatehpur Sikri in the sheikh's honor.

This is a huge city. What follows is only the central part of the city where Akbar and his government lived.

Akbar had a meditation room where he would sit on the top of this huge intricately carved column (all one piece), with his 9 counselors surrounding him. People wanting advice would come and sit on the floor.

One could easily imagine being here nearly 700 years ago. If I recall correctly, the tower below was for the queens. (the more important you were the further up you were).

They had a lifesize Parchesi board in this courtyard where the queen would have her maidens be the pieces. This is just one side. I wish the stairs would have been opened up so I could have taken a picture from high up so I could get the entire board.

What town is complete without a pool?

To give an idea of the size of this town center, here is a shot from the other side of the pool

Looking at the walls surrounding the pool, you start to get an idea of the detail on every building throughout this city. Here is a shot of the outside of one.

The inside

Interesting tidbit: After Akbar left, the moghuls invaded and because they were strict mulsims, they defaced all of the carvings that had living things on them.

And lets not dismiss things like the roof overhangs. I mean, why stop?

How about a nice 2nd story room with a view of the courtyard?

If you have a city, you need a mosque and for a city like Fatehpur Sikri, you want it to be impressive when you enter. This is Victory Gate.

This is what it looks like from the back. Not too shabby.

The most impressive part of all of Fatehpur Sikri is that is all stone. The walls, cielings, floors, every single thing is made of this red stone. In my opinion, as much as I liked the Red Fort, Fatehpur Sikri was much more impressive.

And I could not believe how good of shape it is in. WOW.

Next up, Jaipur.

[Start] [Delhi] [Agra] [Taj Mahal] [Fatehpur Sikri] [Jaipur] [Wrap Up]