Agra City Information
Agra is a great historical city, said to have been the next important city after Mathura in ancient times. The city was built on the West Bank of the River Yamuna by Badal Singh dating back to 1475 CE. Agra became an important city only after the Lodhi king Sikander Lodhi set up his capital in this ancient city. Later the Mughal ruler Babar took over the Agra and set the base for the establishment of the Mughal rule. It was during the Mughal rule, especially under Babar, Akbar, Jehangir, and Shah Jahan that Agra, in North India, located on the West Bank of Yamuna, developed as a great center of architecture, art, and Mughal culture. Several forts, buildings, and tombs were constructed during the 16th century, which was the peak period of Mughal glory in Agra, India. The city of Agra located in North India is one of the oldest cities in the country that is known for being home to the Taj Mahal, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. We find the mention of this great city as 'Agraban' in one of the oldest epics of India, Mahabharata.
Agra is one of the most visited places in India and a great city to explore in all seasons. Monuments like the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri are the prime attractions of Agra. These all three are listed as UNESCO world heritage sites. These monuments are a sheer example of the legacy of Mughal architecture and art. Taj Mahal is one of the prominent specimens of Mughal architecture in Agra, which is a must-visit during Agra Travel. Apart from Taj Mahal, the tomb of Itmad - Ud - Daulah, Sikandra, which is the Mughal ruler Akbar's tomb and the 'abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri' and the Agra Fort are also worth visiting sights on Agra holidays.
Taj Mahal in Agra
The Taj symbolizes the undying love of an emperor for his beloved and most favorite wife, often called as epitome of love or symbol of love. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built this lovely dream in white marble as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, later he was also buried alongside his wife in the same tomb. It took 20,000 workers to complete this monument in 22 years. The white marble blocks used for the construction of this great monument was carted down from Makrana in Rajasthan, India. The intricate inlay work with precious and semi-precious stones that were done on the walls of the Taj Mahal is one of the finest specimens of Mughal architecture in India. This monument was designed and constructed under the supervision of the famous Mughal architect Ustad Isa.Another prominent monument in Agra is the Mughal ruler Akbar's tomb, Sikandra. Sikandra is located at a distance of 3 kilometers from the main Agra city. Akbar ascended the throne at the age of 13. He started building this tomb during his lifetime and his successor and son Jehangir completed this monument after he passed away. The architecture of the tomb at Sikandra is similar to that of the Taj Mahal that was constructed later. This tomb is built in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style and is an interesting place to visit during your tours. The tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daulah is another one of the important tourist destinations in Agra. This tomb was personally designed by Itmad-Ud-Daulah in the Charbagh architectural style. The inlay work and intricate patterns on the walls of the tomb have a common theme depicting a wine flask with snakes for handles. There are several tombs inside this complex that belong to the other members of the family.
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