Rest of the Tomb  : Each side of the second storey has an arcaded verandah consisting of 23 bays. The combination of ornamented arches and square pillars is quite a unique feature. In contrast, the third and fourth storeys are smaller and have a similar arrangement of arches supported on pillars with chhatris attached on th exteriors of each facade. While the lower stories are built in red sandstone, the topmost storey is a complete structure of white marble.

Ground Floor  : All the four sides, except the middle of the southern side, have spacious cloisters which are divided by massive piers and arches. The centre of the southern side is adorned with a vestibule, which has been blazoned with exquisite carvings, splendid paintings and inlay work in geometric and floral designs. The tombstone of Akbar lies in the middle of this room. Akbar's daughters, Shakrul Nisha Begum and Aram Bano are also entombed in this floor.

Location : Located at a distance of just 4 kilometers away from Agra, Sikandra is named after Sikander Lodhi.

Introduction : One of the most important bases of Mughal power, Agra is home to some of the finest examples of Mughal architecture. One of these is Akbar's Tomb at Sikandra , where one of the greatest emperors in the world lies buried. Perhaps the greatest monarch India has ever seen and definitely the most powerful and able ruler of the Mughal dynasty, Akbar supervised the construction of the tomb himself during his lifetime. The rest of the tomb was completed by his son Jahangir after Akbar's death.

Architecture : A perfect blend of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Jain styles of architectures, Akbar's Tomb is just like the ideals of the great monarch himself an amalgamation of the positivities of different cultures. The most important aspect of the construction is that it shows the developing style of Mughal architecture. The tomb comprises of three-storey minarets on four corners which is perhaps the most characteristic feature of Islamic architecture. Another important feature of early Mughal architecture is also evident in its construction which is the combination of red sandstone and marble, a feature that was to be replaced completely by marble in the later period.

How to Reach : The small town of Sikandra is 4 km from Agra and is located to the west of the city. It can be easily reached from Agra. The city of Agra is well connected by air with Khajuraho, Varanasi, and Delhi. It has good rail and bus connections with major Indian cities. To reach the monument, one can either use taxi, tempo, auto-rickshaw, or local buses. Travelers can also avail of the prepaid transport for excursions in and around the city limits, including Sikandra. Private tour operators conduct tours of Agra, many of which include a stopover at Akbar's tomb. Bicycles can also be hired on hourly basis from different parts of the city.

Akbar`s Tomb At Sikandra : A short distance from Agra, lies the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great, in Sikandra. Akbar who ruled over the Mughal Empire from 1556 to 1605, began building his mausoleum in the spartan style of Timurid architecture. The mausoleum was completed by his son, the next Mughal Emperor, Jahangir, who added more decorative elements to the design of Akbar's tomb in Sikandra. You can see Akbar's Tomb in Sikandra, on tours to Agra, with Agra Hub.

The entrance to Akbar's tomb in Sikandra is under a huge arched gateway, similar to the Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri. There are beautiful calligraphic inscriptions on the white marble front of the gate. As you enter the gate you will see a formal garden in the charbagh tradition, and the tomb of Akbar situated at the center. Within the same complex is another sober tomb made of red sandstone, which contains the grave of Akbar's wife Mariam, the mother of Jahangir.

Akbar's Tomb - A MAGNIFICENT MAUSOLEUM  : Akbar's tomb at Sikandra is an excellent example of assimilation of different styles of architecture and it represents a significant departure from the earlier Mughal buildings. The tomb carries the characteristic flavor of the airy tiered pavilions of the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.

Akbar was the third emperor of the Mughal dynasty that ruled India in the medieval period. In 1556, at the tender age of 14, he was crowned the Mughal ruler following the sudden death of his father Humayun. Akbar was not only a good administrator but also a connoisseur of art and architecture. The architectural prowess of this great monarch is evident from the numerous buildings built by him within the precincts of the great Agra Fort. Most of the buildings within this fort represent a unique blending of different architectural styles. Later on, he went on to build the imperial city at Fatehpur Sikri (near Agra). The buildings at Fatehpur Sikri belong to a composite style of architecture with the predominating Islamic style cleverly blended with local Rajasthani and Gujarati styles. The style of architecture characterized by airy tiered pavilions that emerged at Fatehpur Sikri can best be described as a melting pot of different cultures. It not only made Indian culture rich but also reflected the broadminded nature of Akbar and his prosperous reign.

Before his death in 1605, Akbar started building the magnificent edifice at Sikandra, which was later completed by his son Jahangir. The tomb, as it stands today, is in a large walled garden on the Delhi-Agra road. The tomb can be entered through an elegant southern gateway, which leads into the huge enclosed garden. This magnificent gateway is covered with floral and geometrical arabesque decoration in white and colored marble is crowned with four elegant minarets in white marble. The calligraphic decoration, first of its kind, is simply grand. The gateway is a stately composition. Its high central arch is flanked by others, which are small and simple. The grandeur of this gateway renders it the most magnificent gateway to any monument in the country. The charbagh (four gardens) leads to the pyramidal structure of the emperor's tomb. The tomb is predominately bright red-tiered structure, stacked like a castle of playing cards. The tomb is different from previous Mughal buildings in many ways. The building has five levels. The first is a podium of arches. In the center of each face is a highly inlaid framed door. The next three levels are in red sandstone and have no arches, but the flat roof is held in place by rows of pillars.

Style of Architecture : The tomb of Akbar, though Islamic in spirit, is a blend of styles. The magnificent entrance, use of exquisite patterns, excellent jali work (intricately perforated decorative stone screens), fine Persian style calligraphy, the charbagh garden layout (four-quartered garden layout, with the main building at the center), etc., are representative of Islamic influence. On the other hand, the absence of a dome, use of chhatris (small domed canopies, supported by pillars), tiers of airy pavilions, etc., reflect a local influence, which are also found in the buildings built by Akbar in Agra Fort and the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri

History : Akbar himself started the construction of the majestic monument though his son Jehangir completed it. Akbar had started the construction of the monument in the style started by his ancestor Timur. Though Jehangir did not like the style much and he designed the structure again. The drastic changes made at the design level of the monument made it to turn out well but at the same time it does not reveal the best balance between style and concept. Nearby is the tomb of mariam Zamani Jehangir's mother in red sandstone. The monument is enclosed in the gorgeous green gardens. You will come across this large walled garden on your way to Delhi. The entry to the monument is through a gigantic gateway called the Buland Darwaza. The gateway has been inspired by the gateway constructed in Fatehpur Sikri after the successful invasion of Gujarat by Akbar. The gateway of Sikandra has been beautifully done with huge mosaic patterns on it. The decoration has been done with the proper use of the white and the colored marbles. The mosaics follow the floral and geometrical styles. To add to the elegance of the structure the four minarets have been made in the wondrous white marble. These minarets on the spectacular gateway appear remarkable with the use of the white marble on the red sandstone. The calligraphy of the kind was done for the very first time is a perfect example of grandeur. Till date the splendor of the calligraphy may be felt. The tomb lies in the center of the garden that has been constructed following the char bagh style. It is noteworthy that even the architecture of Taj Mahal follows the char bagh style. You will reach the emperor's tomb a pyramidal structure after walking through the char baghs. There is an open terrace atop the tomb. The terrace is enclosed within huge panels of jail screens. It has a replica of the sarcophagus. The real tomb of the great emperor Akbar lies in the basement. The basement of the monument may be reached from a portico.

Discription : One can see the Baradi palace in the gardens built by Sikander Lodhi. The tomb building is shaped like a truncated pyramid and has five storeys while the main tomb has a distinct square design. There are spacious cloisters on the ground floor. An elaborately decorated vestibule occupies the centre of the southern side, highlighted by exquisite carvings, artistic paintings and inlay work in geometric and floral designs enshrining the tombstone of Akbar. Other tombs on this floor belong to Shakrul Nisha Begum and Aram Bano, the daughters of Akbar. The ornamental arch and square pillar on the second storey looks unique. The third and fourth storeys also have identical arrangement of arches supported on pillars and chhatris adorning the façades. All the storeys are built in red stone except the fifth one, which is entirely in white marble.

The Akbar's Tomb at Sikandra is a beautiful pyramidal shape bright red-tiered structure, with an open terrace covered with intricate latticework screens. An elegant gateway with beautiful calligraphic inscriptions and floral decoration leads you to charbagh style gardens, which then leads you to the tomb. The five-storeys Akbar's Tomb has red sandstone minarets with beautiful inlay work of marble on its four corners. All storeys have beautifully carved filigree screens, forming the outer wall of the verandah on all four sides. The intricately carved gateway, minarets and the walls of Akbar's Tomb showcase the architectural greatness of the period and never fail to impress the visitors. You too can visit this ornate edifice of the Mughal era on your visit to Agra with Hotels Agra India.

 Akbar's tomb is a medley of architectural styles, displaying more interest in experimentation than harmony of design. The sloping dripstones, finials surmounting all the domes, balcony windows and pierced screens are all indigenous Hindu elements of architecture. Based on the pillar and beam principle, the tomb is built like a wedding cake in tiers, using the carved columns and brackets typical of Hindu construction to create the openings on the upper levels. But the pointed arches surrounding the base are Islamic, as are the inlaid geometric designs around the archways.