Emperor Akbar the Great commissioned the Agra Fort that is also sometimes called Red Fort of Agra. During the reign of emperor Jahangir, the capital was briefly shifted to Lahore but Agra became the seat of Mughal capital one again in the reign of Akbar. Akbar became emperor in 1556 and when he consolidated himself sufficiently, he started the construction of Agra Fort in the year 1665. The fort was completed in the year 1671 but minor constructions and additions kept on happening till the reign of Shah Jahan, his grandson. It is interesting to note that during the reign of Akbar, the fort mainly served as a military garrison but by the time of Shah Jahan it also started serving as a palace and court. The fort's colossal double walls rise 20 meters in height and measure 2.5 kilometers in circumference ..More Details
Fatehpur Sikri was founded by Akbar, who did not have heir at 26. Regarding this, he visited a saint, Shaikh Salim Chishti who lived in a city called Sikri. His blessing gave Akbar 3 sons. As a gesture, Akbar built a whole new city in Sikri - city dominated by Red Sandstone buildings - the Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri was built during late 16th century by the Emperor Akbar. Fatehpur Sikri or the City of Victory was the capital of the Mughal Empire for period of 10 years. The complex houses excellent monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style - an amalgamation of Hindu and Central Asian Architecture. The complex also includes one of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid. The buildings within Fatehpur Sikri are a unique blend of different architectural traditions. Though the general layout ..More Details
This elegant monument is located at Sikandra, 4 kms away from the city of Agra. Construction of this mausoleum of Emperor Akbar, which was started by Akbar himself, was completed by his son Jehangir. The monument is a perfect coalescence of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist and Jain motifs. The structure gives vital insight regarding the evolution of Mughal architecture- from the Humayun's tomb in Delhi to Akbar's Tomb in Sikandra finally to the Taj Mahal. Three-storey-minarets, built in red sandstone and replete with exquisite inlay work, rise from the four corners of the tomb. The mausoleum is flanked by a beautiful garden. The Baradi palace in the gardens was built by Sikander Lodhi. A paved causeway leads to the five-storied tomb, which is in the shape of a truncated pyramid. The unique square design of the main tomb remains unrivalled by all other Mughal buildings ..More Details
After Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, the monument that is most important in Agra is the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah or "Baby Taj" as it is called sometimes. A highly ornate edifice, this mausoleum is considered as the imminent precursor of the Taj Mahal as far as elaborate carvings and inlay work are concerned. Though the structure does not have much to offer architecturally, it makes a clear departure from the earlier Mughal tombs built during the period and is more softer and with a lot of inlay carvings. Itmad-ud daulah, one of the most beautiful of Mughal tombs, stands across the river Yamuna from the Taj Mahal, nearly one and a half kilometers up-stream. Belonging to the age of Jahangir, it contains cenotaphs of Mirza Ghiyas and Asmat Begum, parents of the powerful Mughal Empress Nurjahan queen of Jahangir, an exceptional beauty and an astute administrator ..More Details
Dayal Bagh area is located towards the north of Agra city. The place constitutes an extension of the city. The place lies at a distance of about 13 kms from the city center. Although it forms the peripheral regions of the city but the place has a good influence of the city. The place is one of the many tourist destinations in Agra. The place is sacred to the followers of Radha Swami faith. It holds the place where the last rites of Swamiji Maharaj were performed. Swamiji Maharaj is the most revered spiritual teacher among Hindus. The prime attraction of the region is the memorial of Swamiji Maharaj. The structure is a blend of mosque, temple and gurudwara architecture. Built in white marble the construction of the lofty structure started on 1904 A.D. and is believed never to be ended. An institute named Radha Swami Institute also has been erected ..More Details
Situated at Sikandra in the Christian Missionary Society compound about 13 km from Agra, Mariyam's Tomb is an exquisite construction of 1611 AD. The tomb is constructed for Mariyam, Mughal emperor Akbar’s beautiful wife from Goa. This tomb has been a enormous appeal due to its graceful carvings on the walls and also the amazing beauty of red sandstone structure. Mariam Zamani, the daughter of Raja Bharmal Kachhwaha of Amer, the wife of great Mughal Emperor Akbar and the mother of his much-awaited successor Salim, this Rajpur queen was known in Mughal History as 'Mariam Zamani' meaning 'Compassionate to the World'.She was so named by Akbar on the eve of the birth of his son and successor Salim (later known as Jehangir) in 1569 at Fatehpur Sikri. Mariam recognized widely as ‘Mariam Zamani’, the mother of Jahangir, was a most highly regarded queen ..More Details
The Mughal emperors were perhaps one of the greatest rulers of the country and leading influences in shaping the country into what she is today. Much of the influences of the dynasty can still be seen all around the country today, notable amongst which is the dynasty's architectural prowess. The Mughals were responsible for the construction of a number of forts, palaces, tombs and gardens. The Mughal gardens of pleasure were especially noteworthy. In these gardens of pleasure, the Mughal rulers tried to reincarnate the image of paradise as conceptualized by most Islamic texts. One of these gardens is the Rambagh Gardens in Agra. The Garden which is also known as Bagh-i-Gul Afshan is planned following the Charbagh pattern which consists of four main divisions crisscrossed by paths and waterways. Water which forms a very integral part of ..More Detail
The Mughal emperors were perhaps one of the greatest rulers of the country and leading influences in shaping the country into what she is today. Much of the influences of the dynasty can still be seen all around the country today, notable amongst which is the dynasty's architectural prowess. The Mughals were responsible for the construction of a number of forts, palaces, tombs and gardens. The Mughal gardens of pleasure were especially noteworthy. In these gardens of pleasure, the Mughal rulers tried to reincarnate the image of paradise as conceptualized by most Islamic texts. One of these gardens is the Rambagh Gardens in Agra. The Garden which is also known as Bagh-i-Gul Afshan is planned following the Charbagh pattern which consists of four main divisions crisscrossed by paths and waterways. Water which forms a very integral part of ..More Detail
