A (very brief) Guide to Agra
Agra, in Uttar Pradesh is a city full of history. Once the capital of the Moghuls, Agra can boast a number of marvelous buildings, the most magnificent and well known being the Taj Mahal. Besides this mausoleum, one of the greatest buildings on earth, there are other attractions in Agra like the massive Agra fort and Akbar’s mausoleum.
Agra is located in the western corner of the northern province Uttar Pradesh. Together with Delhi and Jaipur, the city forms the ‘golden triangle’, India’s most popular tourist itinerary.
Predominant Architecture:
The advent of the Mughal dynasty marked a striking revival of Isl?mic architecture in northern India. The various provincial styles were successfully fused to produce works of unusual refinement and quality. Consisting of red sandstone and marble, it shows considerable Persian influence.
Places to see:
Agra Fort: The impressive Agra fort was built between 1156 and 1605. The outside wall in red sandstone is almost 2.5 km long. Inside the fort, you’ll find beautiful mosques and palaces.
Taj Mahal: One of the finest buildings humans ever built is the Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan in 1632. It is an absolute must for people visiting Agra and India in general.
Akbar Mausoleum: A great example of combination of Hindu and Moslem architectural styles.
Fatehpur Sikri: A fascinating ghost city built in the 16th century, 37 km from Agra, was intended to be the joint capital with Agra, but was soon deserted because the water system could not support any residents. It remained untouched for over 400 years.
