FINAL-JOURNEYS_Copy-of-1-The-Mausoleum-of-Akbar-the-Great (10)

Final Journeys with The Explorist an old man's final wishes March 2023 Mohammed Tariq Ansari with Arthur Needham Part I: The Mausoleum of Akbar the GreatFINAL JOURNEYS Published by: The Explorist With: Arthur Needham Delhi, India Music played by ARMO. Available in full .wav download https://artandarmo.com/musicIntroduction NOTES There comes a time in life when you must consider the wild extravagance of journeys must end. Be it through illness or old age or a combination of both, reality bites. Co-author and researcher Tariq has provided on his travels a series of photographs from some of the best sites in India. Enjoy the journey with Needham's music. As true Explorists we look a little deeper, adventure a little further and question a little more. Come join us as an Explorist. THE MAUSOLEUM OF AKBAR An interesting train journey down from Delhi early in the morning brings us to Agra. Perhaps to see the Taj Mahal but there are many other delights in this city. The great mausoleum of Akbar shows a developing Mughal style of architecture combining some elements of the sub-continent style with those of Persian nature. Thankfully when we take transport to the suburb of Sikandra on the outskirts of Agra things are a little less rushed. We can take our time to stroll and rest. The real Explorist has time for all and everything. Photography: Mohammed Tariq Ansari Text: Arthur Needham Narration: Arthur Needham Music: Arthur Needham and ARMO 1. THOUGHTS ON THE JOURNEY. March 2023THE MUSIC NOTES For each magazine Arthur Needham has composed and presented a series of tone poems. These represent the personal feelings of Needham at the time of viewing the photographs taken by Tariq as presented. So how I think at the time of viewing dictates the music as I transform it from thought to reality. The photography is real and for Explorists. It is not a tourist type shoot. An Explorist ventures a little more, delves a little deeper and appraises things with an open mind. Hiking boots rather than joggers. Click on the button on the relevant pages and the music will play. take a little time to listen. The Music for the Mausoleum of Akbar 1. THOUGHTS ON THE JOURNEY: 2.30 Thinking and planning the trip. 2. FAST TRAIN TO AGRA: 2:18 Rising early and taking the fast train from Delhi. 3. AUTO RIDE TO THE TOMB: 2.42 A simple autorickshaw ride. Hoping for a quiet journey. 4. THE FIRST PROSPECT: 2.08 The first sighting of the structure. It's only the gate. 5. EXCITEMENT AT THE GATE: 0.19 The joy at seeing the mausoleum itself. 6. ALONG THE PATH 2:47 Walking from the gate to the mausoleum admiring the wonderful structure. 7: REVERENCE 1:11 Standing in the darkness that engulfs the real tomb. 8: CENOTAPHS Walking slowly around the mausoleum, gazing. 9: THE FUNKY SQUIRREL 2:58 At first sleeping, then hopping everywhere. 10. RESTING IN THE SHADE 1:04 Resting on the wide verandah, contemplating. 11: ELATED ON THE WAY HOME: 1:23 Thoughts of the wonderful day as homeward bound we travel.THE MAUSOLEUM OF AKBAR THE GREAT March 2023AKBAR I (THE GREAT) A A kbar was born in 949 AH (1542 CE) at Umarkot Fort in modern Sind, Pakistan. He ascended the throne in 963 AH (1556 CE) after the untimely death of his father, Humayun. He ruled until 1014 AH (1605 CE) THE RULE OF AKBAR His reign started at the tender age of 14. His father's untimely death shortly after regaining the empire from the Suri interregnum placed a great burden on young Akbar. However, a keen mind and astute guidance during the younger years brought forth one of the greatest and richest empires the world has ever known. He expanded the empire by superior war craft. The economy became a world powerhouse At the end of his magnificant reign the empire covered most of modern Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. At the heart of the empire lay an effective government organisation that efficiently collected taxes and government charges, ran the empire proficiently at all levels and had an army that was fit for purpose. The youngster grew into an all powerful ruler with a governance style that equalled the best seen at any time in the world. Riches in art, poetry, writing, architecture, dance and history that remain today illustrate the magnificence that was Akbar's empire. 2. FAST TRAIN TO AGRATHE MAUSOLEUM W e, The Explorists, have travelled down from Delhi on the fast train to Agra. Perhaps to view the Taj Mahal and forgot that it is Friday and as a masjid the whole site is closed. Perhaps we have come just to see this magnificence. From the station we have taken an autorickshaw to the site. THE ARCHITECTURE The great mausoleum is located at Sikandra (Bihishtabad) and that is approximately 12 kms from Agra itself. The building was planned before Akbar's death and had, perhaps, as a guide the wonderful tomb of Humayun in Delhi (see a later magazine). The main gateway has the Indian style Chhatri on the roof and also contains minarets. The great mausoleum itself represents a meld of Persian and Indian styles. It is built out of the wonderful red sandstone with white marble facing that is beautifully carved. Wonderful geometric inserts are on the walls. The flooring inside the main building is a further wonder in itself. We see a transformation in architecture within India as the Mughals established their power and their wealth was fundamentally uncountable in gold, silver, gemstones, pearls and any other measure by which wealth was calculated. Enjoy the privilege of wandering through one of the great pieces of world architecture. 3. AUTO RIDE TO THE TOMB March 2023The impressive gate is seen as we walk from the parking area to the entrance. We are confronted by one of the most important pieces of Mughal architecture in all of the subcontinent. But what we see is not the mausoleum but merely the south gate. 4. THE FIRST PROSPECT March 2023