Fatehpur Sikri

Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri as his new capital in the 1570s, on the ridge where the Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chishti lived. The saint had foretold the birth of an heir, and when a son was born, Akbar honoured him with a city. It was the imperial capital for only about fifteen years before the court moved on, which is why its palaces survive so complete.

The site has two halves. The royal complex holds the Diwan-i-Khas, where a single carved pillar supports a central platform, the five open storeys of the Panch Mahal and the palaces of Akbar's queens. Next door, the mosque complex is entered through the towering Buland Darwaza and contains the white marble tomb of Salim Chishti, where visitors still tie threads to the screens when they make a wish.