Agra!

The Agra district is situated in western U.P., between 27.11' degree Latitude North and 78.0' degree to 78.2' degree Longitute East with an altitude of 169 m above sea level. It is bounded by Mathura District on the north, by Dhaulpur District on south, by Firozabad District on east and by Bharatpur on west. Agra is situated on the bank of Yamuna river.

This city is 200 Km away from Delhi. Agra flourished under the Mughal emperor Akbar (1542-1605) and his successors, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Primarily the Economy of the Agra district is agriculture based while the economy base of Agra city is Small Scale Industries, Commerce and Trade. Major crops are Wheat, Paddy, Bajra, Mustard, Patato etc. About 40% of the total economy of Agra depend on industry (Directly or Indirectly). Over 7200 Small Scale Industrial Units are spread all over the district.

The main shopping areas of the city are Sadar Bazar, Kinari Bazar, Raja-ki-Mandi, Sanjay Place and the Taj Mahal Complex. Shopping is recommended at the Govt. Emporia or Souvenir Shops approved by U.P Tourism

Taj Mahal
This majestic white royal building towers itself on a hill and is surrounded by crenellated walls. The palace stands along the shores of Pichola. It is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Although a conglomeration of buildings constructed by various Maharanas over a period of time, the complex still manages to retain a uniformity of design. The palace has many courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. One can get a magnificent view of the lake and the city from the upper terraces of the palace. The main part of the palace has now been preserved as a museum. One get to see the beautiful mosaics of peacocks at the Mor Chowk, the glass and mirror work in the Manak Mahal and Moti Mahal, and a beautiful collection of miniatures in Krishna Vilas.

Residency
Built for the British Resident in 1780-1800, it was originally a very extensive and beautiful building, It was a scene of dramatic events during the Mutiny of 1857. The scarred ruins tell the story of the British community besieged by the rebels. The main house overlooks the river and is surrounded by terraced lawns and gardens.

The Taj Mahal Museum
It is a small museum situated on the ground of Taj near the mosque. It contains the memorabilia from the Mogul period and historical back ground of Taj Mahal. The paintings of Shajahan and Mumtaz Mahal can also be seen. It is open for visitors from 8 am to 5 pm except Friday.

Agra Fort
It is at Yamuna ki Kinara Road, near Nehru Park. The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1565 A.D., although additions were made till the time of his grandson Shah Jahan. This fort is in triangular shape and encircled by a massive wall two and half Kms long and 69 ft high. The fort was protected by a moat and another wall with the Yamuna River running at its base. The entrance is through Amar Singh Gate. The Jahangiri Mahal situated north of Amar Singh Gate was built by Akbar as a residence for his son Jahangir. It is a blend of Hindu architecture with Central Asian influences. The central court of the palace is lined by two-storey facades with remnants of the rich gilded decorations which once covered much of the structure. On the death of Jahangir, Shah Jahan assumed the throne and started his own constructions inside the fort. The Shahjahani Mahal is the remodel of the Jaghangiri Mahal. The elephant fights were watched by Shah Jahan from this tapering tower gallery. The Khas Mahal (private Palace) built by Shah Jahan in 1637, has three pavilions overlooking the Yamuna, with a fountain opposite the central pavilion. The white marble central pavilion follows the Mughul style. Three arches on each side, five in front, and two turrets rising out of the roof. A second pavilion is of white marble and was supposedly decorated with gold leaf, while the third is made with red stone. There are number of exquisite building like the Moti Masjid-a white marvel mosque akin to a perfect pearl, Diwan-e-Am, Diwan-e-Khaas, Jehangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal, Shish Mahal and Musamman or Samman Burj-where Shahjahan was held captive in 1666 A.D.

The Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors)
It was Built in 1637, stands at the northeastern end of the Khas Mahal courtyard. It is an example of decorative water engineering in the hammams(bath). The lamps are fitted to warm up the water. The walls of the palace were inlaid with chiseled mirrors.

Diwan-i-Khas
The hall of private audience (1637) (Diwan-i-Khas) built by Shah Jahan were used to receive foreign ambassadors or other dignitaries. It is a three sided pavilion with a terrace of fine proportions. Outside the structure is the marble throne terrace, where a pair of thrones were kept.

The Musamman
Burj is built by Shah Jahan for Mumtaz Mahal. It is made of delicate marble lattices for the ladies of the court to gaze out, unseen. There is a beautiful carved fountain in the center.

The Diwan-i-Am (Hall of public audience)
This hall was used to meet officials and petitioners. The women of the palace can watch the court without being seen by others from the pavilion through jali screens. The open sided, cusped arched hall (64x23m) built of plaster on red stone, is very impressive. The throne alcove of richly decorated white marble completed after 7 years work in 1634 was used to house the Peacock Throne.

The Nagina Masjid
Nagina Masjid is a private mosque raised by Shah Jahan with typical cusped arches for ladies of the court. There is Mina bazar for the ladies to buy things from the marble balcony beneath the Nagina Masjid.

The Moti Masjid nearby the Nagina Masjid is a perfectly proportioned pearl mosque built in white marble. Visit : 7- 6 pm .

Akbar's Tomb
It is 10 Km north of Agra, along Great Trunk road. The tomb was started by the Great Emperor Akbar himself in 1602. It was completed by his son Jahangir after the death of his father. This monument is an eclectic blend of cultures and style. It is build with rough red stone topped with white marble. Its graceful minarets are surrounded by a Hindu style courtyard. It is open from 6 am to 5.30 pm.

Itmad-Ud-Daulat's Tomb
This tomb is 5 Km north of Taj Mahal. The tomb was built by Empress Nur- Jahan for her father. Her father was a Persian nobleman who became Jahangir's Chief minister. The tomb was built by workers from Iran and Persia. Persian brown and yellow marble were used to built this tomb. Thus Persian marble was used for the first time in India.

Chinni Ka Roja
This was constructed by Afzal Khan, A high official in the court of Shah Jahan. Decorated by glazed tiles on the facade, the structrure clearly depicts the Persian influence in architecture. It is open from Sunrise to Sunset

Mariyam's Tomb
This uniqe tomb in red sandstone was built in 1611 A.D. a memory of Emperor Akbar's Goan christian wife Mariyam. The tomb has some exceptional carvings. It is open from Sunrise to Sunset

Jama Masjid
This building, with a rectangular open forecourt was constructed in 1648 A.D., by Shah Jahan's daughter, Jehanera Begum in memory of the famous Shiekh Salim Chistti and his grand son Islam Khan. Of perticular importants is its wounderful assimilation of Iranian architecture.

Ram Bagh
One of the earliest Mughal gardens, it was laid out by Emperor Babar - the founder of the Mughal dynasty. It is said that Babar was temporarily buried here before being permanently interred at Kabul in Afghanistan. It is open from Sunrise to Sunset

Sikandra
The mausoleum of Emperor Akbar represents his philosophy and secular outlook, combining the best of Hindu and Muslim architectures in a superlative fusion. Completed in 1613 A.D., it is a well-preserved monument. It is open from Sunrise to Sunset.

Itmad-ud-daulah
This exquisite marble tomb was made by Emperor Jehangir's queen, Nurjahan, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg during 1622 - 1628 A.D. The craftsmanship at Itmad-ud-Daulah foreshadows that of the Taj Mahal. It was here that 'Pietra Dura' the inlay work on marble - so characteristic of the Taj - was first used. It is open from Sunrise to Sunset.

Radhaswami Samadhi, Dayalbagh
The headquarters of the Radhaswami sect. On the sprawling lawns here, is a beautiful marble temple under construction for almost 100 years now. Open : 8.am to 7 pm. (Entry free upto 15 years age and free for all on Fridays). These monuments are open to visitors everyday throughout the year)