Akbar's tomb
On the 26th of October 1605, Akbar died from dysentery after a brief illness. His son Jahangir immediately began planning a mausoleum to honor his father. The project required three or four years to complete between 1605 and 1613. Historical records state the construction cost reached 1,500,000 rupees. This massive expenditure funded materials and labor across 119 acres in Sikandra. Sikandra sits eight kilometers west-northwest of Agra city center on the Mathura road. The site was chosen for its proximity to Fatehpur Sikri, where Akbar once held court. Architects worked under direct supervision from the new emperor to ensure the structure reflected imperial power.
The south gate stands as the largest entry point with four white marble chhatri-topped minarets. These towers predate similar structures found later at the Taj Mahal. A walled enclosure measuring 105 meters square surrounds the main tomb building. Builders constructed the pyramid using deep red sandstone enriched with white marble features. Decorated panels display geometric, floral, and calligraphic patterns carved into black slate. Four gateways feature kiosks on their roofs inspired by the Buland Darwaza design. The first floor contains cloisters on all four sides with arches leading to a central hall. Inside this hall lies the false tombstone of Akbar alongside those of his daughters Shakr-un-Nissa Begum and Aram Banu Begum. The true grave rests below ground level within the basement chamber.
On the 28th of March 1688, Jats rose in rebellion under Raja Ram Jat during Aurangzeb's reign. This group ransacked Akbar's tomb and looted gold, jewels, silver, and carpets from the interior. They opened the grave and burned the late king's bones in an act of profound disrespect. A previous unsuccessful attempt occurred in 1685 before this successful raid took place. Mughal prestige suffered significantly after these events escalated conflict between the empire and the Jats. The destruction left the structure largely desecrated for centuries until restoration efforts began much later. Historical accounts describe how the rebellion targeted the heart of imperial authority through this specific location.
George Curzon directed extensive repairs and restoration of the mausoleum as Viceroy of India. His preservation project concluded in 1905 following passage of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act in 1904. Curzon described the work as "an offering of reverence to the past and a gift of recovered beauty to the future." He discussed restoring historical buildings in Agra while implementing new laws to protect them. Some observers believe this preservation effort discouraged veneration by local pilgrims and nearby residents. The colonial administration prioritized structural integrity over continued religious use of the site. These changes altered how people interacted with the monument during the early twentieth century.
Mariam-uz-Zamani laid a large garden around her husband's tomb after his death in 1605. She originally built an open baradari pleasure pavilion that dates back to 1495 AD under Sikander Lodi. After her own death in May 1623, Jahangir buried her near Akbar within the same complex. Her son converted the pavilion into a fine mausoleum for her final resting place. This makes Mariam-uz-Zamani the only wife of Akbar buried close to him. About one kilometer away from the main tomb stands her separate mausoleum structure. The entire grounds span 119 acres including these various architectural elements arranged across the landscape.
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Common questions
When did Akbar die and when was his tomb completed?
Akbar died on the 26th of October 1605 from dysentery. The construction of his mausoleum took three to four years between 1605 and 1613.
Where is Akbar's tomb located relative to Agra city center?
The site sits eight kilometers west-northwest of Agra city center on the Mathura road in Sikandra. This location was chosen for its proximity to Fatehpur Sikri where Akbar once held court.
What happened to Akbar's tomb during the Jat rebellion in 1688?
Jats rose in rebellion under Raja Ram Jat on the 28th of March 1688 and ransacked the interior of the tomb. They looted gold jewels silver and carpets before opening the grave and burning the late king's bones.
Who restored Akbar's tomb and when were repairs finished?
George Curzon directed extensive repairs as Viceroy of India after the passage of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act in 1904. His preservation project concluded in 1905 following a long period of structural neglect.
Which wife of Akbar is buried near him at the Sikandra complex?
Mariam-uz-Zamani is the only wife of Akbar buried close to him within the same complex. She died in May 1623 and her son Jahangir later converted an existing pavilion into a mausoleum for her final resting place.