Archaeological Revaluation of Fatehpur Sikri

Summary

This paper re‑examines the deserted Mughal capital of Fatehpur Sikri using recent archaeological findings. The author notes that Fatehpur Sikri lies about 40 km from Agra on the Agra‑Jaipur‑Bikaner highway. Its rectangular city wall has eight entrance gates or Pols, and the settlement developed along two directions: parallel to the Aravalli hills and along a north–south axis. Revenue records show no village named Fatehpur; the original name was Sikri, but after Babur’s victory at Khanwa the town was renamed Fatehpur and the two names became conflated. Although Akbar is usually credited with constructing the town, excavations reveal that habitation on the site predates his reign and may extend back to the Stone Age. Rock shelters nearby contain paintings depicting hunting scenes; painted grey ware sherds are found on both sides of the hillock, suggesting continuous settlement. The paper details how Akbar’s ancestors had little time for construction; the credit for the imperial city goes to Akbar and his courtier Abul Fazl. Archaeological surveys and excavations have recovered evidence of earlier occupation layers beneath Mughal structures. The author challenges earlier historical narratives by suggesting that the site’s significance stems not only from its Mughal phase but also from much older cultural layers. By bringing together evidence from revenue records, local traditions and recent excavations, the article offers a nuanced picture of Fatehpur Sikri’s evolution and calls for further multidisciplinary research.