“Agra” a city of Taj situated at banks of the river Yamuna. Agra is situated at the northern state of Uttar Pradesh (UP), India and is well-known to the world for tourist spots. However, the city of Taj is sited at 200 kilometres south from India capital “New Delhi” and 363 kilometres west of state capital “Lucknow”. Agra is also known as the most crowded city in Uttar Pradesh, though its population also gathers the 19th place in India’s most populous states.
Agra is having a big historical background as in the epic period of Mahabharata, this place was known as Agrevaṇa. It was the border of the forest founded by King Badal Singh in 1475. Fort known as “Badalgarh” stood next to the site of the present Red Fort of Agra. Visitors can find ample of details about this famous tourist place of India as many ancient poets described about this place in their poems. Sultan Sikandar Lodi was the ruler of Delhi in 1506, and he was the first king to move the capital of India from Delhi to Agra in the same year. Mughal emperors captured Agra in 1526 after beating the Sultan in Battle of Panipat. That was the golden period of Mughal when they started defeating many other rules of different states. Agra became the capital of the Mughal emperors during 1526 to 1658.
Jahangir Mahal, Red Fort
Today Agra is become the main tourist spot of India and people from abroad are regularly visiting to this place. The reason behind such popularity is historical design of various monuments in Agra. The Taj Mahal is the most splendid building of Mughal period. Some more spots like Red Fort and Fatehpur Sikri are also main attractions.
Taj Mahal: It is one of the popular buildings built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Taj is also one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Its construction was completed in 1653. It is completely built of white marble which makes it different than other monuments of world. It took approx 22 years to get finished and around 20,000 workers and labours worked to build Taj.
Agra Fort: It is also known as Red Fort constructed by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565. This fort is having great place in Agra’s World Heritage Sites. This fort was converted into palace during Shah Jahan’s ruling period. Diwan-e-Am (halls of public) and Diwan-e-Khas (hall of private audience), Jahangir’s Palace, Shish Mahal (mirrored palace), Khas Mahal and Musamman Burj are some good spots situated inside the fort.
Fatehpur Sikri: Akbar the great Emperor of Mughal built Fatehpur Sikri at good distance of 35 km from Agra. He moved his capital from to this place. Due to shortage of water and other problems Akbar again moved to Agra and turned it as capital. Buland Darwaza (lofty gateway) is the attraction point in this fort. This gateway was built by Akbar in 1601.
Fateh Pur Sikri
I’timad-Ud-Daulah: The Empress Nur Jahan got this I’timād-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb constructed which is also known as ‘Baby Tāj’. She got it build for her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Beg was the Chief Minister of the Emperor Jahangir. This tomb is again placed on the left bank of the Yamuna River.
Akbar’s Tomb, Sikandra: Sikandra is the last resting place of the Akbar the great Mughal Emperor. This tomb is placed on the Delhi-Agra Highway and it is just 13 kilometres away from the Agra Fort. According to sources Akbar himself designed his own tomb and selected appropriate site for it.
Swami Bagh Samadhi: It is the monument to hold the ashes of Huzur Swamiji (Shri Shiv Dayal Singh). This Samadhi is again situated at outskirts of the city. Swami ji was the founder of the Radhaswami Faith. However, this place is still under construction but most of the part is ready for visitors.
Mankameshwar Temple: This temple is one of four oldest temples devoted to Lord Shiva. It is situated on the four corners of Agra City near Jama Masjid. It is just 2.5 km away from the Taj Mahal. This temple is completely surrounded by the market.
Indrabhan Girls’ Inter College: This college is known as the birth place of great poet Mirza Ghalib. The location of this college is near the Mankameshwar Temple.
Guru ki Tal: it was initially a lake meant to collect and preserve rainwater. In 1970 a gurdwara was constructed at this place named as Guru Ki Tal. It is a holy place of worship for the Sikhs dharam.
Jama Masjid: it is a large mosque of Shah Jahan’s daughter, Princess Jahanara Begum. This Masjid was constructed in 1648 with good amount of 5 Lakhs.
Ram Bagh: it is the oldest Mughal garden in India which was built by the Emperor Babar in 1528. This garden is situated at bank of the Yamuna River. The major concern for creating this garden was the pavilions of garden that are constructed to blow the cool wind from Yamuna towards the palace of Babar. The real name of this garden was Aram Bagh (Garden of Relaxation).
There are many other places for visitors such as Mehtab Bagh, Mariam’s Tomb etc. Tourist can enjoy the great architecture of Mughal emperors and can make their moment special.