Agra, in time, has become synonymous with the concept of housing a world wonder. The city is the home of arguably the world’s most famous building: the Taj Mahal – the world famous mausoleum of Shah Jahan’s favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This is not to say that it does not live up to its hype, every last bit of it. The testament to one man’s love for his wife and the length that he would go to demonstrate it, defying death doing them part in the process, is captured for posterity in the mammoth structure that is the Taj Mahal.
However, sadly, on the face of it, for most of the uninitiated (to Mughal history), the buck stops there. However, Agra, one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh, is home to numerous historical sites which give the city depth beyond the already significant existence of the Taj Mahal. These include the likes of:
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The Agra Fort
Just a stone’s throw from the Taj Mahal, the fort is built over an area of 94 acres and is home to over 24 monuments that highlight Mughal architecture. It was a robustly built stronghold of the Mughals, and even Shah Jahan was held in captivity there by his son, Aurangzeb.
Fatehpur Sikri
This fort is considered one of Akbar’s marvels, and is known for its intricate design which highlights a blend between Muslim and Hindu architectural design. One of the chief attractions of Fatehpur Sikri is the Buland Darwaza, or the ‘Gate of Magnificence’ (the highest in the world), which was built by Akbar in 1576 AD to commemorate his victory over Gujarat.
I’timad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb
Popularly referred to as the Baby Taj, I’timad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb was built by the Empress Noor Jahan for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. The entire tomb consists of carved, delicate marble work known as pietra dura. At sunset, the semi-precious stones that are an intrinsic part of the monument, light up to create a golden glow around the monument, making it a striking sight along the river Yamuna.
Sikandra – the tomb of Akbar the Great
Known as possibly the greatest leader of the Mughal Empire, Akbar the Great started the work on his own tomb in 1605 AD, and it was completed by his son Jahangir after his father’s death. It contains the hallmark of Persian architecture: perfect symmetry, and will make you stop dead in your tracks in awe, right at the gate itself.
Of course, the one disclaimer here is that this city is crowded. No matter where you go, unless you time your visits well, and at times even in spite of it, you will find your inner agora-phobe make its way to the fore. However, if you learn to accept it, with its own brand of charm, its pace and cramped nature as part of its very fibre, you will be left with no doubt as to what it is that makes this destination (for the Taj Mahal and then some) worth visiting.
