Sikandra is the place where Akbar is buried. Akbar was a
great and most successful emperor among all the Mughal kings.
Akbar was raised in the rugged country of Afghanistan rather
than amongst the splendor of the Delhi court. He spent his youth learning to
hunt, run, and fight and never found time to read or write. He was the only
great Mughal ruler who was illiterate. Despite this, he had a great desire for
knowledge. This led him not only to maintain an extensive library but also to
learn. Akbar had his books read out to him by his courtiers. Therefore, even
though unable to read, Akbar was as knowledgeable as the most learned of
scholars.
Akbar came to throne in 1556, after the death of his father,
Humayun. At that time, Akbar was only 13 years old. Akbar was the only Mughal
king to ascend to the throne without the customary war of succession; as his
brother Muhammad Hakim was too feeble to offer any resistance.
During the first five years of his rule, Akbar was assisted
and advised by Bahram Khan in running the affairs of the country. Bahram Khan
was, however, removed and for a few years Akbar ruled under the influence of
his nurse Maham Anga. After 1562, Akbar freed himself from external influences
and ruled supreme.
Akbar was a great patron of architecture, art, and
literature. His court was rich in culture as well as wealth. In fact, his court
was so splendid that the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth I, once even
sent out her ambassador, Sir Thomas Roe, to meet the king! Many of Akbar's
buildings still survive, including the Red Fort at Agra, and the city of
Fatehpur Sikri, near Agra, which has a 10-km long wall encircling it.
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