Sikandra Travel Guide

 MM212 Says:  Built in 1605 by the great Mughal Emperor as his own mausoleum, Akbar's Tomb is a masterpiece of Mughal-period architecture. Akbar died before the completion of the tomb, but the last of the construction was overseen by his son Emperor Jahangir. It was considered eclectic in... 

 MM212 Says:  Unlike any mausoleum in the Indian subcontinent, the Central Mausoleum of Akbar's Tomb is in the shape of a tiered pyramid. It is also unique in that it contains no central dome or minarets (aside from those at the South Gate). The first four levels are built in red... 

 MM212 Says:  This multi-domed structure is a Sikh temple dedicated to Guru Tegh Bahadur. It is also sometimes referred to as Gurudwara ka Taal and is an important pilgrimage site. It was built at the location where the Guru surrendered to the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, in Sikandra, near... 

 MM212 Says:  Beautifully landscaped, the gardens of Akbar's Tomb are kept as they would have been upon completion in 1614. Herds of deer and troops of monkeys roam the lawns, while a variety of birds take stop for a rest, also as they would have in the 17th century. The garden itself... 

 MM212 Says:  The interior of the mausoleum of Akbar is one of the most beautifully and elaborately decorated I have seen in India (the Taj Mahal's interior, by comparison, is a bit of a letdown due to the lack of rich ornamentation). The walls and vaulted ceilings of the interior,... 

 MM212 Says:  A masterpiece and a monument in itself, the South Gate of Akbar's tomb is the most exquisite Mughal gateway ever built. It is the main - and only - entrance into the complex and is thus the grandest and most adorned among the four gate structures (the other three are... 

 MM212 Says:  The East Gate is similar to the West Gate both in purpose (i.e. to provide symmetry rather than an entry point) and design, but contains slightly less decorations. The same superb inlaid geometric and floral motifs cover the façade around the iwan arch, but the interior of... 

 MM212 Says:  The West Gate is more of a pavilion (baradari) to provide symmetry in architecture, rather than an actual gate. It is similar in design to the East Gate, though more richly decorated. Both are dominated by a large central iwan arch, which rises higher than the rest of the... 

 MM212 Says:  This ruined red brick structure is the mausoleum of Mariam Zamani, built by her son the Mughal Emperor Jehangir upon her death in 1623. She was the wife of Emperor Akbar, whose grand mausoleum lies just to the north of her own. Unlike Akbar's tomb, hers is in a rather bad... 

 MM212 Says:  Time was unkind to the North Gate, the only ruined structure in Akbar's Tomb. It likely resembled the East and West Gates, with a large iwan arch and richly decorated façade. 

 Willettsworld Says:  The tomb of Akbar has four gateways facing four different directions, with southern gateway as the main entrance and other three built just for the ornamental purposes. The northern gateway was struck by lightning some years ago and is in ruins now. It was built in red... 

 Willettsworld Says:  These are Langurs, black-faced monkeys that have found a safe haven in the beautiful gardens surrounding the mausoleum. They were so tame and just sitting there with their feet up that you could get within just a few feet of them. I took some photo's of them before an Indian... 

 Willettsworld Says:  Located centrally in the square plan, at the junction of four causeways dividing the garden into four quarters, the main tomb building has five storeys built in the shape of a truncated pyramid. It stands on a high stone platform. The vestibule leading to the Akbar's tomb is... 

 Willettsworld Says:  The main gatehouse lies at the southern end of the complex and is fairly dramatic as it features 4 tall white marble minarets on the four corners. All of these minarets are built in four tiers that diminish in diameter to the top and are crowned by chhatri. This... 

 Willettsworld Says:  Akbar started building his own mausoleum, near Agra, that was to be a perfect blend of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist and Jain designs and motifs, bespeaking of his religious tolerance and secular views. However, he could not complete it and died. Thus, his son Jehangir... 

 grets Says:  Local children will sell you a bag of nuts so that you can feed some of the many monkeys that roam the site. They are very tame and will eat out of your hand. 

 grets Says:  Akbar the Great was born 1542 and ruled from 1556 until his death in 1605. He was generally considered the true founder of the Mughal Empire and was one of the greatest rulers in Indian history. Check the web site below for much more information about Akbar.