Copyright 2005 -- Rachel Saunders
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Agra: Akbar's TombAgra is believed to have been founded on the site of an ancient Hindu Kingdom, but the city was destroyed by the Afghan king Mahmud of Ghazni in 1022. In 1501, Sultan Sikander Lodi established his capital here. Later, the city fell into Mughal hands in 1526 when Emperor Babur defeated the last Lodi sultan. --> Previous --> Next --> Home --> More Adventures --> India Index |
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The city of Agra reached its peak between the mid-16th century and mid-17th century under the reign of Akbar Jehangir and Shah Jahan. It was during this period that the fort, Taj Mahal and the major tombs of Agra were built. Above: Akbar's Mausoleum is a sandstone and marble tomb in the center of a peaceful garden of deer and monkeys. The construction blends islamic, hindu, buddhist, jain and christian motifs and styles. The gates to Akbar's tomb as seen above has three level minarets at each corner. Left: The corner of Akbar's tomb, a beautiful red against the blue sky. Below: Words from the Koran cut into the white marble of exterior of the tomb. |
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11th, 2004: Yesterday, I drove with my personal chauffeur to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal. It was about a 4 hour drive and on the way I stopped by the tomb of Akbar the great. He was this mughal ruler who built several forts and was said to be very wise. He was also the grandfather of the shah who built the Taj Mahal. I arrived at the tomb and was surprised to see about a hundred monkeys and black bucks roaming all over the beautifully manicured lawns. I, of course, took about a dozen photos and took some video of the monkey scrambling all over for the fruit of the trees. |
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Journal
Continued: Akbar's tomb was quite peaceful and very pretty. It is made of white marble and red carved sandstone. It isn't on the super tourist route so I guess I was one of the few visitors in a while. But this is the sort of flexibility that I have with my own driver. I can stop whenever I like. |
Above: A full view of Akbar's tomb. It was originally designed by Akbar himself, but the plans were altered considerably by his devout muslim son Jehangir. Right: Having just finished the overwhelming task of sweeping the stone patios of the tomb, a young man takes his straw broom over his shoulder to head out for the afternoon.
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Left: Contemplating life no doubt, two gentlemen sit outside of the tomb amongst the pleasant grounds. : |
| Right: A closeup of a baby monkey who resides full time on the verdant grounds of Akbar's tomb. Not a bad place to grow up... | 
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Left: The life of a Mausoleum monkey is hard. You have to pose for pictures, get hand outs and watch out for the deer! So difficult. |
| Right: Sometimes in the afternoon, the best place to hide from the sun is under the cooling sandstone and marble arches of Akbar's tomb. Here women and men relaxed and young lovers found some time alone to say those sweet nothings that they didn't usually get to say. --> Previous |
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