Architecture of India    
The Mughal Empire
Mosques and Tombs – I (Page 2)

Akbar’s Tomb, Sikandra

Sikandra is a sleepy little outpost on the outskirts of Agra, and its main claim to architectural fame is the presence of Akbar’s tomb. As was so often the case, it was built by his son Jahangir.

Akbar’s tomb, continuing the charbagh formula, is set in the midst of gardens with fountains and canals, and like Humayun’s tomb, is also raised on a superstructure. Here, however, the similarities lessen, because in plan and detail, Akbar’s tomb takes much from the indigenious Rajput and Gujarati traditions.

The pavillions inside are decorated with motifs ranging from elephants, swans, lotus, swastika and chakras, along with the more conservative arabesques and calligraphy.

Apart from these monuments, we may also enumerate several lesser known structures built during the same period. Among these are Jahangir’s tomb at Shahdara near Lahore which reflects the influence of Sikandra, Itmad-ud-Daula’s (Jahangir’s father-in-law) tomb at Agra, mosques at Tatta and Ajmer, the Begam Shahi Masjid of Akbar’s widow at Lahore, and the Patthar Masjid of Srinagar. This last is one of the few notable mosques built during Jahangir’s reign. The emperor Jahangir, for all his taste, was too wasted by alcohol and sensual pleasures to ever embark seriously on military or architectural campaigns.

The growing richness of the Mughal empire brought with it traders and merchants, who were eager to make a quick profit. India was at that time running a lucrative spice trade with foreign powers such as the Dutch, the Portuguese, the French and eventually the English. The Mughal court was close to its zenith, and seemed to have no equal or challenger.

But appearances are often deceptive, and as is the case with too much prosperity, decadence was about to set in. But not before the Mughals had built some of the most impressive monuments in the world. 

– Ashish Nangia
June 15, 2003

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