Fatehpur Sikri is a city located near Agra built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. It served as his capital from 1571 to 1585. In 1585, he left the place due to scarcity of water. It is a palace city with 11 km wall on three sides. The fourth side had a lake at that time.

It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Fatehpur Sikri has nine gates namely Delhi Gate, Ajmere Gate, Chor Gate, Tehra Gate, Gwalior Gate, Chandanpal Gate, Birbal’s Gate, Lal Gate and Agra Gate. There are many buildings within the premises which are listed below:

Buland Darwaza: The 54 meter high entrance to Fatehpur Sikhri built to commemorate the victory of Akbar over Gujarat.

Jama Masjid: This was the first building built in this complex during 1571-72 A.D. and resembles typical Indian mosques.

Tomb of Salim Chishti: This is the tomb of the Sufi Saint Salim chisti encased within white marble structure.

Diwan-i-Aam: This is the hall of public audience designed to meet the people, this is a rectangular structure with a large open space.

Diwan-i-Khas: This is the hall of private audience, a square building with four chhatris on its top. It also has a central pillar with floral designs carved on it.

Ibadat Khana: This meeting house was built in 1575 and it was here that Akbar launched his new religion Din-e-Ilahi.

Hujra-i-Anup Talao: This was the house of wife of Akbar.

Mariam-uz-Zamani’s Palace: This was the palace of Akbar’s wife Mariam-uz-Zamani built in the Gujarati style.

Naubat Khana: This was also called Naqqar Khana meaning drum house. This is the place where the music was played to announce the arrival of Akbar.

Pachisi Court: This is the square court where people played the game of dice.

Panch Mahal: This palace has five storeys and a large domed chhatri on the top. It has totally 176 columns to support the structure.

Birbal’s House: This was house of Birbal, the favorite minister of Akbar.

Apart from these buildings there are also Daftar Khana, Karkhanas, Khazana, Turkic styled Baths, Darogha’s Quarters, Caravan Sarai, horse stables, etc.

This is opened to public from sunrise to sunset.