Agra Travel Guide, India

Agra is probably one of the oldest cities of India. Nestled on the banks of the river Yamuna, it is home to India’s great Taj Mahal. Famous as the capital of the Mughals, it is known for its magnificent gardens and exquisite forts. A center for art and culture it a must see for every traveler.

Agra is the third largest city in Uttar Pradesh with a population of about two lakh. Agra enjoys a warm summer from April to May and a cold winter from December to February. Although the main language of the city is Hindi; English and Urdu are also widely spoken.  The primary religion of Agra is Hinduism and Islam, though the city is the birth place of the Radhaswami faith and Akbar’s Din-i-illahi.

Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodi (of the Delhi Sultanate) in 1504. In 1526, after the Battle of Panipat, Babur declared it his capital and it remained so under the rule of his successors till the reign of Shah Jahan. Under the reign of the Mughal kings there was great development in Agra. Their love for extravagance can be seen in the lush gardens of Aram Bagh and the splendor of Fatehpur Sikri and The Taj Mahal. After the fall of the Mughal Empire, Agra was ruled by the Marathas and the Jats till the rise of the British Raj in 1803. It enjoyed its position as the capital even in the British government and was at the epicenter of the Struggle for Independence.

The main tourist spots of the city are:

Taj Mahal- Built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a symbol of his love to his favorite queen Mumtaj Mahal. Completed in 1653 C.E, it took 20,000 workers and 22 years to complete. Open from 6 A.M. to 7.30 P.M. (closed Fridays)

Agra Fort- Was built by Akbar in 1565 out of red sandstone and was renovated years later by Shah Jahan who reworked the design with pietra dura and marble. The diwan-e-am, Diwan -e- Khas, Jehangir’s  tomb and Pearl Mosque and some of the important structures of the fort.  The fort epitomizes the Mughal style of architecture with large domes and minarets.

Fatehpur Sikri- Is a large city about 35kms from Agra built by Emperor Akbar.  It is famous for its Buland Darwaza.

Other important destinations include Sikandars tomb, Mankameshwar Temple and Chini ka Rauza.

The economy of Agra is mainly dependant on its tourists. It is also an important industrial town and is known for its zardozi work, handicrafts and marble inlay work. It has a large number of hotels and spas and the Agra University is an important centre for education in this region.