Know more about Fatehpur Sikri, the City of Victory

New Delhi: Built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri or the City of Victory was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years. Fatehpur Sikri bears exceptional testimony to the Mughal civilization at the end of the 16th century. It offers a unique example of architectural ensembles of very high quality constructed between 1571 and 1585. Its form and layout strongly influenced the evolution of Indian town planning, notably at Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi).The ‘City of Victory' had only an ephemeral existence as the capital of the Mughal empire. Akbar (1556-1605) decided to construct it in 1571, on the same site where the birth of his son, the future Jahangir, was predicted by the wise Shaikh Salim Chisti (1480-1572). It is told that Akbar initially had a son and twins. But the twins did not survive and died. After that, Akbar was in search of another heir and came to visit the Sufi saint Salim Chishti who lived in a cavern near the Sikri area. The saint foretold that Akbar would soon have a son and it happened as predicted. To celebrate the birth of his son, Akbar named his son Salim after the saint. This Prince Salim was to grow up to become the renowned emperor Jehangir. When Prince Salim was two years old, Akbar went back to Sikri and started to build an architectural wonder of a historic town known as Fatehabad. This town was later to be known as Fatehpur Sikri.However, his dream to build this architectural wonder of a town and to have his people prosper in this city was shortlived. The work, supervised by the great Mughal himself, was completed in 1573. In 1585, however, Akbar abandoned Fatehpur Sikri to fight against the Afghan tribes and choose a new capital, Lahore. Fatehpur Sikri was to be the seat of the great Mughal court only once more for three months in 1619, when Jahangir sought refuge there from the plague that devastated Agra. The site was then finally abandoned, until its archaeological exploration in 1892.Today it is part of the Agra province and is one of the major tourist attractions. This phantom city is immaculately preserved within wherein one can witness various monuments which are architectural wonders from the Mughal times.The places to see within Fatehpur Sikri are numerous. From the Buland Darwaza, the main entrance to this ancient city, to the Tomb of Shaikh Salim Chisti, there are numerous noteworthy monuments. The nine jewels of Akbar's court whose intellect and insight were greatly revered, presided in this city during his rule. Birbal Bhawan is the place which is dedicated to his greatest court advisor, Birbal. Besides, the inner courts where Jodha Bai stayed, the inner harem of the Hindu wives can all be witnessed inside this ancient city walls.Thus, Fatehpur Sikri is one of the historic monuments which is timeless and has rightly earned the status of a world heritage site.