Fatehpur Sikri: Architecture and History under Akbar
Fatehpur Sikri, near Agra in Uttar Pradesh, is one of the finest surviving examples of Mughal architecture under Emperor Akbar (r. 1556–1605). Built largely between 1571 and the late 1570s, it served as Akbar's imperial capital for a relatively short period. Its buildings demonstrate Akbar's remarkable experiment in combining Persian, Central Asian, Indian, Rajput and Gujarati architectural traditions.
Today the complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
1. Why did Akbar build Fatehpur Sikri?
The story begins with Shaikh Salim Chishti, a Sufi saint who lived at Sikri. Akbar visited him seeking a male heir. In 1569, Akbar's son Prince Salim, the future Emperor Jahangir, was born.
Akbar subsequently decided to develop Sikri into an imperial city and moved his court there around 1571.
The new city was called Fatehpur, meaning City of Victory, although the larger historical complex is commonly known as Fatehpur Sikri.
Akbar's decision was not simply religious. The location also had strategic and political importance, and the enormous construction project allowed him to create a capital expressing his imperial authority.
2. Overall architectural character
Fatehpur Sikri is particularly important because Akbar did not simply copy Persian or Islamic architecture.
Instead, the city represents a remarkable synthesis of traditions.
Major influences included:
Persian and Timurid traditions
Central Asian architectural ideas
Islamic arches, domes and geometric decoration
Rajput palace architecture
Gujarati craftsmanship
Indian Hindu and Jain architectural traditions
Local building techniques using red sandstone
The result is an architecture that is distinctly Akbar's own.
One of its most striking characteristics is the extensive use of red sandstone, which gives the entire complex a unified appearance.
3. The city plan
Fatehpur Sikri was built on a long ridge overlooking the surrounding countryside.
The imperial complex can broadly be understood as having:
Royal palace complex
Administrative buildings
Religious buildings
Residential areas
Gardens and courtyards
Fortifications and gateways
Rather than being a collection of isolated monuments, these buildings were planned as parts of a functioning imperial city.
Large courtyards connect different structures, while passages, terraces and balconies create changing views throughout the complex.
4. Diwan-i-Am – Hall of Public Audience
The Diwan-i-Am was the area where the emperor dealt with the public and heard petitions.
Akbar could appear before officials, petitioners and representatives of his empire here.
The architecture is relatively open and functional compared with some of the more elaborate palace buildings.
This reflects an important feature of Mughal kingship: the emperor was not merely a secluded monarch but was expected to display his authority publicly.
5. Diwan-i-Khas – Hall of Private Audience
The Diwan-i-Khas is among the most extraordinary buildings at Fatehpur Sikri.
Its most famous feature is the enormous central carved sandstone pillar.
The pillar rises from the centre and expands into an intricately carved capital supporting a circular platform. Four projecting walkways connect the central platform with the corners of the building.
The arrangement is architecturally unusual.
Traditional interpretation
It has often been suggested that Akbar sat on the central platform while important officials stood or sat around him.
However, historians debate the precise function of this unusual arrangement. The building's exact ceremonial use remains uncertain.
Its design nevertheless demonstrates the extraordinary creativity of Akbar's architects and craftsmen.
6. Panch Mahal
The Panch Mahal is perhaps the most visually distinctive structure in Fatehpur Sikri.
It consists of five progressively smaller storeys, supported by numerous slender columns.
The upper levels become progressively smaller, creating a pyramidal effect.
The building is relatively open rather than enclosed, allowing air to circulate freely.
Its exact original function is uncertain, but it was probably associated with the royal household and leisure.
The structure shows strong similarities with Indian pavilion architecture, rather than conventional Persian palace design.
7. Jodha Bai's Palace / Mariam-uz-Zamani's Palace
The enormous palace commonly called Jodha Bai's Palace is actually associated with the royal women and is often identified by historians as the palace of Mariam-uz-Zamani, Akbar's Rajput wife and mother of Jahangir.
It is one of the largest residential structures in the complex.
The building has:
A large central courtyard
Residential rooms
Pillared halls
Chhatris
Carved brackets
Projecting balconies
Hindu/Rajput decorative motifs
Its architecture demonstrates particularly well how Rajput and Mughal traditions were combined.
The name "Jodha Bai Palace" is popular but historically problematic; "Mariam-uz-Zamani's Palace" is generally a more appropriate designation.
8. Turkish Sultana's House
The small but beautifully decorated building traditionally known as the Turkish Sultana's House contains some of the finest stone carving in Fatehpur Sikri.
Its walls and pillars contain delicate ornamental work.
The building demonstrates that Mughal architecture could achieve a remarkable combination of:
strength + geometric order + delicate craftsmanship.
9. Anup Talao
The Anup Talao is a square ornamental tank located within the palace complex.
A small platform occupies its centre and is connected by four bridges.
It is traditionally associated with musical performances and royal entertainment.
The water tank also contributed to the visual and climatic character of the palace complex.
10. Ibadat Khana
Akbar's reign became famous for his interest in religious and philosophical discussions.
At Fatehpur Sikri, he established the Ibadat Khana, where religious scholars and intellectuals debated questions concerning faith, philosophy and ethics.
Representatives associated with different traditions participated in these discussions, including:
Muslim scholars
Sufis
Hindus
Jains
Zoroastrians
Christians
This intellectual environment eventually contributed to Akbar's broader policy of sulh-i kul, or "universal peace/tolerance."
Fatehpur Sikri therefore represents not only Akbar's architectural experiment but also his political and intellectual experiment.
11. Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid is one of the largest and most important religious structures at Fatehpur Sikri.
It occupies a dominant position within the city.
Its architecture combines:
Large courtyard
Prayer hall
Domes
Arches
Mihrab
Red sandstone construction
Decorative geometric and calligraphic elements
The mosque was an important symbol of Akbar's imperial authority and religious identity.
12. Tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti
One of the most beautiful structures in the entire complex is the tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti.
Unlike most of Fatehpur Sikri, which is dominated by red sandstone, the tomb is largely faced with white marble.
Its most famous feature is its exquisite jali, or perforated stone screens.
The screens create a delicate lace-like appearance while allowing light and air into the building.
The tomb became an important centre of pilgrimage and remains one of the most photographed monuments at Fatehpur Sikri.
13. Buland Darwaza
The Buland Darwaza, or "Gate of Magnificence," is the monumental gateway leading into the Jama Masjid complex.
It was constructed later than much of the palace complex, traditionally associated with Akbar's victory in Gujarat in 1573.
It rises dramatically above the surrounding landscape.
Its architecture combines:
Monumental scale
Red sandstone
White marble decoration
Large central arch
Smaller decorative arches
Calligraphic inscriptions
Geometric ornament
The enormous staircase approaching the gateway makes it appear even more imposing.
The Buland Darwaza was therefore not merely an entrance—it was a visual statement of imperial power and victory.
14. Architectural features
Red sandstone
Red sandstone is the dominant building material.
It was abundant in the region and could be cut, carved and polished with great precision.
Chhatris
Small domed pavilions called chhatris appear throughout the complex.
They are strongly associated with Indian/Rajput architectural traditions.
Jalis
Perforated stone screens provide:
ventilation
filtered sunlight
privacy
decoration
Brackets
Highly carved brackets support balconies, roofs and projecting elements.
These show the influence of traditional Indian architecture.
Jharokhas
Projecting balconies and windows, particularly associated with Rajput architecture, became an important element of Mughal buildings.
Arches and domes
Islamic architectural vocabulary is visible in arches, domes and geometric planning, but these elements are frequently combined with Indian structural techniques.
15. Akbar's architectural experiment
The greatest importance of Fatehpur Sikri is that Akbar did not follow a single architectural tradition.
His architects and craftsmen brought together different regional styles.
For example:
Persian/Timurid influence
→ imperial planning, monumental gateways and Islamic architectural forms
Rajput influence
→ chhatris, jharokhas, brackets and columned halls
Gujarati influence
→ extremely detailed stone carving and decorative screens
Islamic influence
→ mosques, arches, calligraphy and geometric decoration
The result was a new imperial architectural language that would influence later Mughal architecture.
16. Why was Fatehpur Sikri abandoned?
This is one of the most interesting questions.
Akbar's court moved away from Fatehpur Sikri after only a relatively short period.
For a long time, the city was said to have been abandoned because of water scarcity.
However, the reality was probably more complicated.
Possible factors include:
Difficult water supply
The enormous logistical requirements of maintaining the imperial court
Akbar's military campaigns
The emperor's need to be closer to the north-western frontier
The movement of the imperial court
It is therefore misleading to say simply that "Akbar abandoned Fatehpur Sikri because there was no water."
The city was not completely deserted, and some activity continued after the imperial court moved elsewhere.
17. Importance in Mughal history
Fatehpur Sikri represents a crucial stage in the development of Mughal architecture.
Akbar's earlier buildings at Agra show experimentation, while Fatehpur Sikri demonstrates this experimentation on an entire imperial-city scale.
Later Mughal architecture under Jahangir and Shah Jahan became more refined and increasingly incorporated extensive marble.
But many ideas developed under Akbar remained fundamental.
18. Fatehpur Sikri in one view
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Builder | Emperor Akbar |
| Main construction | c. 1571–1580s |
| Location | Near Agra, Uttar Pradesh |
| Main material | Red sandstone |
| Architectural style | Indo-Islamic / Mughal synthesis |
| Major influences | Persian, Central Asian, Rajput, Gujarati, Indian |
| Famous buildings | Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Panch Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas |
| Religious monument | Tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti |
| Famous architectural feature | Central pillar of Diwan-i-Khas |
| Famous palace | Mariam-uz-Zamani's Palace |
| UNESCO status | World Heritage Site |
| Historical importance | Akbar's experimental imperial capital |
Conclusion
Fatehpur Sikri is much more than a collection of Mughal monuments. It is a physical expression of Akbar's personality and his vision of empire.
Its architecture combines Islamic geometry with Indian craftsmanship, Persian imperial traditions with Rajput forms, monumental power with delicate decoration. The city therefore stands as one of the clearest examples of Akbar's attempt to create an inclusive and distinctly Indian Mughal imperial culture.
If Agra represents the growth of Mughal architecture, Fatehpur Sikri represents Akbar's great architectural experiment—an experiment that helped lay the foundation for the magnificent Mughal architecture that followed.
Contact me for This site tour as well as other sites in Delhi , Agra, Jaipur.
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