Mariam uz Zamani Tomb Agra

Mariam-uz-Zamani Tomb Agra is the mausoleum of Jodha Bai, the Hindu consort of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, located on the left side of Agra-Mathura road, to the west of Akbar's tomb in Sikandra. The tomb was built by Jahangir in memory of his mother Mariam-uz-Zamani and was located near Akbar's Tomb as per the last wish expressed by her. The structure was originally a baradari under Sikander Lodi who built it in AD 1495. It was later modified into Mughals tomb by reconstructing the 4 facades of the building in Mughal style.

The ground floor consists of around forty chambers built by Sikander Lodi, which bear faint traces of paintings on plastered walls. The centre of the ground floor houses the original cenotaph of Jodha. One can visit the crypt using red sandstone stairs. It was constructed with three tomb stones, the original one is in the ground floor, the middle and terrace stones are design to resemble the same.

This square tomb stands in the centre of the Mughal garden. It is built on a raised platform with stairs on its northern and southern sides. The two corridors running from east to west and from north to south divide the structure into nine sections that are further subdivided into smaller compartments. The tomb is built of brick and mortar, and finished with stucco. The facades of the baradari had been veneered with red sandstone, which is cut into numerous panels and adorned with geometrical patterns carved in bas-relief. Each corner of the structure is added with an ornamental octagonal tower. This is also made up of red stone along with brackets and pillars. The domes of the towers are white and the lower part of the towers is red.

History of Mariam’s Tomb
Akbar married a princess of Rajput for political reasons. For several years, the feud between Rajputs and Mughals were at peak and to end the war in a peaceful note, an inter-caste marriage took place between Akbar and Jodha Bai of Amer in 16th century. Akbar had a special interest in Jodha Bai and allowed her to follow her religion. However, he renamed her as Mariam-Uz-Zamani, after the birth of their first child. Jodha Bai is of immense importance because she gave birth to Akbar’s first son, Jehangir, his successor to Mughal throne. She died in 1623 and her son, Jehangir built this tomb in 1627. The tomb lies very closer to the tomb of Akbar. It is the closest tomb of wives of Akbar’s to his tomb.