Fatehpur Sikri - The Mystery of Akbar's Abandoned City
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| Fatehpur Sikri |
India is a mysterious country. Secrets are hidden in each and every corner of this country. There are many mysteries that have been solved but plenty of mysteries are yet to be solved. One such mystery is why Emperor Akbar abandoned his dearly loved city Fatehpur Sikri. Are there any political reasons behind it or something more mysterious is lurking inside? It is still unknown.
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| Fatehpur Sikri in India's Map |
Fatehpur Sikri is a town in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was originally a village named Sukri (which means "to thank"). The Mughal Emperor Babur founded this place. It was very dear to all the Mughal Emperors. They want to Sukri to enjoy the beauty of nature.
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| Emperor Akbar |
Then in 1571 Emperor Akbar built a magnificent city near the village Sukri and named it Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri served as a capital of Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585. But then suddenly one day Emperor Akbar abandoned this place.
Historians say that Emperor Akbar abandoned Fatehpur Sikri due to his campaign in Punjab. But the real truth is still unknown. If you go to Fatehpur Sikri you will come across a new version of a story of the reasons why Emperor Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri. This story is very popular among the local people.
Emperor Akbar wanted a son to become his heir. So he went to a wise sage named Salim Chisti who lived in Sukri. Salim Chisti foretold Akbar that he would soon be a father of a boy. A year later the queen gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Akbar named his son Salim to show respect to the sage, Salim Chisti. In later period Akbar's son Salim was known as Jahangir. From Abul Fazal's records of Akbar we come to know that Akbar's son Salim was born in the village of Sukri.
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| Fatehpur Sikri |
Akbar was very happy because of the birth of his son. He decided to build a city in Sukri in the honour of Salim Chisti. He constructed a magnificent city near the village of Sukri and named it Fatehpur Sikri (which means "the city of victory") .
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| Woman Dancing in Akbar's Court |
When the city was ready to live Emperor Akbar threw a grand party to celebrate the birth of his son. He asked for best musicians and dancers to perform at the party. In the village of Sukri lived a very talented dancer named Zarina. She was called to perform in the great celebration. Zarina went to the palace and danced all night. Emperor Akbar was mesmerized by the beauty of her dance. Akbar decided that Zarina would stay at the palace.
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| Jodha Bai |
Everyone in the palace liked Zarina. But the queens maid was very much jealous of her. The queen's maid Madhavi wanted Zarina to be thrown out of the palace. One day when queen Jodha Bai was taking bath, Madhavi stole one of her favourite bangle. She hid it with the belongings of Zarina. When the queen found out about her missing bangle, she ordered to search the palace. The bangle was found from the room of Zarina.
Emperor Akbar was so angry that without thinking anything he ordered to punish Zarina for her crime. Akbar ordered to cut the hands of Zarina so that she would never be able to steal again. The next morning Akbar sent his guards to bring Zarina. The guards searched the entire palace but Zarina was nowhere to be found.
An old man came to the emperor's court and accused the Emperor for taking wrong judgement. The old man was Zarina's father. He cursed that Fatehpur Sikri would pay for the sorrow and betrayal toward his daughter Zarina.
Two weeks later all the water sources of Fatehpur Sikri dried up. There was no water for drinking at all. Finding no other way Emperor Akbar took his wives,children and courtiers to his fort in Agra and never returned to a place that he built with so much love and affection.
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| Buland Darwaza |
It is told that even today in moonlit nights villagers can see a figure standing at the Buland Darwaza (the main entrance of Fatehpur Sikri). The figure is believed to be the spirit of Madhavi who is still waiting at the door for Zarina's return to ask for Zarina's forgiveness.
The authenticity of this story is unknown. But even today grandmothers of Fatehpur Sikri tell this story to children. Thus this story had passed down form one generation to the next. Over time this story has become a belief.
I suggest if you go to visit Fatehpur Sikri, make sure to visit the Buland Darwaza once at night. Who knows may be you can also become a part of history's one of the most mysterious events...
If you can't go there here it is small trip of this place. Enjoy...
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