Sikandra

Tomb of Akbar

Akbar was a Mughal emperor who was also a great connoisseur of the arts. He had many works of archi- tecture constructed, all incorporating various styles into their designs. The emperor began construction on his tomb in Sikandra, near Agra, in 1605. The building was completed by his son, who finished the structure using designs and methods not originally intended, like leaving out a crowning dome. The tomb of Akbar is an arcuate structure built from red sandstone and white marble. On each of its four sides, the grand portals are inlayed with complex mosaics.