India 2016 (part XLV): Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh:

inside the Diwan-i-Khas

Originally, I travelled to Bharatpur to visit the magnificent Keoladeo National Park, but in addition I spent an afternoon wandering through the ancient monuments of nearby Fathpur Sikri.

For a short time in the 16th century, Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of Akbar’s Mughal Empire. The UNESCO World Heritage Site consists of a number of palace buildings, impressive fortified gates, and mosques. The most fascinating features are the intricate rock carvings decorating some of the rooms – check out the gallery below.

Archaeological Museum

the courtyard in front of the Diwan-i-Am

the Diwan-i-Khas

hallway at the Pachisi Courtyard

a well

the Diwan-i-Khas

inside the Diwan-i-Khas

detail of the central column

the Diwan-i-Khas

on the Pachisi Courtyard

360°-panorama of the Pachisi Courtyard

the Pachisi Courtyard

the Diwan-i-Khas at the end of the Pachisi Courtyard

carvings at the Rumi Sultana

the Rumi Sultana

inside the Rumi Sultana

the Ornamental Pool

the Daulat Khana

bats in dark palace rooms

the Panch Mahal

the Palace of the Christian Wife

murals at the Palace of the Christian Wife

Palace of Jodh Bai and Palace of the Christian Wife

entrance to the Palace of Jodh Bai

inside the Palace of Jodh Bai

on the way to the Lower Haramsara

the Birbal Bhavan

inside the Birbal Bhavan

intricate carving

the Birbal Bhavan

the Lower Haramsara

Birbal Bhavan and the Lower Haramsara

the dark corners of the Lower Haramsara

Black Kite chilling on a roof top

the Panch Mahal

beautiful flowers in the garden

view towards the massive gate of the Jama Masjid

old ruins are scattered throughout Fatehpur Sikri

the inside of Hathi Pol

the massive Hathi Pol

the Caravanserai

Hiran Minar

Octagonal Step Well

old ruins

the Shahi Darwaza (King’s Gate) of the Jama Masjid

inside the Jama Masjid

view towards the massive Buland Darwaza (Victory Gate)

inside the Jama Masjid

Tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti

Tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti inside the Jama Masjid

inside the Jama Masjid

at the Buland Darwaza (Victory Gate)

the Buland Darwaza (Victory Gate)

After my visit to wonderful Fatehpur Sikri, I returned to Bharatpur and took the train home to Jaipur where I would enjoy the festive Diwali atmosphere in the coming days.