AGRA CITY GUIDE

 


Agra - To the lover of art and to the traveler seeking the wonders of the world, Agra is the goal of a pilgrimage to the creative best : the Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendor of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces in Agra is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal Empire for nearly a hundred years from 1564.

Red Fort built by three generations of Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar the Great in 1565 AD, which is a masterpiece of design and construction. It housed both the residential Palaces of the Royal family, and the military quarters


Taj Mahal - visit to the world famous Taj Mahal by decorated tongas. The inimitable poem in white marble, built over a period of 22 years by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains.


Visit the gold thread embroidery workshop -zari work is a form of weave where the gold thread is woven into the fabric to produce borders and motifs on the fabric used for saris, stoles, scarves, dress material and wall tableaus.


Visit a marble-in-lay factory to see the Pietra Dura work made famous by the Taj Mahal.

This art is passed down from father to son.

Visit the beautiful mausoleum of the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, a Persian nobleman who was the father-in-law and Chief Minister of Emperor Jahangir. It was the first monument in India to feature Persian mosaic style inlay work or "Pietra Dura". Greatly resembling the Taj in its use of inlay on white marble, and its twin sand-stone mosque, this elegant tomb is considered as the precursor of the Taj Mahal and is known as the "mini-Taj".


Fatehpur Sikri : 42 kms from Agra is built a city predominantly in Red Sandstone. This town was built by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. He had planned this city as his capital but shortage of water compelled him to abandon the city. After this within 20 years, the capital of Mughals was shifted to Lahore. Fatehpur Sikri was built during 1571 and 1585. Today this ghost city has a population of about 30,000. This deserted city has retained many of the old structures, because of the efforts of the Archaeological department . It is one of the finest examples of Mughal architectural splendour at its height. Though the city is in ruins, it is a place to visit if one comes to Agra. But in real terms Fatehpur Sikri is a place where one should spend some time. The sunset over the ruins is sight to cherish. Fatehpur Sikri is the best example of the culmination of Hindu & Muslim architecture. Fatehpur Sikri Mosque is said to be a copy of the mosque in Mecca and has designs, derived from the Persian & Hindu architecture.


Book one of our North India Tour to Explore this city !


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