Agra is located in Uttar Pradesh in India. It was the capital of the Mughal Empire in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries until it was shifted to Delhi in the eighteenth century. Located on the banks of the River Yamuna and along the Grand Trunk Road, this city is linked with the lives of Mughal emperors such as Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan, whose love for architecture is manifested in the monuments of Agra. The chief attractions for the traveller in Agra are the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and Itimad-ud-Daula.
The Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was constructed by the Mughal emperor in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj was completed in 1653 after 22 years of construction work involving 20,000 workers. It was built by the Persian architect Ustad Isa and houses the tomb of Shah Jahan and his queen Mumtaz Mahal. Typical of the Mughal architecture, this monument of love made of white marble is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Agra Fort was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar between 1565 and 1573. The fort is made of red sandstone and contains many buildings from the time of Akbar till the reign of Shah Jahan. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it houses several examples of fine Mughal architecture like the Jahangiri Mahal, Khas Mahal, Shish Mahal, Mina Masjid, the Moti Masjid, Diwan-e-Am and Diwani-i-Khas.
Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1564. Made in red sandstone, this was his sign of gratitude for having a son. Itimad-ud-Daula is the tomb of the Persian Mirza Ghyas Beg, who served in Akbar’s court, built by his daughter Noor Jahan, wife of Emperor Jahangir. The tomb has Pietra Dura" inlay, white marble and lattice work.
The Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was constructed by the Mughal emperor in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj was completed in 1653 after 22 years of construction work involving 20,000 workers. It was built by the Persian architect Ustad Isa and houses the tomb of Shah Jahan and his queen Mumtaz Mahal. Typical of the Mughal architecture, this monument of love made of white marble is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Agra Fort was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar between 1565 and 1573. The fort is made of red sandstone and contains many buildings from the time of Akbar till the reign of Shah Jahan. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it houses several examples of fine Mughal architecture like the Jahangiri Mahal, Khas Mahal, Shish Mahal, Mina Masjid, the Moti Masjid, Diwan-e-Am and Diwani-i-Khas.
Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1564. Made in red sandstone, this was his sign of gratitude for having a son. Itimad-ud-Daula is the tomb of the Persian Mirza Ghyas Beg, who served in Akbar’s court, built by his daughter Noor Jahan, wife of Emperor Jahangir. The tomb has Pietra Dura" inlay, white marble and lattice work.
