Holy Tomb of Hazrat Salim Chishti — Attraction in Uttar Pradesh

The tomb of Salim Chishti is located within the Friday Mosque complex at Fatehpur Sikri, which is located at the southern end of the Fatehpur Sikri palace complex Chishti, whose tomb is in Ajmer. Legend has it that Akbar, who lacked an heir, sought assistance from Salim Chisti. The son then born to Akbar was named Salim, after the saint, and later became known as Jahangir.Today, the tomb is a white marble structure raised on a plinth. The original building commissioned by Akbar is believed to have been a smaller, red sandstone structure, consisting of today's inner tomb chamber. Jahangir later introduced the verandah, the southern porch and the extensive marble cladding.On the south, an ablution tank and a raised white marble plinth precede an entrance porch notable for its (nonstructural) serpentine brackets which traverse between the columns and the porch roof. The building, comprising the tomb chamber and a circumambulatory verandah, is square in plan and measures 14.63 meters per side. It is clad completely in white makrana marble. At the corners of the verandah, three small vertical jali panels form side lights flanking the arch on either side; a horizontal band at the springline of the arch divides it into two sections, and its tymphanum above creates a third. Each panel is filled with intricate geometric patterns; the fine detailing gives the marble the appearance of ivory. On the interior, the opaque surfaces of the verandah contain inlaid Arabic inscriptions in black marble from the Quran and the Hadith. A very broad chajja (eave) encircling the building's elevations, including the porch, is supported on S-shaped Gujarati-type struts, with the space between the curves of the ‘S’ filled with intricate jali work in geometrical and floral designs. These nonstructural struts are further articulated with a molded pendant at the lower end and a half chakra (a circular medallion) at the crown. Similar serpentine struts can also be found on the small Stonecutter’s Mosque. They are entirely decorative; the load from the chajja is transferred to a system of bracket supports that project from the capitals of the columns. The roof over the verandah is corbelled ( a "lantern" roof), and the tomb chamber is surmounted by a single central marble hemispherical dome supported on squinches within and crowned by a modest lotus finial without.The cenotaph is located in the centre of the inner tomb chamber and is covered by a canopy made of ebony and inlaid with mother of pearl. The interior of the tomb is decorated profusely with paintings, covering almost all surfaces from the skirting to the dome. Created on plaster applied to the stone walls, these paintings contain a combination of organic and geometric motifs, a style which would date them to the reign of Shah Jahan (reg. 1628-1657).The materials of the tomb indicate that its current form is the product of a renovation by Jahangir, one undertaken approximately 20 years after Akbar built the original structure. The rich marble veneer of the verandah and the external surfaces do not belong to Akbar’s period, when marble was used quite sparingly in the form of inlay and ornament, and most buildings were clad in red sandstone; examples include Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi and the Jahangiri Mahal in Agra, both built by Akbar. In addition, the burial chamber has a brick skeleton, with stone used only in the skirting; this forms the basis of the conjecture that the original site was limited to the internal tomb chamber, which would have been clad in red sandstone.Jahangir’s memoirs include references to additions made to the Salim Chisti tomb during his reign which were carried out under the supervision of Qutb Al Din Kukaltash Kuban, the grandson of Salim Chisti. In 1605-1607, the verandah and porch were added along with their corbelled roof and the jali screens, and the external surfaces were clad...

The Tomb of Hazrat Salim Chisti, located within the premises of Jama Masjid in Fatehpur Sikri, is one of the most revered and architecturally significant sites in India. Situated in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Fatehpur Sikri, this tomb attracts not only spiritual pilgrims but also history enthusiasts and architecture lovers. It offers an intriguing glimpse into the Mughal era, showcasing both the spiritual importance of the site and the architectural grandeur of the period.

Hazrat Salim Chisti was a prominent Sufi saint whose blessings were sought by Emperor Akbar. According to legend, Akbar visited him in search of a son, and Hazrat Salim Chisti’s blessings were believed to have led to the birth of Akbar’s heir, Salim (later known as Emperor Jahangir). Because of this, the tomb became a significant pilgrimage site, especially for people seeking blessings for children. Visitors still tie threads on the tomb’s grille, hoping for the fulfillment of their wishes.

The tomb itself is a beautiful blend of Mughal and Persian architectural styles. The white marble structure is simple yet mesmerizing, surrounded by an intricately designed marble jali (lattice) that allows for an ethereal play of light and shadow within the tomb. The tomb is set within a peaceful courtyard, and the atmosphere here is one of calm and reverence. The detailed inlay work on the tomb and the beautiful carvings reflect the skilled craftsmanship of the Mughal artisans of that era.

As you step inside the tomb, you’re greeted with a serene and spiritual ambiance. The tomb is housed in a small, square building, and you can see the tomb of Hazrat Salim Chisti placed on a raised platform in the center, surrounded by a decorative marble grille. Visitors often whisper their prayers and offerings here, creating a solemn and peaceful environment. The reverence surrounding the tomb makes it one of the most spiritually significant places in the region.

The tomb is also notable for its unique architecture. The design is minimalist compared to some of the grander Mughal structures like the Taj Mahal, but this simplicity adds to its charm. The use of white marble, the decorative jharokhas (overhanging structures), and the beautiful inlay work all contribute to its aesthetic appeal. The tomb stands as a testament to the Mughal Empire's dedication to art, architecture, and religion.

Aside from its spiritual significance, the Tomb of Hazrat Salim Chisti is a must-see for anyone interested in Mughal history or architecture. It’s a place that holds deep cultural and historical value and continues to inspire awe in those who visit. Whether you come for spiritual reasons, historical interest, or simply to experience the beauty of Mughal architecture, this tomb is a remarkable site...

Pretty horrific experience. We hired the government guide who met us outside our taxi, was wearing a batch. Took cash but never gave us any ticket or receipt. We hired guide for private guided tour of Fatehpur sekri. The first guide was a aged highly learned and informed hindu man from Rajasthan who had deep knowledge in history and showed us around. He explained things in detail and answered all our questions.

However, when the second half of the tour started, the guide changed. It was a young Muslim guy. He took us to buland darwaza, jama mosque and hazrat salim chisti's dargah. This guide first started preaching how great Islam is and what's so special about it. It felt more like a brain washing than a tour. He pushed us to buy us a chadar (sheet) to be put in dargah. He said the cheapest one was for Rs. 2500. When he saw our unwillingness to shed so much money. Then he made us sit beside the sheet seller, and showed us pictures of actress like Katrina Kaif and some random dignitories who had visited the shrine. He said it is a must that we buy a sheet. When he realized that I was unwilling to pay more than Rs. 100 then he tried to push us further. At that point my wife agreed to pay Rs. 500 and we really didn't intend to buy a sheet. But he said that there is one for 500 too. It seemed like a used one. Seems it is recirculated between holy tomb and the seller and repeatedly sold. Later, our second guide was quite pushy on whom to give money and with preaching his religion etc.

As much as the first half of the tour was a good experience, the second half of the tour was completely spoilt by this pushy guide.

Buland darwaza, Jama Mosque and holy tomb visit could be totally avoided. The guide kept saying that in this part there is no government involvement and is only run by donations made by people like us and is managed by the decendants of those who lived there earlier. A small graveyard is also situated within this part.

I hope the government does something to rectify this and change such pushy attitude and brainwashing by government guides. This could save so many international and national tourists such...