Mariam-uz-Zamani Tomb, Agra - Timings, History, Architecture, Best Time to Visit

About Mariam-uz-Zamani Tomb

At a distance of 1.5 Km from Akbar's Tomb, and 11 Km from Agra Cantonment Railway Station, the Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani is a mausoleum located to the west of Akbar's tomb in Sikandra, the outskirts of Agra. Situated on the left side of Agra-Mathura Road, this is the mausoleum of Mariam-uz-Zamani, commonly known as Jodha Bai, the Hindu consort of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. It is one of the must visit places as part of the Agra luxury packages.

History of Mariam-uz-Zamani Tomb

The tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani was constructed by Jahangir in honor of his mother, Jodha Bai, and is situated near Akbar's Tomb, in accordance with her final wishes. Mariam-uz-Zamani, originally a Rajput princess, was the eldest daughter of Raja Bharmal of Amer. She entered into matrimony with Emperor Akbar in 1562 CE and was bestowed with the title Mariam-uz-Zamani following the birth Jahangir, in 1569 CE. She passed away in 1623 and was buried adjacent to her husband. Her son, Jahangir, commissioned the construction of a tomb for her between 1623 and 1627 CE. The structure was originally a baradari under Sikander Lodi who built it in 1495 AD. Modifications and enhancements were carried out in 1623 AD when Jahangir transformed it into a tomb.

Architecture of Mariam-uz-Zamani Tomb

This square tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani is located at the heart of the Mughal garden. It is constructed on an elevated platform, featuring stairs on both its northern and southern sides. Two corridors, extending from east to west and from north to south, segment the structure into nine sections, which are further divided into smaller compartments. The tomb is made of brick and mortar, finished with stucco. The facades of the baradari are veneered with red sandstone, intricately cut into numerous panels and embellished with geometrical patterns carved in bas-relief. Each corner of the structure is enhanced with an ornamental octagonal tower, also constructed from red stone, complete with brackets and pillars. The domes of these towers are white, while their lower sections are red.

The mausoleum features three tombstones; the original is situated on the ground floor, while the middle and terrace stones are designed to resemble it. The ground floor comprises approximately forty chambers built by Sikander Lodi, which display faint traces of paintings on their plastered walls. At the center of the ground floor lies the original cenotaph of Empress Mariam-uz-Zamani. In addition to Empress Mariam-uz-Zamani, her granddaughter Bahar Banu Begum is also interred within the same mausoleum.

Dress Code & Other Restrictions of Mariam-uz-Zamani Tomb

Tomb of Mariam in Agra does not strictly enforce a dress code; however, it is advisable to dress modestly. It is best to avoid revealing or inappropriate clothing, and it is recommended to cover shoulders and knees, particularly when visiting the mausoleum itself. Visitors are encouraged to refrain from wearing modern attire such as mini-skirts, shorts, and sleeveless tops while at the tomb.

Mariam-uz-Zamani Tomb Timings

Monday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Tuesday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Wednesday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Thursday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Friday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Saturday: 6 AM - 6 PM
Sunday: 6 AM - 6 PM

Mariam-uz-Zamani Tomb Entry Fee

Entry: Rs. 25 for Indians, Rs. 25 for SAARC/BIMSTEC Nationals, & Rs. 300 for Foreigners

Best Time to Visit Mariam-uz-Zamani Tomb

The best time to visit Mariam-uz-Zamani Tomb is during the cooler months, specifically from November to February, when the climate is pleasant, and suitable for exploring the site. The monsoon season, which lasts from June to September, may bring intermittent rainfall, which might make travel less comfortable. The summer months can be excessively hot, with temperatures exceeding 40°C, rendering sightseeing uncomfortable; thus, it is recommended to avoid visiting Agra during this period.

How to Reach Mariam-uz-Zamani Tomb

Agra is well connected by air, train and road. The nearest airport to reach Agra is Kheria Airport, located at a distance of 9 Km from the city and is connected to Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Gorakhpur, Jabalpur, Rajkot and Jamnagar. The city has four major railway stations - Agra Cantonment, Raja Ki Mandi, Agra Fort and Idgah Agra Junction. It has trains from Mumbai, Delhi, Amritsar, Hyderabad, Vizag, Chennai, Indore, Jammu, Jabalpur, Pondicherry, Chandigarh, Kalka, Hubli, Goa, Haridwar, Bhopal, Howrah, Patna, Dehradun, Bangalore, Allahabad, Jaipur, Trivandrum and Lucknow. Agra can also be reached by road from Lucknow, Kanpur, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Gwalior, Noida, Dehradun, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Indore, Haridwar and Vrindavan. Tourists can reach Mariam-uz-Zamani Tomb by using electric buses, cabs, and auto rickshaws from all parts of the city of Agra.