Why did Emperor Akbar build a magnificent capital only to abandon it shortly after?

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 1571 as the seat of the Mughal Empire, Fatehpur Sikri was a marvel of red sandstone and syncretic architecture. Yet, by 1585, the Emperor moved on, and the city was entirely deserted by 1610. Was it a failure of water supply, or simply a royal whim?

Fatehpur Sikri was established by Emperor Akbar to honor the Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chishti, who had predicted the birth of Akbar's son, Jahangir. Construction began in 1569, and the site quickly evolved into a sprawling imperial complex. The city was designed as a leisure-focused capital, featuring an intricate layout of gardens, palaces, and administrative buildings. Its architecture blended Timurid, Hindu, and Muslim styles, utilizing red sandstone to create structures like the massive Buland Darwaza, a victory arch standing 54 metres high.

The city functioned as the Mughal capital from 1571 until 1585. Its rapid decline is often attributed to a failing water supply, though historians suggest Akbar’s shifting priorities played a significant role. After he departed for a military campaign in Punjab in 1585, the city was never fully reoccupied. By the time William Finch visited in the early 17th century, he described the once-populous metropolis as a waste desert. Despite its brief tenure as a capital, the site remains a testament to Mughal ambition and courtly life.

Archaeological evidence reveals that the location held significance long before Akbar arrived. Excavations at Birchhabili Tila indicate settlement dating back to the 6th century, including evidence of a Jain shrine. The area was later controlled by Sikarwar Rajputs and the Delhi Sultanate. Today, the site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its outstanding preservation, which allows scholars to reconstruct the hierarchy and daily routines of the Mughal court that once thrived on this rocky ridge.

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