A walk through history, Agra is the mystical abode of all things past. Though magnificence of the Taj Mahal attracts tourists to Agra from all over the world, this city is also peppered with forts, tombs and mausoleums that make for an attractive itinerary. Nicknamed Baby Taj, the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah is worth a visit. A visit to the ruined city of Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, and Akbar’s Tomb also deserve a place in your itinerary. Fatehpur Sikri built by Emperor Akbar requires you to keep aside a day for visit. The Agra Fort should be explored for its antiquity and display of architectural finesse. A city of dualities, Agra has also been quietly undergoing a metamorphosis of its own as new hipster neighbourhoods are cropping up throughout its length and breadth. Besides the Taj Mahal, tourists also flock to the Mehtab Bagh, which is neatly aligned with the Taj, for an enchanting view of the iconic monument on full moon nights.
TAJ MAHAL
The Taj Mahal is considered by many, to possess architectural beauty unsurpassed by any other structure in the world. Constructed over a period of 22 years, employing twenty thousand workers, it was completed in 1648 C.E. and costed a whopping 32 million Rupees. Built entirely of white marble, it almost seems to glow in the moonlight, with the shimmering Jamuna river situated just across. The Muslim emperor Shah Jahan built this monument in the memory of his wife Mumtaz, whose grave is housed within the premises at the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later. The Taj stands tall and regal on a raised, square platform, forming an unequal octagon with its four truncated corners. The architecture uses the interlocking arabesque concept, where each element is singular in its entirety, but integrates seamlessly with the whole. The central dome spans 58 feet in diameter and soars to a height of 213 feet. It is flanked on four sides by smaller domed chambers, and four slender minarets rising to a lower height of 162.5 feet. The entire mausoleum is decorated with an inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy using precious gems like agate and jasper, and the main archways are carved with passages from the Holy Qur’an.
MEHTAB BAGH
Originally built by Emperor Babur as the last in a series of 11 parks bordering the Yamuna’s east bank, this Mughal garden was conceived before even the Taj Mahal. Although it fell into disrepair owing to a flood in 1652 AD, it was reconstructed and restored to its former glory in 1996, and is now one the best spots to take in stunning views of the Taj Mahal. The gardens surrounding the Taj Mahal are perfectly aligned with Mehtab Bagh, and a large octagonal pool at the heart of the garden offers a perfect reflection of the Taj in the moonlight. Translating to mean ‘Moonlight Garden’, this is where Mehtab Bagh gets its name from.
FATEHPUR SIKRI
Fatehpur Sikri is a town located about 40 kilometres from Agra, and has been given the status of a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Founded in 1569 by the Mughal emperor Akbar, this was the Mughal capital from 1571 to 1585, during which the empire reached its pinnacle of success. The site was chosen to honour the Sufi saint Salim Chishti and the city within was built to honour the birth of his child, Salim. The construction of this walled city took almost 15 years to complete, and the complex included several royal palaces, a harem, courts and a mosque. The buildings have been made from red sandstone and have been designed in keeping with Persian architectural concepts, although the overall style is Mughal.
AKBAR’S TOMB
Sikandra Complex containing Akbar’s tomb is one of Agra’s architectural marvels. Work on it was started by Akbar in 1605, and was completed by his son jehangir after his death. Using various different styles of architecture, this beautiful and imposing tomb is located amidst a gorgeous garden, and has been constructed using red sandstones and glossy white marble inlaid in geometric patterns. The huge courtyard is entered through a stunning gateway, and features three-storey minarets in each. The tomb of Mariam Zamani, Akbar’s Christian Wife from Goa and King Jehangir’s mother, is placed nearby.
AGRA FORT
Aside from the Taj Mahal, Agra has one of the finest Mughal forts in India, the Agra Fort. A massive red sandstone structure located on the banks of the Yamuna River, construction on the fort was started in 1565 by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, and further additions in white marble were subsequently made up till the reign of his grandson Shah Jahan. Originally built for military purposes, it was later used as a palace, and eventually even served as a prison where Shah Jahan was confined for 8 years by his son Aurangzeb, who seized power in 1658. The fort runs along a length of 2.5 kilometres within enclosed walls, it encompasses several exquisite palaces such as the Shah Jahani Mahal, Jahangiri Mahal, Khas Mahal, audience halls named Diwan-i-Am and the Diwan-i-Khas, a Fish Pavilion, the Nagina Masjid, Garden of Grapes and the Pearl Mosque. A world heritage site, it is a testament to architecture which deserves a visit.
ITIMAD-UD-DAULA’S TOMB
Nicknamed the Baby Taj, the exquisite tomb of Mizra Ghiyas Beg was the precursor to the Taj Mahal. Built between 1622 and 1628, it is located along the banks of the Yamuna and was built by the Mughal queen Noor Jahan, wife of Emperor Jehangir, to commemorate her parents. It is an architectural marvel located at the heart of the well known and scenic Persian Garden. The tomb has been elegantly designed and finished in the most beautiful architectural style laid in yellow marble with black and white marble inlay. A similar tomb was later built by Noor Jahan for her husband near Lahore in Pakistan.