Agra, a city in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, some 200 km from the Indian capital city of New Delhi, is famous as being home to Taj Mahal one of the seven wonders of the world. Perhaps no other historical monument has evoked as much awareness and admiration from tourists and travellers alike, as the magnificent Taj Mahal fondly called by people as the ultimate requiem of love, from a great Mughal Emperor to his beloved. There are three UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort in the city and Fatehpur Sikri nearby.

The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid remainder of the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries. Agra is an old city and it is said that its name was derived from Agrabana, a forest that finds mention in the epic Mahabharata. In more recent times Agra came into prominence when Sikandar Lodhi made it his capital city in 1501. The Lodi rule was to end very soon and Agra passed into the possession of the Mughals. It was during the time of the third emperor Akbar that Agra came into its own. He embarked on the construction of the massive Agra Fort in 1565. Though Akbar was diverted into building a new capital at Fatehpur Sikri not far away.

Much of the city's impressive past lives in evidence even today, in the hunting presence inside the monuments, the majesty of the buildings, the exquisite arts and crafts and not to forget, the lure of an exceptional cuisine… all, cherished as priceless legacies of a nostalgic past.

Agra has many shops selling various stones products, from jewellery to small boxes and plaques with inlay work resembling that on the Taj. The best of these are wonderful, and even the runofthemill ones are rather pretty. Agra is also famous for it leather Shoes and other leather goods and there are few very good manufacturers all round the city.

The Agra Fort The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1565, A.D. although additions were made till the time of his grandson Shah Jehan. The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise. There are a number of exquisite buildings like Moti Masjid a white marble mosque akin to a perfect pearl; DiwanI Am, DiwanIKhaas, Musamman Burj where Shah Jehan died in 1666 A.D. Jahangir's Palace; Khaas Mahal and Shish Mahal.
Open : Sunrise to sunset.

Chini Ka Rauza This was constructed by Afzal Khan a high official in the court of Shah Jehan. Decorated by glazed tiles on the façade, the structure clearly depicts the Persian influence in architecture.
Open : Sunrise to sunset.

Ram Bagh One of the earliest Mughal gardens, it was laid out by Emperor Babar the founder of the Mughal dynasty. It is said that Babar was temporarily buried here before being permanently interred at Kabul in Afghanistan.
Open : Sunrise to sunset.

Sikandra The mausoleum of Emperor Akbar represents his philosophy and secular outlook, combining the best of Hindu and Muslim architectures in a superlative fusion. Completed in 1613 A.D., it is a wellpreserved monument.
Open : Sunrise to senset.

Itmaduddaulah This exquisite marble tomb was got constructed by Emperor Jehangir's queen, Nurjahan, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg during 1622 1628 A.D. The craftsmanship at ItmadudDaulah foreshadows that of the Taj Mahal. It was here that 'Pietra Dura' the inlay work on marble so characteristic of the Taj was first used.
Open : Sunrise to sunset. Entry Fee Rs. 10.50

Mariyam's Tomb This unique tomb in red sandstone was built in 1611 A.D. in memory of Emperor Akbar's GoanChristian wife Mariyam. The tomb has some exceptional carvings.
Open : Sunrise to sunset.

Jama Masjid This building, with a rectangular open forecourt was constructed in 1648 AD by Shah Jehan's daughter, Jehanara Begum in memory of the famous Sheikh Salim Chishti and his grandson Islam Khan. Of particular importance is its wonderful assimilation of Iranian architecture.

Radha Saomi Samadhi, Dayalbagh The headquarters of the Radha Saomi sect. On the sprawling lawns here, is a beautiful marble temple under construction for almost 100 years now.
Open : 8.am to 7 pm.


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