Agra,
the city of the Taj Mahal and once the capital of the Mughal empire, has several
monuments which display the splendour of Mughal architecture. It was here that
Babar, the founder of the dynasty, had the first formal Persian garden laid
out on the banks of the river Yamuna. Akbar, his grandson, raised the towering
ramparts of the great Red Fort, within whose walls Jahangir built rose-red palaces,
courts and gardens, and which Shahajahan embellished with marble mosques, palaces
and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble. Click Here For More Information...
Agra Fort
Agra Fort is located on the banks of the Yamuna near the railway station. Agra is well connected by air with Khajuraho, Varanasi, and Delhi. It has good rail and bus connections with major Indian cities. From the city, there are taxis, tempos, auto-rickshaws, and cycle rickshaws to carry one to the fort. Prepaid taxis and autos from the railway station are also available. Bicycles can also be hired on hourly basis.
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Sikandra Fort
Welcome to Sikandra, a supurb of Agra, only 13 km. from the Agra Fort, the last resting place of the Mughal emperor Akbar. Akbar was the greatest of the Mughal emperors and one of the most secular minded royalties of his time. He was the heir to a long tradition of oriental refinement, a great patron of the arts, literature, philosophy and science.
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Itmad-Ud-Daulah
The city of Agra is full of architectural wonders. On one hand, it has the famous Taj Mahal, and on the other hand, it has the Agra Fort and Itimad-ud-Daulah’s mausoleum. Itimad-ud-Daulah’s tomb is a highly ornate edifice, which is looked upon as an imminent precursor of the Taj Mahal as far as elaborate carvings and inlay work are concerned. The tomb marks a significant departure from the tombs of the Mughal dynasty built before its construction. ISLAMIC STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE The pure white and elaborately carved tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah conforms to the Islamic style of architecture.
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Fatehpur Sikri
The site is founded by Akbar the great, who at 26 years did not have a heir. He went to a saint, Shaikh Salim Chishti who lived in a city called Sikri. His blessing gave Akbar 3 sons. As a gesture, Akbar built a whole new city in Sikri. It was built between 1569 and 1585 and was intended to be the joint capital with Agra, but was soon deserted because the water system could not support the any residents. It remained untouched for over 400 years now and its palaces are a remainder of the extravagance of the Mughals.
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Jahangir Mahal
Undoubtedly, the most noteworthy building inside Agra Fort is the Jahangir Mahal (Jahangir's Palace), which was the principal zenana palace (palace for women belonging to the royal household), used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar. A splendid gateway leads to an interior courtyard surrounded by grand halls covered with profuse carvings on stone, heavily fashioned brackets, piers, and crossbeams. One can still spot remnants of decoration in gold and blue done in the prevalent Persian style.
Buland Darwaza
Buland Darwaza, the colossal triumphal arch, was built in 1575 on the southern wall of the courtyard. It celebrates Akbar's conquest of Gujarat. The towering portal has the height of 176 feet from ground level and 134 feet over the top step. The grand recessed central arch is the most magnificent of its kind in the entire range of Mughal architecture in India. Modest ornamentation with calligraphy contains a famous line: The world is but a bridge: Pass over but build no houses on it. The Buland Darwaza commands the landscape for miles.
 Agra
Travel GuideTravel Information of Agra ›› Places To See ›› Taj Mahal ›› Excursions of Agra ›› Shopping in Agra ›› How To Reach Agra ›› Cuisine of Agra |
