Hin: फ़तेहपुर सीकरी fatehpur sīkrī
‘The City of Victory’ [Sikri] – Town, Uttar Pradesh.
Per: fateh, ‘victory’; Skt: pur, ‘city’; Sikri – possibly from Skt: śikharī, ‘summit, peak’ or an older local name.
Fatehpur Sikri was established in 1571 by Emperor Akbar as the capital of the Mughal Empire. The site was chosen to honor Shaikh Salim Chishti, a revered Sufi saint whose blessings were believed to have led to the birth of Akbar’s heir, Prince Salim (Jahangir).
The city was an architectural masterpiece, blending Persian, Indian, and Timurid styles. It housed grand structures such as the Buland Darwaza, a monumental gateway celebrating Akbar’s victory in Gujarat (1573), the Jama Masjid, and the Panch Mahal. The Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Aam showcased the emperor’s governance and philosophy, including Akbar’s syncretic Din-i Ilahi belief system.
Despite its grandeur, Fatehpur Sikri was abandoned around 1585, possibly due to water scarcity and strategic concerns. It remains one of India’s best-preserved Mughal-era sites, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
Today, Fatehpur Sikri is a major tourist destination, known for red sandstone architecture, Mughal heritage, and handicrafts. The town’s economy is driven by tourism, stone carving, and local crafts.
For related place names see Indian Place names and Uttar Pradesh place names.
