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The flower of the Mughal empire-in-ascendance, Agra, is also home to the
immortal epitome of love, the Taj Mahal. Though Agra, located in Uttar Pradesh
in northern India retained Mughal regal favour for just three generations, it
was embellished with the best of the Mughal dynasty's architectural legacy. The
over 300-years-old Taj Mahal, however, is its most compulsive feature and
attracts the largest number of tourists from all over the world. Also within the
city's ambit lies Fatehpur Sikri, virtually an expression of the philosophy and
creed of the liberal Mughal emperor Akbar the Great. In keeping with its status
of the most sought-after destination, Agra today boasts of world class hotels
with excellent facilities and services. The city is also easily accessible from
Delhi and other major cities of India.
A pleasant town with comparatively slow pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay
work on marble and soastone by craftsman who are descendant of those who worked
under the Mughals. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread
embroidery and leather shoes.
Agra was once the capital of the Mughal empire and even today it seems to linger
in the past . Not surprising , for the Mughal emperors with their passion for
building, endowed the city with some of the finest structures in the world . It
is very easy to slip away here through the centuries into the grandeur and
intrigues of the Mughal court .
Sikandra, Agra Travel AgentsAgra 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 Lodi 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. Agra
continued to retain its importance and Shah Jehan, Akbar's garndson ornamented
the city with that masterpiece of Mughal architecture - the Taj Mahal and built
several other beautiful buildings within the Agra fort .
Attraction in Agra
A Tour of Agra is a must for any visitor, for it is the site of the beautiful
Taj Mahal and so much more… Step into a page from history when you come to Agra.
Some of the places to visit in Agra are:
The Taj Mahal :
A poet once described this enchanting monument as "A teardrop of love, frozen in
marble on the cheek of Eternity." Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, in
memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (Exalted one of the Palace), after her
death in 1631, this exquisite tomb is recognized the world over for its
aesthetic perfection and is considered a symbol of eternal love.
Situated near the banks of the River Yamuna, in Agra, this white marble
mausoleum is set like a jewel amidst the serene ambience of a formal garden. Its
green lawns and waterways lead to a raised platform on which the tomb rests.Taj
Mahal The refined elegance of the artistic pietra dura work of inlaid designs on
the marble walls, the large onion-shaped dome and its surrounding symmetrical
minarets represents the pinnacle of Islamic architecture in India.
Agra Fort :
This imposing fort built by Akbar, and added to by Shah Jahan is a veritable
treasure trove of the Mughal architectural tradition. The various buildings
within this sprawling fort complex represent the assimilation of Hindu and
Muslim cultures, resulting in the Indo-Saracenic school of architecture, which
was the hallmark of the Mughal period. The fort contains halls of public and
private audience and formal parks and gardens.
Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb :
Built by Noor Jahan for a relative, Itmad-ud-Daulah's tomb is a highly ornate
edifice, which is looked upon as an imminent precursor of the Taj Mahal as far
as the elaborate carvings and pietra dura inlay work are concerned. The tomb
marks a significant departure from the tombs of the Mughal dynasty built
earlier, because this tomb follows the central Asian pattern of a domed
structure, set in a formal garden, with waterways and paths laid out in a
geometrical pattern. This is the design followed later in the construction of
the Taj Mahal.
Sikandra in Agra :
Akbar's tomb at Sikandra is an excellent example of assimilation of different
styles of architecture and it represents a significant departure from the
earlier Mughal buildings. The tomb carries the characteristic flavor of the airy
tiered pavilions of the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Set in a quiet locale, the
tomb has gardens on all sides where grazing deer can be seen. Watch out for
monkeys that live in the trees nearby.
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