The moment i drove into Fatehpur Sikri from Bharatpur my car was beseiged by touts. They were so agressive that i thought they would smash the glass if i dint stop and listen to them. They were not only misleading me but were outright bullying. It is a shame that authorities do nothing about this and your visit to this great monument can become a hassel. This was in 2007. I visited Fatehpur Sikri again in May 2008 on an official assignment and nothing had changed.
My assignment was not only to shoot the main monuments at Fatehpur Sikri but also the lesser ones like the `samosa mahal' that no local guide had a clue about. Then i was referred to one Mr Bobby -who i must say is the only authentic guide in Fatehpur Sikri. He pointed out all the small monuments that i need to photograph. If you are going to Sikri and want a good guide i recommend Mr Bobby. Mail or call me and i will give you his numbers.
Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri after Sufi saint Shaike Salim who lived here prophesied Akbar would have a son. Akbar lived in this fort for 15 long years before moving to Lahore. You must visit the Diwan-i-am where Akbar sat with his 9 gems. A unique central pillar in the hall is an architectural gem of the period.
Naubat Khana or welcome gate at Fatehpur Sikri
Koranic verses on Buland Darwaza
Shaft of Hiran Minar had real elephant tusks once
Hiran Minar, Sikri
Tansen's Baradari- The living quarters of court mucisian Tansen
Hathi Pol- or the Gateway for elephants
Horse shoe embedded on the door of Buland Darwaza, Sikri
Salim Chishti's tomb, Sikri
Anoop Talap - where Tansen sat and played, Fatehpur Sikri
The pillar at Diwan-i-am, Fatehpur Sikri
The elaborate pillar at Diwan-i-am , Sikri
Hiran Minar at Sikri, India
Jami Masjid seen through Badshahi Darwaza, Sikri
The Shrine of Sheik Salim Chishti, Sikri
The corridors of the Buland Darwaza, Sikri
Bukand Darwaza, Sikri
A maulvi reads from the Koran at Jami Masjid, Sikri
Jami Masjid at Sikri
The Ramparts of Fatehpur Sikri
Girls in the dust storm near Buland Darwaza
Badshahi Darwaza at Sikri
Girls in the dust storm near Buland Darwaza
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