About Agra

Agra is globally renown as the city of the Taj Mahal But this royal Mughal city has, in addition to the legendary Taj, many monuments that emphasis the high point of Mughal architecture. Once the capital of India under the Mughals, Agra is full of magnificent monuments dating back to the 16th and 17th century. It was here that the founder of the dynasty, Babar, laid out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of the river Yamuna. Here, Akbar, his grandson raised the towering ramparts of the great Red Fort. Within its walls, Jehangir built rose-red palaces, courts and gardens, and Shahajahan embellished it with marble mosques, palaces and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble.

Agra was the chosen capital of the Mughals during the XVI and XVII centuries before they moved to Delhi. This empire built lots of lavish palaces, forts and monuments. I visited the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort during my 24 hours in Agra. I took the Taj Express from Delhi at 6.00 am and arrived to Agra at 8.15. I visited the Agra Fort in the morning. The fort is located on the west bank of the Yamuna River. Its impressive red sandstone double walls and gates protect this massive complex of courtyards, pavilions and palaces. A big moat (without water at present) surrounds the fort. I couldn't visit the Taj Mahal complex that afternoon due to an US minister visit the Taj was closed to the public. To get a magic (and free) view of the Taj Mahal I went to the opposite bank of the river; it is a photographer’s paradise especially at sunset. To get there I hired an auto-rickshaw for a couple of hours. It cost me about 100 rupees and took about 20-25 minutes.

The crowning glory of the city is obviously the Taj, a monument of love and imagination that represents India to the world.

History of Agra

Agra, the city of Taj was established in 1475 by Badal Singh. Agra finds mention in the Mahabharata as Agraban. Agra city in those days was considered to be the sister city of Mathura which was more prominent than Agraban. Agra came into its own when the Lodhi Kings chose this place beside the Yamuna to be their capital city.

Sikander Lodhi made Agra his capital but Babar defeated the Lodhis to capture not only Agra
but also laid the foundation of the Mughal Empire.

The coming of Babar heralded a new era which was to see Agra at its zenith during the reign of Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. It was during Akbar's period that Agra became the center of art, culture and commerce and learning. This trend reached its height when Shah Jahan became the ruler.

In the mid 16th century and earlier 17th century Agra witnessed a frenzied building activity and it was during this time when the symbol of love Taj Mahal was built. The buildings made during this era were purely in the contemporary Mughal style and of very high quality which is still reflected in what ever monuments remain in Agra. The narrow lanes of Agra filled with aroma of Mughlai cuisine, the craftsman who is busy in crating master pieces with their skill all remind of the Mughal royalty which this city had once experienced. Today whatever remains, has become a major tourist attraction which has taken Agra again to the heights of glory but this time as a major tourist destination of India.

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