AGRA

One of the most important historic cities of India, Agra was the capital of medieval India for about 135 years. For the first time, Sultan Sikandar Lodi established his capital at Agra in 1501 and when Babur, the first Mughal Emperor of India, captured the throne in 1526, he chose to retain Agra as his capital. During Akbar's period, Agra emerged as India's most famous center of art, culture, learning and commerce. The trend continued for about a century and reached its zenith during the period of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan, who ultimately decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi in 1637. Now a sprawling industrial town, the city is famous for the world renowned Taj Mahal and other architectural masterpieces. Agra is also famous for precious and semi precious stones, marble products, brassware, leather items and a delicious sweet called 'petha'. About Agra

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal from all over the world.

Agra is known all over the world for the magnificent Taj Mahal -- one of the most beautiful masterpieces of architecture in the world. The symbol of eternal love, the Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal who died at a young age of 38. Situated on the bank of Yamuna River, the Taj Mahal represents a fine blend of Mughal, Persian, Central Asian, and Islamic architecture. The most impressive and remarkable features of the Taj Mahal are its four tall minarets (162.5 feet high) at four corners of the structure, the black and white chessboard marble floor and the majestic dome (213 feet high and 58 feet in diameter) in the middle. The uniformly encrypted Quranic verses all around the archways and the level of sophistication used in its overall decorations make everyone spell bound. The beauty of this magnificent structure can't be expressed in words. Started in 1631, the construction of the Taj Mahal took more than 20 years to complete.

Agra Fort

Another world heritage site in Agra. Agra's dominant structure, the Agra Fort (sometimes called the Red Fort), was built by Akbar in 1565. The red sandstone fort was renovated and converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time, and reworked extensively with marble and pietra dura inlay. Notable buildings in the fort include the Pearl Mosque, the Diwan-e-Am and Diwan-e-Khas (halls of public and private audience), Jehangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal (mirrored palace),

Fatehpur Sikri
The Mughal Emperor Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri about 35 km from Agra, and moved his capital there. Later abandoned, the site displays a number of buildings of significant historical importance. A World Heritage Site, it is often visited by tourists to Agra.


Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb
Empress Nur Jehan built Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb, sometimes called the Baby Taj, for her father, Ghias-ud-Din Beg, the Chief Minister of Emperor Jahangir. Small in comparison to many other Mughal-era tombs, it is sometimes described as a jewel box. Its garden layout and use of white marble, pietra dura, inlay designs and latticework presage many elements of the Taj Mahal.


Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid is a large mosque attributed to Shah Jahan's daughter, Princess Jahanara Begum, built in 1648, notable for its unusual dome and absence of minarets.


Chini Ka Rauza
Notable for its Persian influenced dome of blue glazed tiles, the Chini Ka Rauza is dedicated to the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan, Allama Afzel Khal Mullah Shukrullah of Shiraz.

 Ram Bagh
The oldest Mughal garden in India, the Ram Bagh was built by the Emperor Babur in 1528. It lies about 2.34 kms north of Taj Mahal.


Soami Bagh Samadh
The Soami Bagh Samadh is the mausoleum of Huzur Soamiji Maharaj (Shri Shiv Dayal Singh) in the Dayalbagh section in the outskirts of the city. He was the founder of the Radhasoami Faith and the Samadh is sacred to its followers. Construction began in 1908, and it is believed that construction will never end. It is often seen as the "next Taj Mahal". The carvings in stone, using a combination or coloured marble, is life-like and not seen anywhere else in India. The picture shown is taken from the backside and shows only two floors. When completed, the samadh will have a carved dome and a gateway.


Sikandra (Akbar's tomb)
Sikandra, the last resting place of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, is only 13 kilometres from the Agra Fort. Akbar's tomb reflects the completeness of his personality. The vast, beautifully carved, red-ochre sandstone tomb is set amidst a lush garden. Akbar himself planned his own tomb and selected a suitable site for it. To construct a tomb in one's lifetime was a Tartary custom which the Mughals followed religiously. Akbar's son Jahangir completed the construction of this pyramidal tomb in 1613.


Shopping In Agra

Agra offers a unique and exciting shopping experience to its visitors. Famous for its handicrafts and fine arts traditions, the city offers a rich variety of items ranging from amazing replicas of the Taj Mahal, matching in every detail with the real Taj, to leather, marble and brassware items. You can also shop for finely painted wooden goods, stone decorative, embroidered rugs and famous pethas (a kind of sweet made of pumpkin and sugar).


How to Reach


By Air: The nearest airport is Kheria, located at 7 km from the Agra city center. All the major domestic airlines operate between Agra and major cities of India.

By Rail: Agra well connected by trains and has small and big railway stations. Agra Cantonment is the main railway station and connected to almost all the major cities and towns of India. The world famous Palace on Wheels- the most luxurious trains of India has Agra on top of its itinerary.

By Road: Agra has a good network of roads. The national highway numbers 2, 3, and 11 pass through the city making it easily accessible by road. The city is well connected to Delhi (203 km), Jaipur (235 km) and other cities of India by road.