Travel to Agra

Agra is one of the famous city of India not only because the city has an excellent cultural background but houses the world renowned Taj Mahal. Located about 204 km south of Delhi, Agra is the city of tombs and memorials. Famous for its Taj Mahotsav (Taj Festival, Agra is bustling with tourist in the month of February every year as thousands of tourists throng to it from all over the world. The Taj Mahotsav brings traditional Indian music and dance on a single platform for tourists to enjoy.

Tourist Attractions in India

 Agra Fort

Besides the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort is another wonderful monument that is a must visit on your tour of Agra. Unlike the Taj Mahal, which was built by one Mughal ruler, the Agra Fort saw continuous addition to its structure. The Agra Fort was started by Akbar (1556-1605) but the construction was continued during the rule of his son Jehangir and his grand son Shah Jahan. However most buildings inside the fort was built during the reign of Shah Jahan.

The Agra Fort is situated on the bank of river Yamuna. The Agra Fort is built in red stone and it stretches almost two kilometres on the bank of the Yamuna. The 69 ft high wall encircles the crescent shaped Agra Fort. The Agra Fort has two main gates, which is proof of its impregnable stature. The two gates of the Agra Fort are the Delhi gate and the Amar Singh Gate.

The Agra Fort houses a number of mosques and palaces. Most of the mosques and palaces inside the Agra Fort are built in red stone and white marble. Some of the wonderful monuments that you can visit inside the Agra Fort on your tour of Agra include Khas Mahal, Jehangiri Mahal, Musamman Burj, Moti Masjid, Sheesh Mahal, and Nagina Masjid. 

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the 7th wonders of the world, and some Western historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from across the Jamuna river.

Shah Jahan (real name Khurram) was the fifth Mughal emperor and most prolific builder in Indian history. Son of Jahangir and grandson of Akbar, he became ruler in 1627 at the age of 35 years.

In 1612, Mumtaz Mahal (real name Arjumad Banu Begam) was married to Shah Jahan. This marriage was real love-match, and she was her husband's inseparable companion on all his journeys and military expeditions.

TajMahal, a dream etched in milky white pristine marble is the peerless monument portraying the beauty of eternal love! A commemoration of the memory of Shahjahan's beloved wife, Mumtaz. Taj Mahal is indeed India's rich tribute to womanhood. Renowned for its aesthetic beauty, this extravagant building of timeless beauty is the outcome of a unique combination of passion and architectural exuberance.

The most romantic tomb ever created, the Taj Mahal houses the tombs of the emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. This wonderful marble edifice took over 21 years to make and is the finest jewel of art and architecture of the Mughal period. Laid in the formal design of Islamic gardens, the tomb is set on the banks of the river Yamuna, its massive dome and minarets reflecting in the waters of the river aswell as the water channels of the garden.

The pure white marble of the tomb takes on the subtle changes in sunshine, and indeed moon light, and seems to change colour throughout the day and night. The tomb is usually open from morning till sundown, but during the full moon, the tomb and its gardens are left open to the public so that we can all enjoy the pearly white Taj in milky Moon light of the full moon. It is a marvellous sight to behold at any time of the year and is a magnet for lovers from around the world.

The Taj Mahal is a deserving resting palace for an Emperor's Empress. It stands on the banks of the river Yamuna, which otherwise serves as a wide moat defending the Great Red Fort of Agra, the center of the Mughal emperors until they moved their capital to Delhi in 1637. It was built by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan in 1631 in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess. She died while accompanying her husband in Burhanpur in a campaign to crush a rebellion after giving birth to their 14th child.

Itmad-ud-daulah Tomb

 

The tomb of Itmad-ud-daulah in Agra is believed to have inspired the design of the Taj Mahal. The tomb Itmad-ud-daulah was built much earlier then the Taj Mahal. The tomb was built by Nur Jahan, wife of Jehangir for her father Mirza Ghiyas-ud-din or Ghiyas Beg.

The life of Ghiyas-ud-din Beg makes an interesting read. Ghiyas-ud-din Beg was a poor merchant from Persia (now Iran). On his way to India, his wife gave birth to a baby girl. Since he was extremely poor, he decided to abandon the baby. However wails of the baby made them to take her back. The baby brought good fortune to Ghiyas Beg, who found a caravan that took him to the court of the Mughal emperor Akbar. As time passed, Ghiyas Beg became the chief minister during the reign of Jehangir. He was honoured with the title of Itmad-ud-daulah, which means 'Pillar of the State'.

His daughter grew up to be a beautiful lady and was married off. But her husband died soon after her marriage and she came back to her father in the court of Jehangir. Jehangir fell in love with her and married and she was known as Nur Jahan. Ghiyas Beg died in 1622 and Nur Jahan decided to build a mausoleum for her father. The tomb of Itmad-ud-daulah is built entirely in white marble.