Akbar's Mausoleum

Lonely Planet review

This outstanding sandstone and marble tomb commemorates the greatest of the Mughal emperors, Akbar the Great. Although thrust into power at the tender age of 13, he expanded the Mughal empire to cover most of northern India. The huge courtyard of his tomb is entered through a stunning gateway. It has three-storey minarets at each corner and is built of red sandstone strikingly inlaid with white-marble geometric patterns.

Akbar started the construction himself, blending various elements just as his religious and political philosophy did. A wise and just ruler, Akbar followed a policy of Sulh-i-Kul (Peace for All) and abolished many of the restrictions placed on infidels, including the very unpopular 'pilgrimage tax' on Hindus.