On the banks of the Yamuna River, Agra is a medevial city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Sultan Sikandar Lodi was founded the city in 1506. The city features many Moghul wonders, many of which are UNESCO world heritage sites. The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri are the major tourist-pullers in India, hence making it the best of the Golden Triangle Tour.
Agra is the best in destinations ? Agra, Delhi and Jaipur. Agra is situated 27.18? N 78.02? E on the bank of river Yamuna. On the north it is borders Mathura, on the south it is bounded by Dhaulpur, on the east by Firozabad, and on the west by Bharatpur.
Agra was one of the most authoritative cities under the Mughals, it witnessed a lot of monumental activities. Babar, the founder of the Mughal dynasty placed the first formal Persian garden, Aram Bagh on the banks of Yamuna. His grandson Akbar raised the towering Red Fort besides making the city a center for learning arts, commerce and religion. Akbar also built Fatehpur Sikri. Jahangir had a fascination for gardens and layed many gardens inside the Red Fort or Laal Kila. Shah Jahan gave Agra its most prized monument, The Taj Mahal, in loving memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in 1643.
Places of Interest
?Taj Mahal
One of the most famous buildings in the world and has been declared a World Heritage Site. Closed for visitors every Friday.
?Agra Fort
It is a dominant structure built by Akbar in 1565. At one time it was the palace of Shah Jehan who reworked extensively with marble and pietra dura inlay. The main buildings in the fort include the Pearl Mosque, the Diwan-e-Am and Diwan-e-Khas, Jehangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and Musamman Burj.
?Fatehpur Sikri
It is 35 km away from Agra, primary built for military by Akbar. There are many forts inside Fatehpur Sikri.
?Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb ? The Baby Taj
Nur Jehan built this monument for her father Ghias-ud-Din Beg, the Chief Minister of Emperor Jahangir. It resembles The Taj in many respects.
?Jama Masjid
It is a large mosque in memory of Princess Jahanara Begum. Built in 1648, notable for absence of minarets and unusual dome.
?Chini Ka Rauza
It is tomb dedicated to Allama Afzel Khal Mullah, the prime minister of Shah Jehan.
?Sikandra - Akbar's tomb
It is the mosque of Akbar and reflects the completeness of his personality. The vast, carved, red-ochre sandstone tomb is set inside a lush garden.
Tip for Tourists
The best time to visit Agra is on weekdays as weekends get crowded and getting into becomes a tedious job.
From Delhi the capital of India, there are hundreds of travel operators who will guide the tourists to Agra besides there are several trains and buses going through Agra.
