ON WISH

One thing that troubled Akbar was that he had no son who would inherit his throne after him.

To fulfill his desire for a son, Akbar walked barefoot across a desert to meet Sheikh Salim Chisti, a Saint, in Silkri.

The saint lived in a hut on the peak of a hill with thick forests all around. Akbar met th saint. The saint blessed him and said that he would have three sons.

As the saint had prophesied, Akbar had three sons named Salim (who later became Emperor Jahangir), Murad and Daniyal. Murad and Daniyal died while Akbar was still alive.

After Salim's birth, Akbar shifted his capital to the city of Fatehpur Sikri.

He did this because he thought that the city was lucky for him because while he was there he won many wars. There he got a huge gate called 'Bulund Dawaza' made.

'Fateh' means victory. After he winning of various wars, this place was named as Fatehpur Sikri, meaning the place of victory.

There are many beautiful buildings there like the Hawa Mahal and Diwan-e-am.

After the death of Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti in 1572, Akbar got his tomb made in Fatehpur Sikri.

Initially, the frontage of the tomb was of red sandstone, but later it was covered with marble.
It is said that if women who do not have children tie a thread there, they are blessed by the saint with children.

After bearing their child, they must go and untie the thread from th beautiful marble mesh where they had tied their thread.

Akbar had two lakes made in the city for saving water. But the water available was still not sufficient for everyone.

Akbar played chess in a very interesting way; girls were used as pawns on t huge chessboard made on the ground. Akbar sat on his throne at a height and made the moves.