Uttar Pradesh's Sikandra, located only a mile and a half outside Agra, is the final resting place of Mughal Emperor Akbar. One of the greatest of Mughal rulers, Akbar tried to bring all communities and religious groups together by proposing an all encompassing religious philosophy called 'Din-i- Ilahi' which looked for the common truth in all religions.

The construction of his tomb began during his lifetime at his behest, though his son Jehangir finished it later after his father's death. The entry to the tomb is through a stunning gateway which has three-story minarets at each corner and is made of red sandstone with marble inlay. The tomb itself has Islamic, Hindu, as well as Christian features. Outside the main gateway to Akbar’s tomb is the Kanch Mahal. Jehangir, Akbar's son, built it as a hunting lodge.  With rich stone carvings on the outside, its carved balconies and latticed windows add a delicate touch to the structure. Besides, blue and green ceramic tiles on its façade give it an elegant charm.

However, Sikandra is more than just Akbar's tomb. Nearby is the tomb of Mariam Zamani, his favourite wife. This tomb is seldom visited by the general tourist as it lies about a kilometre away, just off the main Delhi road. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) sign board bears a brief biography of Mariam's, a princess of Amber (Rajasthan) and a Hindu, who later became the mother of Jehangir, the next Mughal emperor. The grave lies in the basement much like that of Mumtaz Mahal at the Taj Mahal.

As you walk out of the compound of Mariam's tomb you see the Kos Minar, one of the ancient highway distance markers (like milestones) which were put up at regular intervals during the Mughal period along the highways.

On the road to Agra you come upon Suraj Bhan-ka-Bagh. It is a two-storey building with stone engravings. Since it is a privately owned property, it may be difficult to visit. Further on there is what looks like a new gurdwara. Behind it is an old water reservoir. This was where the Sikh Guru Teg Bahadur laid down arms in front of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. A few dilapidated old towers still remain.

One vestige of history still stands in the form of a red sandstone horse sitting forlornly in the middle of a traffic island. This was put there by a Mughal nobleman whose horse died at this spot in a battle. The traffic island of course is of recent vintage. Though Sikandra is dominated by Akbar's tomb, there is quite a bit of history tucked away, around it.

In fact, Sikandra is named after Sikander Lodi, a Sultan of the Delhi (1489-1517) who ruled before the Mughals came to power. He also left his mark in the form of the Baradi Palace in the Mausoleum gardens. Across the road from Akbar's tomb is the very aptly named Delhi Gate  for after all that is the gateway city from where most visitors come to visit Sikandra and then go on to see the famous Taj Mahal at Agra.

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