Khwabgah - Best Tourist Attractions in Fatehpur Sikri

Khwabgah (means the Dream Palace) is one of the most beautiful buildings of the Fatehpur Sikri. It was conceived for the personal use of the Mughal emperor Akbar. It also has a separate room so that the emperor can hold secret official meetings with his nobles. There was a ‘Kutub khana or a personal library with many books and official documents, a bathroom and the bedroom of Emperor Akbar.

The two-storey red sandstone building is considered as one of the most well-planned buildings of Fatehpur Sikri. According to Historian Abul Fazl, there were about ‘25000 manuscripts in Akbar’s library. The room behind Kutub Khana that was used for secret meetings still has some traces of the most beautiful paintings.

It was used as the Royal Bed Room of Akbar and had special space for personal meetings with his advisors. It was also directly connected to the royal harem and queens palaces through enclosed passages as well.

Attraction

The main attraction of Khwabgah is its mesmerizing beauty. The bedroom known as ‘Khilwatkada-i-Khas’ was surrounded by a pillared verandah with a stone-tiled sloping roof. The room is aesthetically decorated and has carved panels and beautiful mural paintings depicting scenes from the Mughal court on the walls. The walls have a number of Persian ‘inscriptions’ praising the beauty of the palace and relating it to heaven. It was connected to the imperial harem and ‘Panch Mahal’ through an enclosed passage. However, there is a big window in one portion of the lower floor that is known as Jharokha. The emperor showed himself daily to the general public through this Jharokha. Today, many tourists visit this place to look at the witness of the bygone era.

History

Built during the second half of the 16th century by the emperor Akbar, the magnificent two-story building located to the south of ‘Anup Talao is the Khwabgah, which was Emperor Akbar’s residence within the complex. As a result, it is one of the most beautiful buildings within the Fatehpur Sikri complex, comprising sterling artwork and murals within the building. One side of this building looks out to the Anup Talao. It is believed that there were once occasional music performances held here. The bedroom within the palace is flanked by various ornamental columns with majestic carvings. The utility of the Khwabgah was not restricted to being a residence alone. It is believed that the palace had various facilities that would allow the emperor to not only conduct official meetings but also access official documents without even stepping out. Khwabgah - Best Tourist Attractions in Fatehpur Sikri

Inside/Outside Views

The Dream Palace, constructed for the great Mughal King Akbar, has a bedroom, a personal library, and a small bathroom. It is believed that the ‘library or kutub Khana’ of Akbar had more than 25000 manuscripts along with his important and confidential official documents. It is said that Akbar’s bedroom or ‘Khilwatkada-I-Khas’ was connected to the ‘Panch Mahal’ and ‘the royal harem’ through an enclosed passage.

The bedroom known as ‘Khilwatkada-i-Khas’ is still surrounded by a pillared verandah with a stone-tiled sloping roof. The ground floor chambers seem ordinary, but the emperor’s personal chamber (on the first floor) is pompously ornamented using carved flat panels, beautiful murals which are depicting geometrical and floral patterns as well as painted designs. The mural paintings depict scenes from Mughal court, which have faded with time. Persian inscriptions, in different colors, are also used often praising the palace, comparing it with heaven. Khwabgah - Best Tourist Attractions in Fatehpur Sikri

Opening Hours

Monday 6:00 am – 6:00 pm

Tuesday 6:00 am – 6:00 pm

Wednesday 6:00 am – 6:00 pm

Thursday 6:00 am – 6:00 pm

Friday 6:00 am – 6:00 pm

Saturday 6:00 am – 6:00 pm

Sunday 6:00 am – 6:00 pm

How to Reach

Modes of transportation available To reach Khwabgah in Agra, there are multiple modes of transportation available.

By Air: If you prefer air travel then you can take a flight to Agras Kheria Airport which is approximately 6 kilometers away from Khwabgah. The nearest international airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport From the airport, visitors can opt for local transports like cab rentals in Agra or take a bus to Fatehpur Sikri.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Fatehpur Sikri Railway Station which is well-connected to major cities in India. From the station local transports are available to reach the site because from the station, the site is only 1 km. from Agra Cantonment Railway Station, Khwabgah is approximately 37 kilometers.

By Road: For those who prefer to travel by road, there are good road connections to Fatehpur Sikri from all the major cities in India. And visitors can take a road trip to the site. The distance from Delhi to Fatehpur Sikri is nearly 210 km, and it takes around 4 hours to reach the site by road. People from neighboring cities can also travel by road. Agras central bus stand is approximately 40 kilometers away from Khwabgah.

Tips for Travellers

If you are visiting Fatehpur Sikri for the first time, we suggest you explore the place. You can visit: Buland Darwaza Gate Jama Masjid mosque, the marble ‘Tomb of Salim Chishti’, Diwan-E-Khas Diwan E Aam hall rooms, Jodha Bai’s Palace (a mix of Hindu and Mughal styles), the 5-story Panch Birbal Bhavan Caravan Serai and many more.

Try to go early in the morning as it will be less crowded and quieter. Winters are considered the best season to visit Fatehpur Sikri. This season that stretches from November to March is absolutely pleasant and cool. Temperatures from 24°C in the day to 5°C in the night and sometimes get even chillier.