Sikandra

If there is a mausoleum that can overshadow the Taj Mahal in terms of the sheer diversity of the construction, it has to be Akbar's tomb in Sikandra. There are huge fortress walls on the outside, imperial red sandstone at the entrance, exquisite dados and frescoes inside, and a serene view of the white marble adorning the upper cenotaph. The calligraphy here is also considered the first imperial project of Amanat Khan Shirazi, who later went on to supervise the calligraphy at the Taj Mahal. While the original tombstone is lost in time, the cenotaph on the fifth floor has remained untouched, The roofless top floor of the complex embraces all weather in its purest form. The cenotaph contains 99 names of God along with intricate floral patterns. A stone stand in front of the cenotaph is said to hold either a lamp or the Kohinoor diamond. The tomb is built in a typical Charabgh pattern with aquifers for water, as the Yamuna is far from the site. Sarai(s) (Inns) were built at the entrance of the north and south gates, which are now lost. The remains of the northern sarai are still visible thou