Agra

The ancient city of Agra reestablished by Mughal Empire in the 16th and 17th century, is one of the best example of great architectural magnificence. An unparalleled travel destination, Taj Mahal in Agra is a testimony of the undying love of a Mughal Emperor for his queen.

Agra is situated on western banks of the River Yamuna and is approximately 200 kms from Delhi

According to the Hindu epic “Mahabharata” – it was earlier referred to as ‘Agraban’, which was the part of Brij Bhoomi, the famous homeland of Lord Krishna.

Agra flourished under Mughals and attained full glory when Babur captured it in 1526. Emperor Akbar, Babur’s son, built the Agra Fort in 1565. The city started to develop around the Agra Fort. Thus, Agra is also known as the quintessential Mughal City.

Agra itself is a benchmark on the world tourism arena offering many other beautiful sites besides the Taj Mahal. one of the Seven Wonders of the modern world. The other must-do fascinating monuments include The Agra Fort, Moti Masjid and innumerable other attractions make the city feature on every traveler’s must-do-sightseeing list.

Bill Clinton on his visit to Agra had said – “The world is divided into two: those who have seen the Taj and those who have not”.

 

Places to see

Taj Mahal

The city of Agra houses Taj Mahal which is one of the most famous monuments in the world. It is the mausoleum of Shah Jahan's favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal and is a World Heritage Site. Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal king Shāh Jahān as the final resting place for his beloved wife, Mumtāz Mahal. Shāh Jahān was placed to rest next to his beloved queen in the same mausoleum after his untimely demise. In a dimly lit chamber, under the dome, below the ground level, the mortal remains of Shahjahan and his beloved queen Mumtaz have been placed reminding the world of their true love.

Made of white marble and undoubtedly India's most fascinating and beautiful monument, Taj Mahal is symmetrical in shape. Set amidst landscaped gardens on the bank of the Yamuna River, it took approximately 22 years (1630–1652) of hard labor and 20,000 workers, masons and jewelers to complete the building.

Over the ages, Taj Mahal has been a delight for viewers. On clear full moon nights, the Taj is bathed in the off-white moonlight and is at its spectacular best. In the radiance of dawn, it is also a delight to view Taj Mahal in the orange glow of sunset.

An inspiration for poetic verse, influence for painters, inspiration of imagination for writers and expressing emotions from wonder to ecstasy, one will always be thrilled to visit this symbol of sublime experience of the undying greatest love story ever told showcasing flawless beauty. That is what wonder of timeless beauty of Taj Mahal is.

 

Agra Fort

Rising on the banks of the river Yamuna, the crescent like Agra Fort, built of red sandstone within a radius of 3 kilometers is also an important site of Agra. The Fort has extensive designs of inlay work with marble and pietra dura.

A World Heritage Site, a stone tablet at the gate of the Fort states that it had been built before 1000 and was later renovated by Mughal Emperor Akbar. Agra Fort is known as the seat of power for Mughals and is surrounded by a 70 feet high wall.

Enclosed by a double barricaded wall of red sand stone, the fort has four gates. Remains of very few buildings exist within the fort now.

An impressive gateway links to the most significant building in the fort. Jahangir Mahal is an impressive structure and its inner courtyard consists of beautiful halls, profuse carvings on stone, exquisitely carved heavy brackets, piers and cross beams. It is a multi storied building and was built by Akbar for his wife Jodha Bai.

One can have a glimpse of the beauty of Taj Mahal visible from one side of the fort. Ironically, Shahjahan could gaze at the Taj Mahal at a distance, from a cell in the Agra Fort when he was prisoned by his son Aurangzeb in his old age.

Fatehpur Sikri

Situated 37 kms from Agra on the way to Jaipur, stands Fatehpur Sikri. Such a great example of a Mughal city at the height of the empire’s splendor, Fatehpur sikri is a well preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site. This place has got a big historical significance and houses some big beautiful buildings, is often visited by tourists. The city was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar and moved his capital to this place.

The majestic fort and palace of Fatehpur Sikri was later abandoned by Mughal Emperor Akbar due to shortage of water and Agra Fort became his headquarters then.

The wonderful walled buildings at Fatehpur Sikri are made of red sandstone with a combination of Hindu and Mughal architecture.

A famous the mausoleum of the Sufi fakir, Sheikh Saleem Chisti is also a big attraction in Fatehpur Sikri. The Sufi saint is said to have granted Akbar and his Hindu queen Jodhabai their wish for a son. The main entrance of Fatehpur Sikri is called Buland Darwaza. At a height of 175 feet, it is the highest gateway in world. Another attraction in the city is “The Panch Mahal” which is a five-storey tower and is situated on the highest point of Fatehpur Sikri on the foothills. This magnificent palace was used by one of the queen.

 

I'timād-Ud-Daulah

The city of Agra hast an amazing variety with architectural heritage of sight-seeing to offer for tourists. Built by a daughter for her father, the beautiful monument of I'timād-Ud-Daulah is also “Baby Taj”.

The Empress Nur Jahan built I'timād-Ud-Daulah's Tomb in the memory of her father, Mirzā Ghiyās Beg who was the Chief Minister of the Emperor Jahāngīr.

To show the feminine quality, the enchanted building is made up of warm yellow marble highlighted with white and black marble inlay. It is ornamented with pietra dura inlay and lattice work marble screens.

One can also visit the cenotaph of Nurjahan's mother, Asmat Begum. Mirza Ghiyas belonged to the Persian Family and his beautiful daughter, Nurjahan later became emperor Jehangir’s wife. Incidently, Mumtaz mahal was the daughter of the Nurjahan's brother Asaf Khan

Itmad-ud-daulah means the pillar of state and the title was given to Mirza Ghiyas by emperor Jehangir. The building having a big influence of Mughal architecture, is situated on the left bank of the Yamuna river and to the north of Agra fort. The garden and the walled architecture was laid out by Mirza Ghiyas himself six years before his death which was later used in the construction of the tomb.

So, do not miss to visit the tomb on your trip to Agra.

 

Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra

Situated on Delhi – Agra Highway and 13 kms from the Agra city, Sikandra Tomb is the last resting place of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.

Completed in 1613 by Mughal Emperor, Jahāngīr, the site for the pyramidal tomb was selected by Akbar himself.

Surrounded by lush green gardens, a big compound and enclosed by high walls on all sides, the red-ochre sandstone tomb is a reflection of arts, literature, philosophy and science of that period. As has always been with Mughal buildings, the garden has been divided into four equal quarters on the traditional Charbag style. A high terrace always separates the quarters and the terraces have a tank with fountains in the center.

It was s a custom to build a tomb in one’s lifetime and was religiously followed by all the Mughal emperors. The display of names of the Gods of ninety-nine religious sects shows the completeness of Akbar's personality. The Southern Gate is the only option to enter the Tomb.

 

Chini ka Rauza

Dedicated to the famous poet Mulla Shukrullah Shirazi, with a pen name of 'Allami' and also the Prime Minister, of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the building is influenced by Persian architecture. Due to the variegated schemes of colors used for decoration, is popularly known as Chini ka Rauza.

Lacking with architectural ornamentation, the monument was built in 1639 and originally had high walls with two gateways in north & south direction. Now survives the partly damaged main Tomb building