Agra - Mughal Heritage At Its Best

By Author: Rashmiranjan Patil
Total Articles: 261
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Agra is an ancient city famous the world over as the site of one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Set by the banks of the river Yamuna, Agra is situated in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Agra is bordered by the districts of Mathura in the north, Dhaulpur in the south Firozabad in the east and Bharatpur in the west.

The ancient city of Agra finds mention in Mahabharata, the Hindu Mythological epic where it is called Agrevana meaning border of the forest. Although according to some legends, the city is said to have been founded by Raja Badal Singh, a Sikarwar Rajput.

Taj Mahal, the monument dedicated to eternal love was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631 and took 20,000 labourers more than 20 years to complete it at the cost of over 32 crore rupees. Made entirely out of white marble, this mausoleum is in memory of Shah Jahan’s third wife Mumtaz Mahal who died during childbirth. One of the finest examples of Mughal architecture that combines elements of Persian, Turkish and Indian architecture, Taj Mahal’s central tomb is the most renowned features of this edifice.

Although ...
... the city is most known as the site of Taj Mahal, there are many other historical monuments like the Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Sikandra, Itmad Ud Daula, Sur Sarovar, Jama Masjid, Diwan-i-Am, Buland Darwaza that are popularly visited in Agra.

A prominent attraction of Agra is the Agra Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses Anguri Bagh gardens, Diwan-e-Khas, Jahangir's Palace, Ladies' Bazaar, Moti Masjid, Nagina Masjid and Shish Mahal inside its premises.

The Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb in Agra is often referred to as ‘Baby Taj’, or ‘Jewel Box’ due to the striking similarity in architecture between the two and is also popularly regarded as a draft of the original Taj Mahal.

A prominent monument in Agra is the Fatehpur Sikri, built during the 16th century by Mughal Emperor Akbar. The monuments in Fatehpur Sikri include the famous mosque Jama Masjid, Mariam-uz-Zamani’s Palace, Buland Darwaza, Tomb of Salim Chisti and Panch Mahal. Few other popular monuments in Agra are the Chini Ka Rauza, Soami Bagh Samadh and the Tomb of Akbar the Great.

The Mughals are believed to have been great admirers of lavish gardens built in Islamic style that comprised of pools, a variety of trees and many other features. Agra is home to some of the most beautiful gardens like the Mehtab Bagh, Ram Bagh, Soami Bagh, Shah Jahan Park and the Dayal Bagh.

Agra’s cuisine is very famous all across India for its creamy kormas, pasandas, nargisi kofta, and speciality sweets like dalmoth and petha.