History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v2.c31.s3.41

v2.c31.s3.41

Perhaps, however, the most characteristic of Akbar's buildings is the tomb he commenced to erect for himself at Sikandara, about 5 miles north-west from Agra, which is quite unlike any other tomb built in India either before or since, and of a design borrowed, as I believe, from a Hindû, or more correctly, Buddhist, model. It was completed in 1613, and is said to have been twenty years in building. It stands in an extensive garden, approached by one noble gateway. In the centre of this garden, on a raised platform, stands the tomb itself, of a pyramidal form. The lower storey measures 320 ft. each way, exclusive of the angle towers. It is 30 ft. in height, and pierced by ten great arches on each face, and with a larger entrance adorned with a mosaic of marble in the centre (Woodcuts Nos. 427, 428).¹