Sikandra, Akbar’s Tomb

sikandra agra

Sikandra

Sikandra, a suburb of Agra, is known for the tomb of Akbar the Great.

sikandra agra akbar tomb
View from the entrance

This outstanding sandstone and marble tomb commemorates the greatest of the Mughal emperors. The huge courtyard is entered through a stunning gateway. It has three-storey minarets at each corner and is built of red sandstone strikingly inlaid with white-marble geometric patterns. The mausoleum is at sikandra, 10Km NW of Agra Fort. Construction of this aesthetic monument was planned and started by Akbar himself. But Akbar died before his mausoleum could be completed and his son Jahangir completed it.

sikandra agra akbar tomb
Intricate work inside the Mausoleum

It was built between 1605 and 1613.

sikandra agra akbar tomb
Intricate work inside the Mausoleum

Lord Curzon commissioned skilled workers to design a beautiful brass lamp fashioned after a model which hung in a Cairo mosque.

sikandra agra akbar tomb
Lord Cuzon’s lamp

The custodian, makes ‘Allah O Akbaaarrrr’ echo around the chamber. It’s quite an experience to hear it echo.

sikandra agra akbar tomb
Akbar’s Tomb

sikandra agra akbar tomb
Inside the mausoleum

The walls are designed to carry sounds through the chambers.

sikandra agra akbar tomb
Savi at the ‘Phone Booth’

sikandra agra akbar tomb
Internal Corridors

The mausoleum is surrounded by a beautiful garden, providing a tranquil ambience to the last abode of this great ruler. The British had introduced a few antelopes into this enclosure. This herd has thrived in this enclosure and now there are probably about 50-60 of them along with a few peacocks.

sikandra agra akbar tomb
Antelopes

sikandara agra akbar tomb
Antelope

sikandara agra akbar tomb
Antelopes

sikandara agra akbar tomb
Squirrel

sikandra agra akbar tomb
Antelopes

Delhi to Agra by Road

Distance between Delhi and Agra: 130 Miles / 210 Kms
Time taken : 2 to 3 hours

Delhi to Agra Trains

Morning:

  • 12002 Bhopal Shatabdi
  • 2280 Taj Express Superfast

Afternoon:

  • 2279 Taj Express
  • 12001 NDLS Shatabdi

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