Akbar's Tomb Sikandra: Timings, History and Guide

Akbar's Tomb at Sikandra is one of Agra's most magnificent and peaceful monuments, the grand final resting place of Akbar the Great, the most celebrated and powerful of all the Mughal emperors. A striking, unusual red-sandstone mausoleum set in a vast walled garden where deer roam, it is a wonderful, far less-crowded complement to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. This guide from Delhi Agra Tour Packages covers its history, its distinctive architecture, gardens, timings and how to reach it, ideally as part of an Agra visit or a Golden Triangle tour.

I was born in Delhi and in more than 11 years guiding the Golden Triangle for Experience My India I have taken many visitors to this grand and tranquil tomb and the deer in the gardens always delight them. Here is the clear, practical guide.

Akbar's Tomb at a glance

What is Akbar's Tomb?

Akbar's Tomb is the magnificent mausoleum of the emperor Akbar the Great, the third and greatest of the Mughal emperors, at Sikandra, on the Agra to Delhi highway, about 10 to 12 km northwest of the Agra city centre. One of the finest Mughal monuments, it is a grand red-sandstone structure set in an enormous, walled Mughal garden.

Akbar, who ruled for nearly fifty years and built the empire to its height, is buried here and his tomb reflects his eclectic, tolerant spirit in its unusual architecture, which is quite unlike any other Mughal mausoleum. Peaceful, grand and beautifully set among wide lawns where blackbuck deer graze freely, it offers a quieter, more contemplative Mughal experience than the busier Taj Mahal and a fascinating glimpse into the age of the empire's greatest ruler. For many visitors it is a highlight precisely because it is so calm and uncrowded, letting you take in a great Mughal monument at your own unhurried pace.

The history of Akbar's Tomb

Akbar the Great ruled the Mughal empire from 1556 to 1605, a nearly fifty-year reign in which he vastly expanded the empire across much of the subcontinent, reformed its administration and revenue systems and became famous above all for his religious tolerance and his sincere efforts to bring together the many faiths and cultures of India, even founding his own syncretic faith, the Din-i-Ilahi. In keeping with the Mughal tradition of building one's own tomb during one's lifetime, Akbar himself began the construction of his grand mausoleum at Sikandra while he still reigned.

After Akbar's death in 1605, the tomb was completed by his son and successor, the emperor Jahangir, around 1613, who is said to have made some changes to the original design. The result is a monument that reflects Akbar's own inclusive, questioning philosophy and one of the great buildings of the Mughal age, ranking alongside the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort among the finest Mughal works around Agra. The place, Sikandra, takes its name from an earlier Delhi Sultanate ruler, Sikandar Lodi and the wider area holds other Mughal monuments too, including the tomb of Akbar's wife nearby, making it a historic corner of Agra well worth exploring.

The architecture of Akbar's Tomb

The architecture of Akbar's Tomb is striking and unusual, quite unlike the domed Mughal tombs that came before and after it:

• The main tomb: rather than a single great dome, the tomb is a grand, tiered, pyramid-like structure of several storeys in red sandstone, each level smaller than the one below like a stepped pyramid, topped by an open marble pavilion, a highly unusual design for a Mughal tomb, thought to reflect Akbar's eclectic tastes and his interest in many architectural traditions.

• The South Gate: the magnificent main gateway is a highlight in its own right, a towering red-sandstone gate richly decorated with intricate white marble inlay and colourful geometric and floral patterns and crowned with four elegant white marble minarets, a design said to have influenced the four minarets of the Taj Mahal a generation later.

• The blend of styles: the tomb and its decoration beautifully blend Hindu, Islamic, Christian, Buddhist and Jain motifs and elements, reflecting Akbar's famous spirit of religious tolerance and his genuine interest in all the faiths of his empire.

• The cenotaphs: a beautifully carved marble cenotaph stands in the open pavilion on the top tier, once inlaid with gold, while the actual grave of the emperor lies in a quiet, plain chamber deep below, reached by a sloping passage.

Together, these features make Akbar's Tomb one of the most distinctive original and interesting monuments in all of Agra and a fascinating study for anyone drawn to Mughal art and history and to the story of Akbar himself.

The gardens and the deer

One of the great charms of Akbar's Tomb is its enormous garden. Laid out as a classic Mughal charbagh or four-quadrant garden, with the tomb at its centre and raised causeways dividing it into quarters, the walled grounds are green, spacious and beautifully kept, with broad lawns, straight pathways and water channels, in the ordered, symmetrical style the Mughals loved.

Best of all, the gardens are home to wildlife: herds of graceful blackbuck deer, with their spiralled horns, roam freely across the lawns, along with monkeys and, often, peacocks. Seeing the deer grazing peacefully in the shadow of the grand red-sandstone tomb is a delightful and quite unexpected sight and it makes the whole complex feel wonderfully alive, natural and serene, a lovely place simply to wander slowly, watch the animals and enjoy the calm away from the city.

Akbar's Tomb timings and entry

The tomb is open through the day, every day and the entry fee is modest.

Akbar's Tomb is open every day of the week from sunrise to sunset, roughly 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The entry fee is 30 rupees for Indian, SAARC and BIMSTEC visitors and 310 rupees for other foreign nationals, with children under 15 entering free. Fees and timings can change, so reconfirm the current details before you visit. Allow about one to two hours to see the tomb, the magnificent gate and the gardens at a relaxed pace, a little longer if you want to linger and watch the deer.

What to see and do at Akbar's Tomb

There is plenty to enjoy across the tomb complex:

• Admire the South Gate: take in the magnificent main gateway, with its marble inlay, colourful patterns and four minarets, a grand introduction to the complex.

• Explore the tomb: wander the unusual tiered mausoleum, admiring its red sandstone, its blend of styles and the beautifully carved cenotaph.

• Pay respects below: descend to the quiet chamber where the emperor's grave lies, a solemn, atmospheric space.

• Stroll the gardens: walk the classic charbagh garden, its lawns and pathways and watch the blackbuck deer graze.

• Photography: the grand tiered architecture, the red sandstone and white marble inlay, the ornate South Gate and the deer grazing on the green lawns make the complex wonderfully photogenic from every angle.

It is an easy, rewarding sight to explore in an hour or two and a peaceful, uncrowded contrast to Agra's busier attractions, all the more rewarding for those who take a little time to understand its history and its unusual design.

Why visit Akbar's Tomb?

Akbar's Tomb offers a magnificent, historic and refreshingly peaceful Mughal experience, the grand resting place of the empire's greatest ruler, in beautiful architecture and lovely gardens. It tells the story of Akbar himself, a remarkable emperor whose tolerance and vision shaped India and its unusual design and syncretic style make it fascinating for anyone interested in Mughal history and art.

For visitors, it is a wonderful, quieter complement to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, far less crowded and beautifully calm, with the added delight of the deer roaming the gardens. Conveniently located right on the Agra to Delhi road, it is easy to visit on the way in or out of Agra or as part of a fuller Agra day and it is a real highlight for those who want to go beyond the Taj and see more of the Mughal world and a rewarding lesson in the reign of Akbar himself.

How to reach Akbar's Tomb

Akbar's Tomb is at Sikandra, on the Agra to Delhi highway, NH-19, about 10 to 12 km northwest of the Agra city centre and it is easy to reach:

• By car or taxi: the easiest way, a short drive of around 20 to 30 minutes from central Agra and convenient as a stop when arriving from or leaving towards Delhi.

• By auto-rickshaw: autos and app cabs reach Sikandra easily from anywhere in Agra.

• From the station: it is about 9.5 km from Agra Cantonment Railway Station, an easy taxi or auto ride and city buses also serve the route.

Because it sits right on the Agra to Delhi road, it makes a perfect first or last stop on a trip between the two cities, easily worked into your journey without any detour, so you can see a great Mughal monument as you arrive in or leave Agra.

Best time to visit Akbar's Tomb

The best time to visit Akbar's Tomb is October to March, when Agra's weather is pleasant for exploring the tomb and its gardens and the grounds are at their greenest, with the blackbuck deer roaming the clear, open lawns. Within the day, the morning or the late afternoon are loveliest, with softer light on the red sandstone and cooler temperatures.

Summers, from April to June, are very hot, so visit early in the morning or towards evening and carry water. Whenever you go, allow about one to two hours to enjoy the tomb, the gardens and the wildlife at a relaxed pace.

What is near Akbar's Tomb?

Akbar's Tomb combines beautifully with Agra's other great sights:

• The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh: the essential Agra monuments, with the finest Taj view from the garden covered in our Mehtab Bagh Agra guide and the city's highlights in our things to do in Agra guide.

• Fatehpur Sikri: Akbar's magnificent abandoned capital is an easy day trip, covered in our places to visit in Fatehpur Sikri guide, a wonderful pairing with his tomb.

• More Agra sights: the city and its surroundings offer much more, covered in our tourist places near Agra and hidden places to visit in Agra guides.

On a short Agra trip or a full Golden Triangle, Akbar's Tomb fits in beautifully.

Travel tips for Akbar's Tomb

• Visit in the morning or late afternoon for the best light and cooler weather.

• Allow about one to two hours to see the tomb and gardens.

• Watch for the blackbuck deer, monkeys and peacocks in the gardens.

• It sits on the Agra to Delhi road, so it is a great stop arriving or leaving.

• Carry water, especially in the warmer months and wear comfortable shoes.

• Combine it with the Taj, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri for a fuller Agra trip.

Want Akbar's Tomb planned into your Agra visit or Golden Triangle trip, with the transport and a guide sorted? Message us on WhatsApp and Experience My India will build it for you.

Plan your trip with us

Agra has far more than the Taj and we love weaving in its other great monuments, Akbar's Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri and more, alongside the headline sights, with a licensed guide to bring the Mughal story alive and the transport sorted, so your Agra time is rich and relaxed.

Tell us your dates and group size and we will price it honestly around your standard rather than a fixed figure. See the Taj at its most beautiful on our Sunrise Taj tour or enjoy Agra at a relaxed pace with our Agra overnight tour, with Akbar's Tomb easily added. We can build it all within our wider Delhi Agra Tour Packages.

Related guides

• Places to eat in Agra: the best food areas and restaurants.

• Golden Triangle tours: the classic Delhi, Agra and Jaipur circuit.

• New Delhi tour: the capital's imperial landmarks.

• Old Delhi tour: the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk.

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