Fatehpur Sikri, the erstwhile Mughal Capital, is in the Agra district, Uttar Pradesh. Fateh Pur Sikri is 37 kilometers away from Agra, which is famous for one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Golden Triangle India tour package covers Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, including this place.

Interior of the Diwan-i-Khas (hall of private audience) at Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri, the Mughal Capital, was founded by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1569 on the Sikri ridge.

Fateh Pur Sikri is a well-planned gated city (the massive gate and fort still stand intact) with a series of palaces, royal courts, many utility buildings, etc. There is a mosque inside the city.  There is also a dam at Fatehpur Sikri, the remains of which can be seen even now.

Fatehpur Sikri was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The construction of Fatehpur Sikri was of great interest to Emperor Akbar. The construction of this planned gated city took 15 years. The three sides of the city had walls, while the fourth side was a lake at that time. The style of the buildings in the city is a combination of regional architecture, which is only seen in Akbar’s Fathepur city.

It is one of the best-maintained examples of Mughal architecture in India, built with red sandstones that are locally available. It was the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585.

Fatehpur Sikri, built by Akbar

In 1585, Akbar Shifted the capital to Lahore due to a water shortage and political instability in the nearby areas. The capital was shifted to Agra again in 1598.

How Do I Go to Fatehpur Sikri, The Erstwhile The Mughal Capital City?

Fatehpur Sikri railway station is the nearest railway station, within a one-kilometer distance from the city center.

It is well connected by roads. The Agra-Jaipur national highway passes through the front gate of Fateh Pur Sikri.

The nearest airport is at Agra, 40 kilometers away.