Built from scratch in 1571 by Akbar in honor of the Sufi saint Salim Chisti, who had predicted the birth of a son, this grand ghost city is carved entirely from red sandstone. It was only inhabited for 14 years, after which -- some say because of water shortages -- it was totally abandoned.

It's a bizarre experience to wander through this magnificent, architecturally fascinating monument, a site carved by the passing of time.

The design has strong Hindu and Jain design elements, indicative again of builder's embracing attitude to the conquered and their faiths.