 Introduction:
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.
Agra is an old city and it is said that its name
was derived from Agrabana, a forest thats finds
mention in the epic Mahabharta. 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
Sikari not far away, Agra continued to retain
its importance and Shah Jehan, Akbar's grandson
ornamented the city with that masterpiece of Mughal
architecture -the Taj Mahal and built several
other beautiful buildings within the Agra Fort.
Sightseeing:
Agra Fort (Agra)
Construction of the massive red sandstone Agra
Fort on the bank of the Yamuna River was begun
by Emperor Akbar in 1565, though additions were
made up until the rule of his grandson, Shah Jahan.
In Akbar's time the fort was principally a military
structure, but during Shah Jaha regin it had partially
become Palace. It is an imposing strcture with
walls of red sandstone almost three kilometers
long. Entered through the Amar Singh Gate, the
eastern part of the fort contain palace, audience
hall and mosques built by three emperors. The
fort presents a good sampling of their favoured
architectural styles. Akbar drew on Islamic and
Hindu traditions and the result is eclectic. By
Shah Jahan's time the style had become so homogenized
that it is impossible to seprate the Hindu and
Muslim strands. The Diwan-i-Am (public audience
hall), the beautiful Diwan-i-Khas (private audience
hall) and the magnificent Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque)
were also added by Shah Jahan.
Taj Mahal (Agra)
Described as the most extravagant monument ever
built for love, it was constructed by Mughal emperor
Shah Jahan as a memorial to his queen Mumtaz Mahal,
made out of white marble took 22 years to complete
(1630-1652 AD). Ustad Ahamad Lahori, a Persian
Architect, is said to be the main designer and
planner for this magnificent memorial. On full
moon nights, the glory of the Taj is at its best.
Legend has it that once the construction was completed,
Shah Jehan had Lahori's hands cut off and his
eyes gouged out, so he would never be able to
duplicate the structure. Over the centuries, the
Taj has attracted more visitors than perhaps any
other Monuments in the country, and it is all
too easy resort to conventional superlatives when
describing it. What makes the Taj Unique is its
perfect proportions, distinct femininity, medium
of construction and ornamentation. Its marble
exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise
and sunset, while it is dazzling white during
the day and glowes pearl-like in the moonlight
and during the monsoon. Standing on a high plinth,
the Taj Mahal is visible for miles around and
forms a backdrop to mustard fields and mud-walled
villages. It can be seen from guestrooms at some
of Agra's hotels, as well as from the landscaped
gardens to the west of the complex.
Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb (Agra)
This tomb belongs to the father of Nur Jahan,
Ghias-ud-Din Beg. He was the Wajir or the Chief
Minister of Emperor Jehangir. This white marble
tomb was built by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628.
The tomb may not be as mammoth as the Taj but
the inlay designs and carvings are no less than
Taj if not more. The delicate marble latticework
in the passages allows the light to enter the
interiors. A similar tomb was built by Nur Jahan
for Jehangir in Lahore. This tomb was the first
complete marble Moghul structure.
Jami Masjid (Agra)
Across the railway tracks from the Delhi Gate
of Agra Fort, the Jami Masjid was built by Shah
Jahan in 1648. An inscription over the main gate
indicates that it was built in the name of Jahanara,
Shah Jahan's daughter, who was eventually imprisoned
with Shah Jahan by Aurangzeb.
Chini Ka Rauza (Agra)
It is the only building in India to be decorated
exclusively with glazed tile work. The tiny mausoleum
overlooking the River Yamuna was the tomb of Afzal
Khan, a minister in the court of Shah Jahan.
Rambagh (Agra)
Previously known as Araambagh, is the probably
amongst one of the first Mughal monuments of India.
Built by Emperor Babar in 1526 for his recreation,
its architecture shows Afghani influences.
Jahangir Mahal (Agra)
The biggest private residence in the Fort is the
Jahangir Mahal, the Palace of Emperor Jahangir.
It is an excellent blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture.
The palace has a hall which is called Jodhabai's
dressing Room. Jodhabai was Jahangir's Hindu mother.
Its desigen and layout is essentially Hindu. Later
the palace was used by Jahangir's Dressing Room.
Jodhabai was Jahangir's Hindu mother. Its design
and layout is essentially Hindu. Later the palace
was used by Jahangir's queen Noorjahan, the Light
of the World. Jahangir was very found of wine
as well as his queen whom he adored even more.
The love of wine interfered in the day do day
running of the Government. To help him out in
administering imperial justice, Noorjahan sat
with her husband to advise him in taking decisions.
She was an iron lady and never tolerated opposition.
Those who came in her way ended mysteriously in
the yamuna river.
Chisti's Tomb (Agra)
The Gateway buildings leads to the Friday mosque
or the Jami Masjid.
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