AGRA

Agra
is known, to the world as the city of Taj Mahal. Agra has its roots, dating
back to the time of Mahabaratha. Agra is situated on the west-bank of River
Yamuna, 204 km south of Delhi. The old part of the town, north of the fort,
is where the main market place is. The modern township is on the south. Agra
has a magnificent fort and many other monuments from the Mughul era, not to
mention the Taj Mahal, which are major attractions to the tourists.
Taj Mahal Even as the world is caught in the skirmishes of War &
peace, Nuclear and Non-Nuclear; Taj has stood as the epitome of love. This
extravagant monument of love is one of the most visited and most
photographed places in the world. Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in the
memory of his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal was the culmination
point of Indo-Persian architecture. The Mughals Emperor were always fond of
constructing monuments. Perhaps they knew that they would be gone but these
structures will remind the world of their grandeur.
Agra Red Fort Agra which lies on the west bank of
river Jamuna became one of the principal cities of the Mughal Empire after
the death of Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat in 1526. When Akbar choose Agra as his
capital he laid the foundation of the Fort of Agra. After Taj this was one
of the most important group of buildings. The construction was started in
1565 and was completed in about eight years at a cost of thirty five lakh of
rupees under the superintendence of Qasim Khan Mir Barr-u-Bahr. This fort
was just one of the many large fortified residences that the emperor wanted
to have at various strategic points of his empire. According to contemporary
chroniclers like Abul Fazal the fort contained over five hundred buildings.
But later on Akbar's descendants added new buildings, mainly in marble to
the fort and demolished the old ones.
Fatehpur Sikri 37 kms from Agra is built a city predominantly in Red
Sandstone called Fatehpur Sikri. This town was built by the Mughal Emperor
Akbar. He had planned this city as his capital but shortage of water
compelled him to abandon the city and within 20 years the capital of Mughals
was shifted to Lahore. Fatehpur Sikri was built during 1571 and 1585. The
city is a fine example of culmination of Mughal and Hindu architecture. Any
visitor to Agra must have a go at Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri mosque was
said to be built in lines of the holy mosque in Mecca. Entrance to the
mosque is through the Buland Darwaza that is 54m high.
Dayal Bagh Temple 15-kms from Agra, Dayal Bagh, also known as
Soamibagh, houses the samadhi of the founder of Radha Swami faith, 'Swamiji
Maharaj'. The main structure is a majestic building, 110-feet in height,
built of pure white marble. The belief here is that construction work should
never end, making it into a living monument, hence it is under construction
for almost 100 years.
Akbar's Mausoleum, Sikandra Four kilometer from Agra is the
mausoleum of Akbar. Construction of this beautiful monument was started by
Akbar himself . This structure has a perfect blending of Hindu, Christian ,
Islamic, Buddhist, Jain motifs.
Jama Masjid Or Jami Masjid Built by Shah Jahan in 1648, the main
gate of this mosque has inscription written on it that it was built by
Jahanara Begum. She was the favorite daughter of Shah Jahan and was
imprisoned with him. The absence of minarets and the shape of the dome give
sit a distinguished character.
Ram Bagh When Babur came to India he laid the first Mughal gardens
500 m North of the Chini Ka Rauza. This well laid gardens are not even a
fraction of what they used to be. It will need lots of imagination to
picture how these gardens must have looked in 1558.
