Sikandra by Koshyk

Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra in the outskirts of Agra, the Imperial Capital of The Mughals during his time is a unique and imposing structure. It occupies 119 acres of land adjacent to the settlement of Sikander Lodhi, Sultan of Delhi after whom the place is known. The actual tomb is housed in a five storied mausoleum building surrounded by fort-like walls with four gates, but the Southern gate facing the Grant Trunk Road is the main entrance to the complex. Following the Mongol tradition, Akbar selected the site for his own grave, designed it and initiated construction a few years before his death in 1605. However, the construction was completed by his son Emperor Jehangir in 16013. This image shows the elegant and artistic Southern Gateway of Sikandra. Akbar has tried to incorporate Hindu, Muslim and even Christian elements in the design of his own tomb, signifying his well known religious tolerance. Consequently, Islamic calligraphy and verses from The Quran, which had characterized Islamic architecture from Qutub Minar to Humayun’s tomb and the Taj Mahal are replaced by floral patterns and geometric designs. The two storied red sand stone structure is decorated tastefully with white, black and yellow stone inlay and arabesque work and stucco. The four marble minarets with chhatris on the top at four corners of the gateway seem to have inspired the designers of Taj Mahal.