Akbar Tomb

Main entrance: The main entrance to the tomb of Akbar, the most famous Mughal emperor, lies in the suburbs of Agra at a place called Sikandra. The site was chosen by Akbar himself, as was the custom.
Main building: The whole building is in full view here, representing the fine architecture that was characteristics of the Mughal era. Work of red stone and marble is visible. The building was completed by his son, Jahangir.
Kanch Mahal: Near the tomb is the Kanch Mahal, which functioned as the harem quarter. It was built by Jahangir, Akbar's son. This is actually a gateway to the tomb, and also functioned as a hunting lodge later.
Visitors: Akbar Tomb remains a popular tourist destination, most because of its historical significance. The site is about eight km from Agra, and people who visit the Taj Mahal are advised to have a look.
Inlay work on main gate: Like most other Mughal buildings around the time of Akbar, this one too features fine inlay work decorating the main gate. Stone of different colours are used to create intricate motifs.
Wall paintings: The walls on the inside are ornate, featuring a generous use of paintings that transfix the visitor. One can well imagine the magnificence these must have conjured back in those days.
Close-up: A close-up of the wall paintings. The floral motifs used are quite intricate, reflecting the amount of hard work that must have gone into covering every portion of the walls with great skill.
Another view: The wall paintings shown in detail. Notice the generous use of bright colours (purple, golden, orange, etc.) and complex designs carefully placed in apposition to enhance the overall d�cor.
Elegance redefined: The details add up and when admired from a distance, leave one awestruck. The calligraphy at the bottom also enhances the beauty of the walls and offer a rare glimpse into the culture.

About Akbar Tomb

In the suburbs of Agra on the Mathura road, about 8 km away from the city center at a place called Sikandra lies the tomb of the third Mughal emperor Akbar. The remains of the great emperor rest in the pyramidal mausoleum with five tiers. A false tomb is placed on the top floor, while the real tomb of Akbar lies in the basement.

History and Architecture

Akbar was the Mughal emperor from 1556 till his death in 1605. According to the tradition of Tartary, one could construct his own tomb during his lifetime. This custom was religiously followed by the Mughals. Akbar had chosen a suitable site at Sikandra, an area close to Agra city named after Sikandar Lodhi. His son Jehangir completed the monument after Akbar's death, building the topmost storey using white marble.

The tomb, shaped like a truncated pyramid, is a five-storey building resting on a high stone platform. It is located right in the center of a square piece of land with four causeways extending from it in four directions. The magnificent entrance, the fine patterns, the jali work, all are inspired from Islamic style, while the calligraphy and the layout of the garden famously known as Charbagh speaks of the Persian style. The use of canopies, airy pavilions in tiers, and the absence of a dome show influence of the local architecture.

The south gate leads to the Akbar tomb through the garden. Floral and geometrical arabesque embellishments in white decorate the gateway, along with splendidly adorned calligraphy. The corners of the monument are beautified with minarets of white marble. The four causeways and gardens lead to the main tomb. Arcaded verandas with cloisters and several cubicles are there in all the square stories of the tomb. Some of the cubicles in the second storey have pyramidal roofs, while others are adorned with cupolas. In the third storey there is a square room in each segment. The top storey has an open square court encircled with slender arches and piers with delicate marble screens as walls. The false cenotaph of the emperor, adorned with arabesque and floral pattern carvings, is laid on a square platform placed at the center of the courtyard. The entire storey is built of white marble.

The actual cenotaph is laid in the basement in a simple chamber paved with stone, where a vestibule decorated with floresque, arabesque and calligraphic designs leads to the Akbar's tomb. The portico in front of the cenotaph is covered with beautiful stucco paintings. The place also entombs graves of Aram Banu and Shukru-n-Nisa (daughters of Akbar), Zebu-n-Nisa (daughter of Aurangzeb) and Sulaiman Shikoh (son of Shah Alam) in different chambers.

Timings

Akbar Tomb is open from sunrise to sunset. The best time to visit this place of peace and serenity is during the winters.

Entrance Fee

Rs. 5.00 per head for:
Indian citizens
Citizens of SAARC countries (Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan Bangladesh and Bhutan)
Citizens of BIMSTEC countries (Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Thailand and Myanmar)

Others:

US$ 2 or Rs. 100 per head.
Free entry on Fridays.
Free entry for children up to 15 years.

Location and how to reach

Located at Sikandra, in the suburbs of Agra on the Mathura road, Akbar Tomb is about 8 km away from the city center. The city of Agra can be approached by road, rail or air. The nearest airport is about 7 km from the city. The main railway station is Agra Cantonment. From Agra, Sikandra can be reached by road.

Last Updated on June 14, 202