Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra

The marble pavilion hosts the fake tomb and the real tomb is situated inside the basement of the monument. It is surrounded by walkways on all sides but there is no walkway on the center of southern gate main entrance. There are arcades and arches along side the walkways that make them into bays. The following three storeys are square in shape with kiosks on their side. The second storey has marble roof and gets into the shape of a pyramid. The final top part are Chhatri – shaped crown cupolas.

Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra

Akbar's tomb at Sikandra is an excellent example of assimilation of different styles of architecture and it represents a significant departure from the earlier Mughal buildings. The tomb carries the characteristic flavor of the airy tiered pavilions of the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.

South Gate

The south gate is the largest, with four white marble chhatri-topped minarets which are similar to (and pre-date) those of the Taj Mahal, and is the normal point of entry to the tomb.

The Magnificent artwork on the gate

This magnificent gateway is covered with floral and geometrical arabesque decoration in white and colored marble is crowned with four elegant minarets in white marble. The calligraphic decoration, first of its kind, is simply grand. The gateway is a stately composition. Its high central arch is flanked by others, which are small and simple. The grandeur of this gateway renders it the most magnificent gateway to any monument in the country

Artwork on the wall

The magnificent entrance, use of exquisite patterns, excellent jali work (intricately perforated decorative stone screens), fine Persian style calligraphy, the charbagh garden layout (four-quartered garden layout, with the main building at the center), etc., are representative of Islamic influence.

Islamic style of architecture

Intricately perforated decorative stone screens

Magnificent artwork in the Gate

The main construction material used for the building structure is deep red sandstone mixed with marble. The inlay panels are done with black slate at the main gatehouse and across the monument. There are designs, calligraphy, floral patterns, and geometrical designs found on the panel inlays.

Dome inside the tomb

Inside one of the small rooms at the back of the "gate." The ceiling here was clearly once extensively painted, though the paint has since mostly faded away.

Ornamentation

A brightly painted chamber in the tomb, just inside the entrance to the building. Through the door is a corridor leading to Akbar's burial chamber. You can just see his grave under the light.

Ornamentation

Ornamentation

Closer on some of the decorations on the wall.

Ornamentation

Sgraffito decorations on the inside of the arches of the southern gateway. Sgraffito is a process where two different colored layers are applied to a surface, and then patterns are scratched out of the upper layer, exposing the lower. The very intricate decorations here contrast sharply with the inlaid stonework on the outside of the building.

Ornamentation

Ornamentation

The buildings of the akbari period are remarkable for their animation but few are so vibrant in their character such as the Akbor's tomb

The crumbling north "gate" of the tomb complex

The crumbling north "gate" of the tomb complex. Of the three false gates, this one is the largest, though also the most ruinous

Some spectacular designs on the wall

The flowers and designs on the gate are not paintings, but inlaid stones.

Lamp over Akbar's grave

Akbar's Grave, Rest in Peace