Akbar’Tomb at Sikandra
Sinkandra, Agra, Uttar Pradesh – 282007
Phone :+91 562 264 1230
The Tomb of Akbar the Great is an important Mughal Architectural masterpiece, built in 1605–1613, set in 48 Ha (119 acres) of grounds in Sikandra, a suburb of Agra.
The third Mughal Emperor, Akbar the Great (1555–1605), himself commenced its construction in around 1600, according to Tartary tradition to commence the construction of one’s tomb during one’s lifetime. Akbar himself planned his own tomb and selected a suitable site for it. After his death, Akbar’s son Jahangir completed the construction in 1605-1613. Akbar was one of the greatest emperors in the history of India. However, during the reign of Aurangzeb Alamgir, Rebellious Jats under Raja Ram Jat, ransacked the intricate tomb, plundered and looted all the beautiful gold, jewels, silver and carpets, whilst destroying other things. There are still signs of burning on the gates. Akbar’s bones were also burnt and the Tomb suffered a lot, until extensive repair was carried out by the British under Lord Curzon.
The south gate of Akbar’Tomb is the largest, with four white marble chhatri-topped minarets which are similar to (and pre-date) those of the Taj Mahal, and is the normal point of entry to the tomb. The Akbar’Tomb itself is surrounded by a walled enclosure 105 m square. The tomb building is a four-tiered pyramid, surmounted by a marble pavilion containing the false tomb. The true tomb, as in other mausoleums, is in the basement.
The buildings are constructed mainly from a deep red sandstone, enriched with features in white marble. Decorated inlaid panels of these materials and a black slate adorn the tomb and the main gatehouse. Panel designs are geometric, floral and calligraphic, and prefigure the more complex and subtle designs later incorporated in Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb.
Source : Wikipedia
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Visiting hours : Sunrise to Sunset
Entry fee : https://goo.gl/ZjTJfr
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