Fatehpur Sikri and the Taj Mahal

We left Jaipur this morning and travelled east to Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri was the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned, due to lack of water. By far, this was Paul and my favorite stop on the trip.

Here we are outside the gates . . .

Inside the walls, the same red sandstone is used to build the structures. A garden remains inside the courtyard.

Paul and I sit on the "royal seat" in the courtyard that was once used to entertain the Akbar and his queens where ladies from the harem played as live pieces on Parcheesi boards drawn on the actual courtyard floor. . .

A photo from inside Jama Masjid, or Friday Mosque, looking out to the walls of the Palace of the Hindu Wife.


Outside the complex, we see the tallest arch that exists in Asia.

We leave Fatehpur Sikri, and drive to Agra. We stay the night at the Trident hotel. We get up for breakfast at 6 am, and go to the Taj Mahal at 6:30 am.

In 1631, Shah Jahan, emperor during the Mughal empire's period of greatest prosperity, was grief stricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died during the birth of their fourteenth child. From this grief, he constructed this massive mausoleum, which incorporates Persian and Mughal architectural styles, out of love for his wife, Mumtaz.

It is a foggy morning, so the Taj Mahal appears covered in the mist this morning. It is very mystical to see.

After seeing the Taj Mahal, we hop back in the car and drive to the Delhi Domestic Airport. Now, back to Pune!

Jaipur, The Pink City

We flew into Jaipur late last night. Jaipur is the largest city in Rajasthan, and one can instantly feel this as you drive from the airport to your lodgings. We had a nice dinner at the Golden Tulip, where we are staying, and then woke the next morning to see the Amber Fort.

On the way, to the Amber Fort we stopped at Hawa Mahal, or the Palace of Winds. The intention of the Palace of Winds was to allow the ladies to view street life in Jaipur without being seen. We were not allowed within the building, however can see the facade below.

We continue on our drive and arrive at the Amber Fort to take our elephant ride. Paul promised me a year ago when I agreed to come to India that he would take me for an elephant ride. Here we all are below on our elephants riding up to the gates of the Amber Fort.

Mom and Dad . . .

Paul and I are on Laxmi, a 40 year old female elephant who was quite entertaining on our ride.

At the end of our ride, we decide to pet Laxmi and thank her for the pleasant journey up the hill. Surprisingly, elephants have rather rough and prickly skin with all their bristles.

Inside the fort, we are shown the queen's chamber. Here is a photo of the mirror inlay work done in the interior of her room.

Paul enjoys the king's spacious chamber that overlooks the court.

Later that day, Paul and I go to the City Palace. Not as impressive as the City Palace in Udaipur, but still interesting. There was a nice collection of the royal court's clothing worn throughout the years as well as a weapons gallery.

The guest house at the City Palace . . .

Tomorrow, we depart early for our drive to Fatehpur Sikri and the Taj Mahal.