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original plan of the building. This tomb is divided into
four square parts. This structure has a perfect blend of
Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist and Jain motifs. The
blending is much like Deen-e-Ilahi, a new religion
started by Akbar. Some of its design features are
similar to the design of the Taj Mahal built later in
Agra.
Architecture of the Akbar's Tomb
in Sikandra
The Akbar's tomb is in a pyramid shape and consist of
five storeys. The building is unique in its departure
from Islamic architectural tradition, for it has no
domed roof. The tomb is situated in the middle of a vast
forty acre garden with trees planted in the turf and is
protected by a wall with four monumental gates having
three-storey-minarets at the four corners. These
minarets are built in red sandstone with stunning inlay
work of marble. This tomb has a large arched entrance
and green lawns, on which deer can be seen grazing. The
entrance is decorated with marble inlay work around the
arch, and the inner surface of the dome of the tomb is
decorated with images of flowers, geometric designs and
Islamic calligraphy. This huge entrance leads to the
great garden enclosure. The walled garden enclosure is
laid out in the Char Bagh style with the mausoleum at
the center.
The entrance leads up to an open four-storeyed structure
with a white marble cenotaph at the top. Bold floral
mosaics made of marble or red sandstone appear on the
south gateways of Sikandra. They are nearly equivalent
in effect to Pietra Dura, though not identical. On the
top of the tomb is an open courtyard surrounded by a
marble screen enclosing the tomb itself. The five-storey
tomb can be approached by a broad paved entrance. The
main tomb has a unique square design which is
unparalleled by all other Mughal buildings. The ground
floor has spacious cloisters on all the four sides
except in the middle of the southern side. The cloisters
are divided by the numerous bays by massive piers and
arches. A vestibule, which has been ornamented very
profusely with exquisite carvings, artistic paintings
and inlay work in geometric and floral designs occupies
the centre of the southern side. The tombstone of Akbar
is placed in the middle of this room. The second storey
has an arcaded verandah on each side, which is composed
of 23 bays. The use of an ornamental arch and square
pillar has brought about a unique composition. The Third
and Fourth storeys are smaller in size than the ones
below it. They have an identical arrangement of arches
supported on pillars and chhatris attached on the
exterior to each facade. The fifth storey is entirely in
white marble as against the lower storeys, which are
finished in red stone. |
