The greatest of the Mughal emperors, Akbar was quite right in
the head. His contributions to Agra city and the nation are par
excellence. Akbar during his life time planned and carried out many
important projects that covered broad institutions like arts,
literature, religion, architecture and statesmanship. Sikandra Fort
is one example that roughly gives an idea of the emperors foresight.
The tomb of Sikandra Fort was built by Akbar himself during his life
time. Emperor Jehangir, Akbar's son, continued the project which
ultimately led to the foundation of the Sikandra Fort complex.
Sikandra Fort is located in the western periphery of the city at a
distance of about 10 kms from the city center. The fort is provided
in a prodigal garden. The garden is enclosed within the walls in a
typical charbagh fashion. The garden houses water channels running
through it, fountains and paved causeways.
The tomb built in red sandstone and beautifully carved reflects the
persona of the great emperor. The tomb which stands as a graduated
pyramid has been built as a five storeyed structure. The main tomb
is square in shape and is unlike the rest of mughal buildings. The
tomb is beautified with inlay marble work and pattern work. The
structure has numerous bays and massive piers and arches.
Equally beautiful are the gateways of the fort. There are four
sandstone gates that lead to the complex and only southern gate
leads to the tomb. The gateways are decorated with elegant mosaic
works. There are four minarets at the corners of the gateways which
are also decorated in a similar fashion. The whole complex is a
favorite picnic spot that see visitors coming from all over the
places.
Mathura Road and Pandit Radharaman Satyavichitra Road connects the
area of Sikandra with the rest of the Agra city. The place can be
accessed by boarding a bus from Idgah Bus Stand.
The nearest railway station to Sikandra Fort is the Baluchpura
Railway Station and it is about 5 kms from the place.
Agra Airport lies to the south-east of Sikandra Fort and is about
13 kms far from it.
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