AGRA TRAVEL - THE HISTORY

220 kilometers from India's capital city of New Delhi, AGRA is situated on the banks of the River Yamuna. It is this city that is home to the fabled mausoleum the Taj Mahal, built by Emperor Shahjehan in memory of his beloved queen, the Empress Mumtaz Mahal.

TAJ MAHAL 
Agra Tour offers you one of the seven wonders of the world , the Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan symbolising his eternal love for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal who was snatched away by the cruel hands of death in 1630, bearing him his fourteenth child . This enchanting mausoleum laid in 1½ acres of geometric gardens and waterways, which took 22 years (1631-1652 A.D) to complete , is the crowning glory of Mughal architecture in India. 

Travel Agra the city, which was at the zenith of its development during Mughal rule in India in the reigns of the Emperors Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan (1556-1658 A.D) . During this period Agra became a world leader in art, architecture, science, commerce and culture. 

Some of the major tourist attractions in the Agra city include :-

AGRA FORT
This impressive red standstone fort was built by Akbar between 1565-1573 A.D. Replete with gateways, pillared halls , mosques, marble trellises and geomatric gardens , the Fort represents Mughal architecture at its peak.

SIKANDRA
The mausoleum of Emperor Akbar represents his philosophy and secular outlook, combining the best of Hindu and Muslim architecture in a superlative fusion. Completed in 1613 A.D, this is one of the best preserved monuments of the time. 

ITMAD-UD-DAULAH'S TOMB
Built between 1622 and 1628 by Empress Nur Jahan for her father, boasts of marble trellis work and inlaid with-precious stones, this mausoleum on the opposite bank of the Yamuna from the Taj, exhibits a strong Persian influence. 

Taj mahal  Described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, it was constructed by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his queen Mumtaz Mahal, made out of white marble took 22 years to complete (1630-1652 AD). Ustad Ahamad Lahori, a Persian Architect, is said to be the main designer and planner for this magnificent memorial. On full moon nights, the glory of the Taj is at its best. Over the centuries, the Taj has attracted more visitors than perhaps any other Monuments in the country, and it is all too easy resort to conventional superlatives when describing it. What makes the Taj Unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day and glowes pearl-like in the moonlight and during the monsoon. Standing on a high plinth, the Taj Mahal is visible for miles around and forms a backdrop to mustard fields and mud-walled villages. It can be seen from guestrooms at some of Agra's hotels, as well as from the landscaped gardens to the west of the complex.
	Itmad-ud-daulah's tomb This tomb belongs to the father of Nur Jahan, Ghias-ud-Din Beg. He was the Wajir or the Chief Minister of Emperor Jehangir. This white marble tomb was built by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628. The tomb may not be as mammoth as the Taj but the inlay designs and carvings are no less than Taj if not more. The delicate marble latticework in the passages allows the light to enter the interiors. A similar tomb was built by Nur Jahan for Jehangir in Lahore. This tomb was the first complete marble Moghul structure.
Agra fort Construction of the massive red sandstone Agra Fort on the bank of the Yamuna River was begun by Emperor Akbar in 1565, though additions were made up until the rule of his grandson, Shah Jahan. In Akbar's time the fort was principally a military structure, but during Shah Jaha regin it had partially become Palace. It is an imposing strcture with walls of red sandstone almost three kilometers long. Entered through the Amar Singh Gate, the eastern part of the fort contain palace, audience hall and mosques built by three emperors.   The fort presents a good sampling of their favoured architectural styles. Akbar drew on Islamic and Hindu traditions and the result is eclectic. By Shah Jahan's time the style had become so homogenized that it is impossible to seprate the Hindu and Muslim strands. The Diwan-i-Am (public audience hall), the beautiful Diwan-i-Khas (private audience hall) and the magnificent Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) were also added by Shah Jahan.

	Jahangir mahal The biggest private residence in the Fort is the Jahangir Mahal, the Palace of Emperor Jahangir. It is an excellent blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. The palace has a hall which is called Jodhabai's dressing Room. Jodhabai was Jahangir's Hindu mother. Its desigen and layout is essentially Hindu. Later the palace was used by Jahangir's Dressing Room. Jodhabai was Jahangir's Hindu mother. Its design and layout is essentially Hindu. Later the palace was used by Jahangir's queen Noorjahan,the Light of the World. Jahangir was very found of wine as well as his queen whom he adored even more. The love of wine interfered in the day do day running of the Government.To help him out in administering imperial justice, Noorjahan sat with her husband to advise him in taking decisions. She was an iron lady and never tolerated opposition.Those who came in her way ended mysteriously in the yamuna river.
Chisti's tomb  The Gateway buildings leads to the Friday mosque or the Jami Masjid. It is believed to be a copy of the main mosque at Meca. Nearby is the small white marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti. It is ornamented with latticed screens and serpentine brackets. Shahjahan added exquiatie pieta dura work later as a mark of respect for the saint. The tomb was built over the exact spot where the holy man sat in meditation during his lifetime. Even, today, childess couples come to the tomb to seek the blessings of Sheikh Salim Chisti.
	Sikandra  Six miles north of Agra, is a glorious introduction to the city of Mughal wonders, Sikandra. The site of Akbar's mausoleum, Sikandra was begun by Akbar and completed by his son Jehangir in 1613 AD. It reflects the fusion of Hindu and Muslim art and architecture which characterised the era. The tomb is situated in the centre of a large garden and four identical red sandstone gates lead to the tomb complex. The building, with three-storey minarets at each corner, is built of red sandstone with white marble polygonal patterns inlaid. Sikandra is named after Sikandra Lodi, the Delhi ruler who was in power from 1488 to 1517.