Fatehpur Sikri (Buland Darwaza)
Akbar's abandoned red sandstone capital
Overview
Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal emperor Akbar from about 1571 until it was abandoned in the 1580s, partly because of water shortages. Its palaces, courts and the Jama Masjid are built of red sandstone.
The Buland Darwaza, the monumental gateway to the mosque, is about 54 metres high and among the tallest gateways in the world.
What to look for
- Buland Darwaza and the Jama Masjid courtyard
- The white marble tomb of Salim Chishti
- Panch Mahal, the five-storey pavilion
- Diwan-i-Khas with its central pillar
Visiting tips
- Arrange your visit through your private guide rather than unofficial guides at the gate.
- Allow two to three hours.
- It fits well on the drive between Jaipur and Agra.
Why visit with a private guide
A private guide shows you where to stand, when to arrive and what most visitors miss at Fatehpur Sikri (Buland Darwaza), and fits the visit around the rest of your day.
More photographs
Nearby
Agra Fort Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj) Taj Mahal Mehtab Bagh (Taj view) Akbar's Tomb Prem Mandir
Journeys that include Fatehpur Sikri (Buland Darwaza)
2 Days2-Day Agra, Fatehpur Sikri & Imperial Mughal Retreat
A well-paced Mughal weekend in Agra: the Taj at sunrise and sunset, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and the imperial tombs.
View journey →
4 Days4-Day Express Golden Triangle: Delhi, Jaipur & Agra
The complete Golden Triangle in four days, from Old Delhi's lanes to Jaipur's forts, Fatehpur Sikri and a sunrise at the Taj.
View journey →Tell me your dates and interests
I will personally prepare an itinerary and quotation within 24 hours. No groups, no fixed scripts.