Who does not know Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. The city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh is recognized as the most popular tourist destination in India and the world and has a historical imprint on the global map as the home of the Taj. When you come to the city, there is more than Taj here. The city is submerged by ancient monuments, pilgrimage sites, graves, carved architecture, huge gardens and beautiful landscapes that mark history. It is about 200 km from Delhi and about 240 km from Jaipur. There are remnants of uniquely interesting royal heritage from the Mughal era (before the Taj Mahal) that will captivate you. The city experiences a culinary scene adorning its fine arts and architecture, it is truly a place for history and architecture lovers.
Agra is a world famous city located on the banks of Yamuna River in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. But it was once known to be the capital of the Mughals. Over time, the city still stands as a hallmark of the royal heritage. Tourists come to the city and admire all the grand structures, of which the Taj Mahal occupies the first place. Which makes Agra one of the most loved tourist attractions of India.
Agra has three UNESCO certified World Heritage Sites including the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri in the city. Many grand buildings and tombs were constructed during the Mughal reign. The Taj Mahal, built on the banks of the Yamuna, should be seen either at sunset or at sunrise. At this time, this heritage gives its unique beauty.
Over the years, both Hindu and Muslim rulers ruled here with the passing time. Therefore, there is a confluence of two types of culture here. The city reflects Islam culture as well as Hindu culture in its cuisine. Agra Petha, Samosa, Kachori, Korma and Mughlai Biryani are some of the popular dishes. But you can also enjoy contemporary cuisine at a high level restaurant.
History of Agra
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| Photo Credit : Picryl |
India's glorious representative among the seven wonders of the world- Taj Mahal, Agra is a city known for its rich, historical and cultural heritage. The city is mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. It refers to Agrawan, which means the abode of the Aryans, it has also been generally accepted. Agra is an integral part of Braj Bhumi known for the land of Lord Krishna. Agra is ruled by mainly Muslim dynasties, but the city was founded by Raja Badal Singh in 1475 before Mughal rule over the Sultanate. The first Muslim ruler of Agra was Sultan Sikander Lodi who shifted his capital from Delhi to Agra in 1504. After the death of Sultan Sikandar, his son Sultan Ibrahim Lodi ruled, Sultan Ibrahim ruled his Sultanate from Agra until he fought and fell with the Mughal emperor Babbar in the first battle of Panipat in 1526. In 1526, the Mughal emperor Babur made Agra the capital.
The Golden Age of the city began with the Mughals. When Babur died in 1530, Babur's legacy was being carried forward by his ancestors, emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. The city was decorated with beautiful palaces and gardens of royalty by Jahangir, but the city exposed its true form and gained prominence during the reign of Shah Jahan. The Mughal rulers were very interested in construction. This is the reason that many excellent works can be seen in Agra. In that period, every king built grand tombs to better his ancestors. The first of these comes the name of Taj Mahal, which was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Today the Taj Mahal has become a symbol of love all over the world. Emperor Akbar renovated the Agra Fort and built Fatehpur Sikri on the outskirts of the city.
Even before the British rule came over India in 1803, after the decline of the Mughal Empire, the city came under the influence of the Marathas and changed the name of the city from Akbarabad to Agra.
Religion in Agra
When you come to visit Agra, you may have to be acquainted with people of many types of religion. Agra has a majority Hindu religion in the city with 80.68% followers. Islam is the second most popular religion in the city with around 17.03%. Apart from these, the city also has 1.04% Jain, 0.62% Sikh, 0.42% Christian and 0.19% Buddhist.
Places and attractions to see Mughal monument heritage in Agra
Taj Mahal : Who did not know Taj, who did not appreciate its beauty, who did not feel the story of its love. The Taj Mahal is a huge beautiful mausoleum made of white marble and semi-precious stones, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the final resting place for his beloved wife Mumtaz, who died while giving birth to a child. Taj Mahal means Crown Palace. Where was the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan at the time of the construction of the Taj Mahal to see its beauty "shed tears from the eyes of the sun and the moon". The Indian poet Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore described it in the words "teardrop on the cheek of eternity" while the English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, referred to it as " it was Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are,". The Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world, one of the finest masterpieces of Indian Muslim architecture, a monument of pride (a symbol of love) not only to Agra but to the whole of India.
For its construction, Emperor Shah Jahan invited skilled craftsmen from Italy, Persia and other countries to construct and design it, to help build the world's most beautiful monument. Its work started from 1631 and was completed in 1653, more than 20000 laborers have contributed to it. The memorial stands out as the love of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz.
Agra Fort : Agra Fort is a historic fort in the city of Agra in India, which matches the layout of the Red Fort in Delhi. It was built in 1565 AD by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. And it was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal dynasty until 1638 AD, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, about 2.5 km northwest of its more famous sister monument Taj Mahal.
Chini Ka Rauja : It is a funerary monument, containing the tomb of Afzal Khan Shirazi, a scholar and poet who was the Prime Minister of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in Agra, India. Which is also interpreted as Maula Shukrullah, Shirazi. This mausoleum was built in 1635, ornamented with a dome of blue glazed ceramic tiles. This tomb is known for its blue tiles, there is also the fact that these tiles were brought from China. It is just one kilometer away from the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula, situated on the eastern bank of the Yamuna river in Agra. Where it also goes that Chini-ka-Rauza is the first structure in India.
Fatehpur Sikri : Fatehpur Sikri is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Which is a city in Agra district of Uttar Pradesh, India. The city was established as the capital of the Mughal Empire in 1571 by Emperor Akbar playing this role from 1571 to 1585. While constructing this city, Akbar named it Fatehpur Sikri, which means the city of victory. The name of the city is derived from a village called Sikri. Red sandstone has been used in its construction, in which one of the largest mosques in India, a beautiful mosque and three palaces were built. This was different for his three favorite wives.
I'timād-Ud-Daulah Tomb : This mausoleum is referred to as "Baby Taj Mahal". Which is made of beautiful marble. It is dedicated to Queen Nur Jahan's father Mirza Ghiyas-ud-din Beg, who was the chief minister of Emperor Yahngir.
Mariyam's Tomb : This red sandstone mausoleum is a mausoleum built in memory of Maryam-uz-Zamani Begum, wife of the Mughal Emperor King Akbar. Mariam-uz-zamani Begum, also known as Hira Kunwari, Harka Bai or, most popularly, Jodha Bai. This Rajput Raj Kumari is the daughter of Raja Bharmal, who was married to Akbar. This mausoleum was built by Jahangir, son of Maryam. It is a striking structure of the Mughal dynasty and is worth a visit when you are in Agra.
Mehtab Bagh : Mehtab Bagh, which is also known as 'Moonlight Garden'. This beautiful garden is situated on the western bank of the Yamuna River "on the opposite bank of the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal" which is replete with gardens of the Taj Mahal. These gardens provide you a chance to see the beauty of the Taj by removing it from the crowd of tourists. Bagh is serene, serene and a beautiful place from which tourists like to see and photograph the marble wonder overlooking the Taj.
Ram Bagh : It is said to be the oldest garden in the country. This tiger was designed by the Mughal emperor Babur. It was later renovated by Babur's great-grandson Empress Nur Jahan. It is located 500 meters north of Chini's Rauja. It was one of the ancient persian styled Mugal gardens of Agra. This garden was well maintained for several centuries under the control of Mughal dynastyl until Marathas and then, British took over the garden.
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| Photo Credit : Koshy |
Sikandra : It is located only 13 km from Agra Fort, the last resting place of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Who is one of the Mughal emperors. It is made of red sandstone and marble which is dedicated to the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Which was intended to be built for himself, later built in 1613 by his son Jahangir. The location of this tomb was chosen by Emperor Akbar himself.
Shopping in Agra
Leather Products. Leather products in Agra are very special and famous because they are almost made of fine and genuine leather and It is famous for best-
Marble replicas,
Rugs and Carpets,
Jewelry,
Embroidery Textiles,
Silk Sarees or Textiles Handicrafts, and
Sweets.
How to reach Agra
By Road : Idgah Bus Stand, Taj Depot and Fort Depot are major bus stands in Agra. Which is connected by state and other roadways buses by road to many cities like Delhi, Noida, Kanpur, Jhansi, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) and Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh), Jaipur (Rajasthan). These include three national highways and two expressways from Agra. Buses are operated on these highways by many private companies, UPSRTC or other state road transport corporations. Through which Agra can be easily reached from other cities.
Best travel time to visit Agra
Month : October to March
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