Sikandra

It wasn't before long that I reached Sikandra, the burial place of the third great Murghal Emperor. Jayant said I needn't go in, so I didn't have plans to. But when I stepped out of the car, the tour guides had other plans.

It was my first experience at a tourist spot. I soon learnt that at every site, there are very willing tour guides (some better than others) who would be happy to approach you just as you have your first foot of the car. They will tell you you'd need a guide an say they are good. They will tell you that the area you'd be visiting is big and you will not understand what you see if you don't hire them. While this is all happening, another two or three men will come up to you, offering to sell souvenirs, postcards and other kinds of memorabilia. They were really a persuasive and entreprenuerial lot.

The guide that approached me when I reached Sikandra was cunning. He claimed he was from the same company - Blow Horn Travel - and he was asked to show me around. I was surprised since Jayant gave me strict instructions that I was just to view the outside, and not go in. I asked Lakhbir to clarify the situation, and the two men exchanged words in Hindi. After that, I was left to roam on my own for 20 minutes.

From the exterior, I took these photos of the tomb. Another grand architecture...