Barely 13 km away from the Agra Fort is situated the picturesque Sikandra Fort, Agra, India. This fort is the final resting grounds of the great Mughal Emperor Akbar. Akbar was well-known for being amongst the most secular of the Mughal rulers ever. The Mughal Empire was only blessed to have had Akbar as a ruler, with his keen patronage to the fields of science, arts, philosophy and literature. In many ways, a glance at the Sikandra Fort, Agra, India gives insight into Akbar's brilliance, as the Taj Mahal gives to Shah Jahan. Akbar only followed what was a steady tradition in Mughal India, when he planned out the design for his tomb. The construction of this colossal tomb was completed by his son, Jehangir.
The four gateways to this great tomb are all made of red sandstone. All of them lead to the mausoleum complex. The gateways are decorated with big mosaic patterns set into them. The gateways also had four minarets which are very significant. The architecture employed here makes use of a myriad set of architectural styles including Hindu, Muslim and Christian styles with Akbar's own blend of abstract architecture.
Akbar's tomb stands right in the center of this beautiful garden. Reminiscent of Mughal garden planning, this garden is divided into four equal parts. These divisions have been created using raised paths. Through the center of each of these paths flows a narrow water channel. The center of each of these raised paths have water fountains.
The main mausoleum of the complex has five five floors in the shape of a truncated pyramid. Akbar's tomb is on the ground floor itself. A unique square design which is not seen in other Mughal structures is seen at the main tomb. Akbar's tombstone is placed in the center of a room at the southern side. Here there is a vestibule. Akbar's tomb is in the mortuary chamber which is approachable from the vestibule via an inclined, descending passage. The tombstone is in the center of this room. The entire tomb is decorated with mosaics made out of glazed tiles or colored stones. Shakrul Nisha Begum and Aram Bano, two of Akbar's daughters are also entombed on the same floor.
An arcaded veranda possessing 23 bays is seen on the second storey of the tomb. The third and fourth storeys are smaller in size than the second storey. on the exterior of each facades on the these floors are attached chhatris. The fifth storey of the structure is made completely out of white marble.
The Sikandra Fort, Agra, India is a sight-seer's delight and is a great example of Mughal architecture.
Historical Monuments in Agra
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