Fathepur Sikri is a desolated historical city in the North Indian state Uttar Pradesh, close to Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal (fig.).

It was constructed in 1570 by the third Mughal Emperor Akbar and served as the Mughal capital between 1571 and 1585.

Legend has it that is was built in this spot in honour of a saint named Salim, who lived in a nearby grotto and had foretold the birth of Akbar's son and suc-cessor.

At birth, Akbar's son was hence named after the saint, i.e. Prince Salim, whom later ascended the throne of the Mughal Empire as Emperor Ja-hangir.

Though it took 15 years to construct, the capital was abandoned after being in use for only 14 years, allegedly due to the lack of sufficient water supply, as well as growing unrest in the Northwest of the Empire.

Designed in the Mughal style of architecture, which is an mixture of Islamic, Persian and Indian architecture, Fathepur Sikri is today listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.