Hiran Minar Fatehpur Sikri Agra (Timings, History, Entry Fee, Images, Built by & Information)

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Hiran Minar is a 21-metre-high tower built during the reign of Emperor Akbar. It served as a milepost and a lighthouse for the night travellers. It’s also believed that the emperor built it as a memorial to a beloved pet elephant named Hiran.

It’s a cylindrical tower that tapers to a rounded top. And it’s built over an octagonal platform which in turn stands on a square base. There are 53 steps inside Hiran Minar leading to the top of the tower.

From the top of Hiran Minar, one can get panoramic views of the fort and much of the Fatehpur Sikri area. So, the tower is also considered to be the private viewing area for the royal ladies to watch the games played on the grounds below.

Where is Hiran Minar in Fatehpur Sikri?

Hiran Minar is located in Fatehpur Sikri Fort, near Hathi Pol gate. The fort is 36 km away from Agra, and it’s a large complex with several Mughal-era monuments. These structures were built for various reasons, including administrative and residential purposes.

History of Hiran Minar

Fatehpur Sikri Hiran Minar is both a lighthouse as well as the fort’s zero milestone. It’s one of the several structures (kos minars) built along the major routes during the Mughal rule.

One of the earliest mentions of such a structure is found from the time of Emperor Babur’s rule. The historical texts suggest that he ordered these towers to be built at every nine kos (one kos = 4.19 km approx.) between Agra and Kabul. Later, sarais and dak chaukis were also built along these kos minars.

The tradition was followed by later rulers, too. Akbar is recorded to have built kos minars along the road from Agra to Ajmer. Jahangir also erected these towers from Agra to Lahore. Many of these milestones are still present in varying states of preservation.

Hiran Minar stands just in front of Hathi Pol gate. And its purpose was to ensure that people who arrived late could reach the fort even after dark. The fire lit on the top acted as the beacon.

Image Gallery of Hiran Minar Fatehpur Sikri Agra

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Things to do at Fatehpur Sikri Hiran Minar

1. Admiring the architecture – The Hiran Minar is 21 metres high with distinct carvings over stone. And it’s decorated with an alternate row of hexagons and stars. Hiran Minar is built over an octagonal platform that stands on a square base. It’s believed that elephant tusks were fixed in the centre of stars on the tower. But those are now replaced with stone projections.

2. Listening to the stories – Several stories are popular about Hiran Minar. While history suggests that it was used as a milestone and lighthouse, it’s also believed that Akbar built it in memory of an elephant. Apart from those, it’s also said that the Hiran Minar was connected to the palaces in the complex. And the emperor and his queens came to the tower to watch wrestling games.

3. Soaking in the views – If you can, climb up the stairs to visit the top. You’ll get 360-degree views of the surrounding monuments and the area around the fort. If you visit in the evening, you might also see the reddish sun setting down the horizon.

4. Exploring the fort complex – Fatehpur Sikri Fort has several other places to explore apart from Hiran Minar. It has halls like Diwan-i-Aam and Diwan-i-Khas, and palaces like Jodha Bai’s Palace, Rang Mahal and Panch Mahal. A few other popular monuments in the fort are Jama Masjid, Salim Chishti’s Tomb and Buland Darwaza.

5. Shopping for local items – The local market near the fort has shops with unique souvenirs and presents for loved ones. You’ll find many traditional handicrafts, apparel and adornments at those stores. Intricate miniature artworks, hand-made jewellery and locally-crafted attars (perfume oils) are also worth checking out.

Hiran Minar Timings and Entry Fees

Hiran Minar Fatehpur Sikri is open throughout the year. The best time to visit it, though, is in the winter months, from November to February. The weather is the most comfortable during those days. It takes about an hour to explore the place, but you must have at least 2-3 hours to visit Fatehpur Sikri Fort completely. Hiran Minar’s opening time is from sunrise to sunset.

The entry fee of Hiran Minar is included with Fatehpur Sikri’s fort ticket. It is ₹50 per person for Indian, SAARC and BIMSTEC country tourists. Tourists from other countries have to pay ₹610. Kids below 15 years get free entry.

How to reach Hiran Minar in Fatehpur Sikri?

Fatehpur Sikri Fort is 36 km away from Agra. Its distance from Idgah bus stand and Agra Cantt railway station is 35 km; and from Agra airport, it’s 34 km away. The nearest international airport is in Delhi (215 km away). Fatehpur Sikri has a railway station, too, 3 km from the fort.

Now, here are the different ways to reach Hiran Minar Fatehpur Sikri –

By train – Regular trains are available from Agra to Fatehpur Sikri station, 3 km away. Auto-rickshaws are available from there.

By bus – Buses are also available from Agra. The bus stop in Fatehpur Sikri is 3 km from the fort, from where you get auto-rickshaws.

By auto/e-rickshaw – You can also hire an auto-rickshaw from Agra itself to go to Fatehpur Sikri. They’re easily available all over the city.

By cab/taxi – Taking a full-day cab or taxi from Agra is the most comfortable way to visit Hiran Minar in Fatehpur Sikri. You can book them easily from the top car rental companies in Agra and visit all the nearby tourist places.

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Location Map for Hiran Minar Agra