Tomb of akbar the great

4.4

Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

Estimated Visiting Time: 1 hour

The Mughal emperor, Akbar the great’s tomb was built in 1605–1613 by his son Jahangir and the tomb is located in a sub of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 119 acres of grounds in Sikandra. In the suburbs of Agra, it is located at Sikandra, on the Mathura road, 8 km west-northwest of the city center. His favorite and most influential wife, the Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani, lies about 1 km away from the tomb.

Attraction

From a deep red sandstone, the buildings are constructed mainly which are enriched with features in white marble. The tomb and the main gatehouse are decorated with inlaid panels of these materials and a black slate. Later incorporated in Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb, panel designs are calligraphic, prefigure, geometric, floral, and more complex and subtle designs.

History

Beautiful architecture in Tomb of Akbar the Great.

Akbar‘s son, Jahangir planned and completed the construction of his father’s tomb, after his death, in 1605–1613. To build the construction cost 1,500,000 rupees and took 3 or 4 years to complete. Jats rose in rebellion under the leadership of Raja Ram Jat, during the reign of Aurangzeb. When Jats ransacked Akbar’s tomb, Mughal prestige suffered a blow plundering and looting the gold, jewels, silver, and carpets. The late king’s bones were burned after the grave was opened. George Curzon directed extensive repairs and restoration of Akbar’s mausoleum, as Viceroy of India, which were completed in 1905. With the passage of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act in 1904, Curzon discussed the restoration of the mausoleum and other historical buildings in Agra in connection, when he elaborated the project as “an offering of reverence to the past and a gift of recovered beauty to the future”. By pilgrims and people living nearby, this preservation project may have discouraged the veneration of the mausoleum.

Inside/Outside Views

Entry gate of the tomb of Akbar the Great in Agra on overcast day.

With four white marble chhatri-topped minarets, the south gate is the largest, which is similar to those of the Taj Mahal and is the normal point of entry to the tomb. By a walled enclosure 105 m square, the tomb itself is surrounded. Surmounted by a marble pavilion containing the false tomb, the tomb building is a four-tiered pyramid. As in other mausoleums, the true tomb is in the basement.

Opening Hours

24 hours a day.

Entry & Others Fees

INR 30 is needed to pay for Indian nationals and
INR 310 is needed to pay for foreigners.

Near Restaurants

Shiv Family Rastaurant ( Pure Vegetarian )
K. K. Bar And Restaurant
Dadda g restaurant
Indian Flavours The Taste
Ram Babu Parathe Wale
Milan Bar & Restaurant
The Sky Restaurant & family Roof Top
Peppers Cafe & Kitchen
Pind Balluchi – Best non-veg Restaurant in Agra
The MasterChef Restaurant

Near Hotels

Agra Guest House
Hotel Premanil
OYO 30701 Four Seasons
Hotel The K S Royal
Hotel Marwari
Hotel Gathbandhan & Banquet Hall
Hotel Jodhaa The Great
OYO 15485 Hotel Vaishnavi Heritage Inn
Hotel Sheela
Hotel Raj Bed and Breakfast

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport to the tomb is Agra Airport which is about 8.2 km away. Other nearby airports include Gwalior 99.7 km and Delhi 180 km.

By Train: On the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai route Agra is situated and is well connected to most cities across India. The tomb is a short distance away from Agra Cantt railway station. One can hire a pre-paid taxi, auto rickshaw, or even a cycle rickshaw to reach the tomb.

By Road: Agra has two major interstate bus terminals, one is called Idgah Bus Stand, which is located right in the center of the city and is about 8 kilometers from the tomb, and another one ISBT which is located at a distance of 12 kilometers from the tomb.