Monday, January 5, 2009

4 December – Fatehpur Sikri, India

A couple of day’s camel riding west of Agra is Fatehpur Sikri. In the 16th century it was constructed as the new capital of the Mughal Empire. However, due to water shortages the city was abandoned after only 14 years. This means that the palaces are extremely well preserved to this day. The most impressive structure is perhaps the 54 meter high Victory Gate which is the entrance to the huge Jama Masjid mosque complex.
We strolled around the Jama Masjid and the royal palaces for a few hours, impressed with the fine stonework and the mixed Indo-Islamic architecture.

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