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Taj
Mahal : Agra is famous as being home to one of the seven
wonders of the world-the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendour
of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid remainder
of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid reminder
of the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries.
Agra
Fort : Built by the great Emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D. the
fort is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the
fort are a number of exquisite building, including the Moti
Masjid, Diwane-I-Aam, Diwani-I-Khas and musanman Burj, where
the Emperor Shah Jahan died in imprisonment beside Jahangirs
place, Khaas Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal.
Itmad
- Ud Daula : To the north of the fort and across the river
Yamuna are several fine examples of Mughal architecture. The
Itmad -Ud -Daula as a by the Empress Noor Jehan as a memorial
to her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg , is beautifully ornamented
with pietra dura inlay and lattice work marble screens.
Chini
Ka Roza : The tomb of Afzal Khan, the persian poet and minister at Shah
Jehan's court gets its name from the brightly coloured glazed
tiles that decorate it . Lies just 1km beyond itmad -ud -daula.
Sikandara
: Welcome to Sikandra, a suburb of Agra, only 13 km. From
the Agra Fort. The last resting place of the Mughal Emperor
Akbar. Akbar was the greatest of the Mughal emperors and one
of the most secular minded royalties of his time. He was the
heir to a long tradition of oriental refinement, a great patron
of the arts, literature, philosophy and science. A visit to
Akbar's monument opens before one, the completeness of Akbar's
personality as completely as the Taj Mahal does of Mumtaz Mahal's.
Fatehpur
Sikri : Imposing gateways and light- hearted palaces were
built in red sandstone within this fortified city only to
be abandoned a few years later. Among its many architectural
game are the places for his queens - Jodha Bai, Mariyam and
his Turkish sultana, built in varying styles, each perfect
in itself.
The
Diwan-e-Khas entirely unique in its concept is a tall vaulted
room with an intricately carved central pillar and capital
supporting a platform that once held the emperor's throne.
Narrow galleries link this to the corners of the room where
it is believed his ministers sat The airy panch mahal a 5
storied structure rising in pyramidal fashion was probably
used by the ladies of the court. Set like a jewel in a courtyard
of pink sandstone is the finest building here, the marble
tomb of Salim Chisti enclosed by finely carved, lacy marble
screens. The Buland Darwaza, an imposing gateway 54 m high
was built to commemorate Akbar's Aligarh the famous university
town is a center of Islamic studies. The city is also noted
for its handicrafts and metal ware. |
