Akbar started building his own mausoleum, near Agra, that was to be a wonderful fusion of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist and Jain designs depicting religious tolerance and secular views. Before he could complete it, he died. His son Jehangir completed his tomb, popularly known as Sikandra after Sikandra Lodi, who established the community where Akbar's Tomb is located. The tomb consists of three-storeyed red sandstone minarets showing marvellous inlay work of marble on the four corners of the building.
The Baradi palace in the gardens built by Sikander Lodhi is clearly visible. The tomb building has five storeys while the main tomb has a distinct square design. Other tombs belong to Shakrul Nisha Begum and Aram Bano, the daughters of Akbar. The ornamental arch and square pillar on the second storey looks spectacular and distinct. All the storeys are constructed in red stone except the fifth one. It is built in white marble. |