On the river banks of Yamuna lies one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh, Agra. It is a major tourist destination because of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Taj Mahal, Agra, Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. After the battle of Panipat the mughals took control of the city and built Persian gardens beautifying the city and towering ramparts to raise the Great Red Fort further. On the outskirts Fatehpur Sikri was built as a method of protection containing high military pillars made out of stone. After the decline of Mughal Empire the city was ruled by Marathas who did not make any big changes to the existing architecture focusing solely on the state of affairs. They were ousted by the British who made administrational changes and were preoccupied with strengthening their army leaving the architecture as it were. The historical significance of every empire lingers in the city as tourist journey through the spectacle of Agra.
Agra Pilgrimage Tour: Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is a mausoleum built by Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife Mumtaz . It is the mainspring of monuments and is a world heritage site along with being one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Set amidst landscaped gardens it is finished in marble and is a paragon of romance and beauty. The interiors of a Taj Mahal included rich frescoes on ceilings and walls embedded with precious stones which are full of sheen and radiance. At the entrance of this majestic monument is a large gate that has 22 small domes on top signifying the number of years it took to build Taj Mahal. The foundation of Taj Mahal is not marble but sandstone as marble was laid after the sandstone platform was completed. The tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz lie side by side in rich marble adorned with exquisite artistry.
Agra Pilgrimage Tour: Agra Fort
From the outside of Agra Fort it is impossible to guess the marvellous structures that are inside. It is in the shape of crescent moon with the wall facing the river lying low whereas other walls fortified properly. It was initially built as a military structure but Shah Jahan Transformed it into a palace extensively using marble and images made out of cut and polished stones. Moti Masjid : the prayer room made of pearls, Diwan e Khas : the public hall for meetings , Sheesh Mahal the mirror place is a marvel to behold along with Musamman Burj from which you can spot the hustle and bustle of the city. The main entrance to the fort is the large Amar Singh gate built with sharp edges to defend itself against incoming attackers. This is not all as the fort helps you look closely into the lives of people who lived inside, from the huge bowl of stone which was used for bathing to the ladies bazaar which has been reinvented by local traders. A visit to the Agrafort will enrich your senses and make you realize what the rules people followed in the past were the right ones to live by.
