Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani

The tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani is the resting place of Jodha Bai, the favorite wife of Mughal Emperor Akbar. She gave birth to Jahangir, the next Mughal Emperor, which is why she was given the title of Mariam-uz-Zamani (Mary of the Age). The tomb is significant as it is quite magnificent in its own way. It is in the town of Sikandra that was built by Sikandar Lodi.

History

Mariam-uz-Zamani was the title conferred on Heer Kuwari, who gave birth to the first heir to the Mughal throne. The tomb was built by her son Jahangir in AD 1623 as per her wishes to have it close to her husband, Emperor Akbar. She was a Hindu princess who was married to a Mughal king. It is said that her son also built a 'vav' or step well that was also the wish of his mother. She was buried according to the Islamic custom as well as cremated according to Hindu faith.

Location

As mentioned earlier, it the tomb is just a km away from the tomb of Akbar. It is situated on the Delhi-Agra National Highway, near Fatehpur Sikri. The tomb is in Sikandra, Agra city, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.

Architecture

The structure was originally a barahdari that was later converted into a tomb as it was reconstructed. The four facades of the structure were built into a tomb in the style of Mughal architecture. The tomb of the queen lies in the crypt under the central compartment, which can be accessed with the stairs done in red stone. A cenotaph is placed in the central chamber. Below the tomb there are around 40 chambers that are painted on plastered walls.

There are in all three tombstones. One is the grave itself on the underground level; above it is the cenotaph; and the third is on the terrace. The tomb is square and stands on a huge garden. There are many massive pillars, arches, and vaulted ceilings that are built using brick and mortar. The significant thing about the tomb structure is that it looks the same from the front and back. This is unique among the Mughal structures.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani is during the months of October to March. The weather is pleasant during this time as it is winter season, perfect for excursion and site seeing. Summer begins in March and lasts till June. While the weather is clear in summers, the heat is unbearable, and therefore it is advised to visit during the winter season.

The entry fee for citizens of India and the SAARC countries is Rs. 10. For foreign nationals, it is Rs. 100. However, children under 15 are exempted from paying entry fee. The site is open from sunrise to sunset on all days.



Last Updated on : January 16, 2014