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Agra, a city of ancient romances, lies on the banks of the Yamuna River in the
northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Agra (2001 population 1,400,000)
finds mention in the epic Mahabharata-- penned the 'Agrabana', or
'Paradise'. Agra achieved its famed as the capital of the Mughal
emperors between 1526 and 1658. This beautiful city holds firm as
a major tourist destination due to its magnificent Mughal-era structures-- the
Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri. All of the aforementioned
structures are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A medieval city,
it is largely accepted that Sultan Sikandar Lodi founded Agra in 1504.
The city's golden age began with the Mughals, Agra then known as
Akbarabad. Much of the city's magnificent buildings were
constructed in this time, laying the first formal Persian garden on the banks of
the Yamuna-- the Garden of Relaxation. Babar Mughal-- the founder
of the Mughal dynasty--passed on his genius to his grandson Akbar, who ordered
the construction of the Great Red Fort, and made Agra a centre for learning the
arts, commerce, and religion. The later descendants of the Mughal
dynasty-- particularly under the reign of Aurangzeb Mughal-- fighting and
betrayal ensued. This trend went on for years, and was even taken
by the British in 1803. The fighting continued until India finally
gained independence in 1947.
A major tourist destination, Agra is
best visited in the months of October, November, February and March-- when the
average temperatures are comfortable. Agra has many vibrant
marketplaces, with various local crafters selling their time-consuming
artwork. Marble inlays, silver jewelry and carvings are some of
the most sought-after products by tourists and the international market
alike. Agra is a city of beauty, and has so much to discover and
enjoy. Its architecture is incredibly impressive, with famous
sites such as the Mankameshwar Temple, Akbar's Tomb, and the Agra Fort.
But most of all, seekers from all walks of life visit Agra to see the
spectacular Taj Mahal. King Shah Jahan, known as a sensitive and
poetic man, crushed by the sudden death of his favorite wife (Mumtaz Mahal),
built this magnificent structure. Completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal
is the final resting place of Mumtaz Mahal. The mausoleum took 22
years to build, and was made almost entirely of white marble. Its
walls are encrusted with semi-precious stones in the patterns of lotus flowers,
silver, and passages from the Holy Koran. 20,000 workers and
artists constructed the building over this time. From the Agra
Fort, the Taj Mahal stands like a mirage in the distance-- the exact place Shah
Jahan stared for 8 years from the windows of his prison cell until his final
days. It's perfectly symmetrical domes and pillars leave most
visitors without words. Visit one of the New Seven Wonders of the
World, and walk the steps of one of the most monumental structures in the
world.
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