Mariam's Tomb

Mariam's Tomb is the mausoleum of Mariam-uz-Zamani, the wife of Emperor Akbar and mother of Jahangir, located in Sikandra beside the Delhi-Agra Road in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, about a kilometre from Akbar's Tomb. Jahangir built it in 1623 in memory of his mother, and the building shows a blend of Mughal and Rajput influences that reflect her heritage. The tomb is a square sandstone structure with a flat roof, small domed pavilions at the corners and a raised plinth, set in a modest garden. The exterior is plain compared with the grand Mughal tombs, but visitors can see carved sandstone details, a small central dome and arched openings. Inside, a vaulted chamber contains a cenotaph, and a staircase leads to the roof terrace. During the 19th century the building was used as a printing press and school by a missionary society, which altered some areas. The site is quiet and rarely crowded, and a visit takes about 30 minutes, long enough to walk around the plinth, look inside the chamber and photograph the facade. The best light for photography is early morning, when the sandstone glows and the courtyard is empty. It is easy to visit together with Akbar's Tomb and Gurudwara Guru ka Taal, either on foot along the highway service road or by a short auto-rickshaw ride. Facilities are minimal, so water should be brought. Traffic noise from the adjacent highway is noticeable, although the garden provides some shelter. Visitors interested in the lives of Mughal women will find it a useful counterpoint to the more famous tombs nearby.