In 1570 in India, the Mughal Emperor Akbar decided to move his capital from Agra to Fatehpur Sikri, about 25 miles away. A huge mosque, the Jama Masjid, went up. Palaces covered in elaborate carvings and inlaid stone were built to house the royal entourage. But just 15 years later, the new capital was abandoned. Why? As it turned out, Fatehpur Sikri had no reliable water supply.
After the Mughals left the city, Fatehpur Sikri returned to unimportance. Unlike Agra, it never became a modern city. Also unlike Agra, it does not boast the biggest tourist attraction in India (the Taj Mahal). As a result, it is much less crowded, though the beauty of the mosque and palace easily rival that of Agra Fort and other more popular sites. The red sandstone mosque and palaces are beautifully well-preserved, and I found Fatehpur Sikri to be one of the best parts of a two-week trip to India in April.
Fatehpur Sikri is located 25 miles from Agra, in Uttar Pradesh, India. Buses run from outside the Igdah Bus Station in Agra. A bus ticket costs less than 50 rupees (approximately $1). It is also possible to hire taxis from Agra to Fatehpur Sikri. Entrance to the Jama Masjid is free, but the palace complex requires a 250-rupee ticket.
This is the third in a series of weekly slideshows spotlighting places I’ve been on my travels, in China and beyond. You can also view this album, along with more photos, at To China and Beyond’s Picasa page.
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