Agra Sightseeing, Quick Facts, History, Packages, Tours & Excursions

Let your senses dismiss the heat and dust, the clamour of touts and hawkers and focus on Mughal India's finest. If necessary return another day to explore Fatehpur Sikri by itself. You will be amply rewarded.

The Taj Mahal

That he loved and was devoted to her is richly evident even to all those skeptics who dismiss the power of love. Mumtaz Mahal, the slip of a girl who captured an emperor's heart and over the 19 years they were married gave Shah Jahan eight sons and six daughters, lies buried here by his side. Mumtaz died in Burhanpur in the June of 1631, but it was in Agra that her beloved lord wanted her interred in a monument of love - so splendid that all the world marvels at its mystical beauty centuries down. From Makrana came its marble; from Sri Lanka, Arabia, Russia and Tibet its precious stones for the delectable inlay work. It took 22 years for the paean of love to be completed. Set in a manicured garden in traditional Mughal Char Bagh style the monument sends out an evocative message to all who gaze upon it in the pearly light of dawn, in the rosy skies at sunset, or the silvery moonbeams of a full moon night.

Agra Fort

Akbar played a pivotal role in setting up some of Agra's grand imperial buildings of the era. The old fort of the Lodis which he strengthened and expanded in the Mughal style of architecture was one of them. Abul Fazl, chronicler of the time, set the cost to the exchequer at 3.5 million rupees. The red sandstone structure is punctuated with towers soaring into the skyline and forbidding battlements. Wend your way through the Amar Singh Gate and marvel at the privacy provided to the ladies in the harem quarters of Nagina Masjid. The Shah Burj housed the royal apartments. The Meena Bazaar where the royal ladies could enjoy a leisurely browse amongst the stalls laid out with jewels and garments. The stall holders would look away as they conducted business with the veiled ladies in purdah, who bargained for their bits and bobs. It was from the Mussamman Burj that the imprisoned emperor Shah Jahan's would mournfully look upon the Taj Mahal across the Yamuna. Stop by also at Diwan-e-Am and Diwan-e-Khas (halls of public and private audience), Jehangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal.

Tomb of Itmad-ud-daula

It was Nur Jehan the empress of Jehangir, who legend has it was the real power behind the throne, who designed this tomb. She was deeply attached to her father Mirza Ghiyas-ud-Din Beg her father who was given the title of Itmad-ud-Daula. Nur Jehan  was instrumental in his rise to the post of Lord of the Treasury at the Mughal court. Built in gleaming marble instead of polished red sandstone favoured by the Mughal, the mausoleum is an elegant structure on the eastern bank of the Yamuna. A short distance away is the Chini-ka-Rauza, the tomb of Shakrulla Shiraz favoured poet of Shah Jahan.

The Gardens

Babur hated the heat and dust of Agra. But he couldn't give up the attraction of having a new kingdom to rule. Setting aside his frustrations he went about creating Agra into city of gardens to remind him of his homeland Kabul. On the eastern bank after crossing the Strachey Bridge ask for Ram Bagh - originally Babur's Aram Bagh or Bagh-i-Gul-Afshan. This three tiered structure is set in traditional Islamic Char Bagh-style of gardens representing the Gardens of Paradise on earth. When Babur died on Decembder 26, 1530, his remains were interred here. In 1539 they were taken to Kabul in Afghanistan. Babur's garden was renovated and altered a bit by his great grandson Emperor Jehangir. Neglect has diminished its original beauty but it's still worth a look. At Village Kacchpura on the banks of the Yamuna is Babur's Mahtab Bagh. You'll get some fine views of the Taj from this revived garden.

Humayun's observatory

Humayun, the mystical son of Emperor Akbar was deeply interested in astrology and astronomy. By the banks of the Yamuna, a short walk from Babur's Mahtab Bagh lies Gyarah Sidi, the remains of his observatory

Dara Shikoh's Palace

The palace of the Sufi son of Emperor Shah Jahan is remarkably well preserved. In 1882, the British had converted it into a municipal hall. Ask for directions at the fort's Haathi Gate to locate it in a slightly congested courtyard. Dara lost the throne to his more ambitious brother Aurangzeb who established his base at Delhi, having killed Dara and imprisoned his father at Agra Fort

Other Activities

Shopping

Agra is a major centre for marble inlay work, embroidery, brass ware, leather craft and carpets. Agra's petha sweet is a much favoured gift item for folks back home. The popular shopping areas are close to the Taj complex. The UP state emporium Gangotri is  a good bet for a wide range of souvenirs. Check out the offerings of  Sadar Bazaar, Kinari Bazaar and Munro Road.

Excursions

Sikandra -Akbar's Tomb (13km)

The great emperor initiated the design and building of his tomb in his own lifetime. Also buried in this fusion of terraced pavilions and cenotaphs are Jahangir's mother Maryamuzzamani and two of Akbar's daughters. The tomb was completed during Jehangir's time. You can also visit the tomb of Queen Mariam en route to Akbar's tomb. She was Akbar's Christian wife.

Fatehpur Sikri (40 km)

This atmospheric ruin offers visitors a stunning example of Akbar's architectural dreams. Akbar was a lively and prodigious builder and Agra itself was witness to his enthusiasm. Akbar had pleaded to the saint Salim Chisti of Sikri for his blessings to have children who would survive infancy. When his Hindu wife presented him a son - duly named Salim by Akbar, the emperor ordered the building of a new imperial capital at Sikri to be near the saint. Returning from a successful campaign in Gujarat, the emperor moved into his new capital through the lofty Buland Darwaza at the Jama Masjid end. Within the complex lies the tomb of Salim Chisti, a major pilgrimage point the palace of Maryamuzzamani; and Birbal Bhawan.

Tourism info:

UP Government Tourist Office

64, Taj Road, Agra.

Tel: 0562-2226431

Known for the world's most beautiful monument of love, the Taj Mahal, Agra is where the Mughals lived out their theatrics of power and intrigue, of love and piety, of ambition and heartbreak... Yes Agra has seen it all...held it and lost it to now become an important holiday destination on a tourist agenda. Agra may have had a long innings as a religious and commercial hub  for over three centuries but the Mughals turned the old city over its head and created a vibrant centre of power from where they dictated the fate of Hindustan.

Situated in the rich alluvial plains of the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers in western Uttar Pradesh, Agra lies about 200km southeast of Delhi...The city was an emblem of Mughal power and ambition, but it was also their home and they filled it with gardens and graceful palaces, settled their families and set up their places of leisure and worship.

After a series of successive raids on India, Babur a chieftain of Ferghana in Central Asia, routed the ruler Ibrahim Lodi at the battle of Panipat in the winter of 1525. With no one else to oppose him Babur with his son Humayun set out for Agra, the old Lodi stronghold and set the scene for a long rule of the Mughals in India. The city which is first referred to in the Indian epic Mahabharata as Agrabana, was the headquarters of Sultan Sikandar Lodi in 1506. The Mughals ruled Hindustan from here from 1526-1658.

Visitors to Agra may find the plethora of monuments, gardens and bazaars a bit daunting, but everyone returning to the city ends up having a favourite that they want to revisit - not the least of which may be the Taj - while for others it may be the surprisingly well preserved palace of Dara Shikoh, the sufi son of emperor Shah Jehan. Three of these Mughal-era structures are UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. However, no visit to Agra city is really complete without a trip to nearby Sikandra, where the remains of Emperor Akbar were interred. An excursion to the atmospheric ruins of  Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned capital of Akbar, is a must-do. The ruins offer a revealing insight into the mind of an inspired and highly evolved visionary ruler in Mughal India.