One of the finest examples of Mughal architectural splendor, the city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar during 1571 to 1585 AD. Akbar had originally planned this city as his capital, but an acute shortage of water forced him to abandon the city after 12 years. Today, Fatehpur Sikri is a ghost town, but still retains its old charm and beauty.
There are some fine monuments within this area like the Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal, Buland Darwaza and the tomb of Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti. Fatehpur Sikri also boasts of the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques In India. Another very interesting feature at Fatehpur Sikri is the mammoth chessboard, where human figures were used as chess pieces and moved at the emperor's will.
The Fatehpur Sikri has been predominantly built in red sandstone and comes across as a very beautiful place that captures all the glory and splendor associated with the Mughal era. In fact, a visit to Agra can never be complete without visiting the Fatehpur Sikri, which has always been a out of the world experience for tourists. If you want to linger on after the crowds disperse, try watching the sunset over the ruins, which would add up to a very beautiful experience.
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