Itmad Ud Daulah's Tomb

It is a perfect example of the Mughal architectural excellence of the city as well as the country. This attractive white marble tomb was built by Empress Noor Jahan, in memory of her father, Ghias-ud-Din Beg in 1622-25A.D. Mirza Ghiyas Beg was an influential official in the Mughal court and was presented with the title of 'Itmad Ud Daulah' that literally translates into 'the pillar of the state'. The tomb may not be as mammoth as the Taj but the inlay designs and carvings are no less than Taj if not more. The delicate marble latticework in the passages allows the light to enter the interiors.

A similar tomb was built by Nur Jahan for Jehangir in Lahore. This tomb was the first complete marble Moghul structure. Along with the main building, the structure consists of numerous outbuildings and gardens. The tomb, built between 1622 and 1628 represents the transition between the first phase of monumental Mughal architecture - primarily built from red sandstone with marble decorations, as in Humayun's Tomb in Delhi and Akbar's tomb in Sikandra - to its second phase, based on white marble and pietra dura inlay - most elegantly realized in the Taj Mahal.The profusion of delicate carving and inlay work makes the entire tomb look like an expensive jewel casket.

This white marble tomb is situated on the left bank of the Yamuna River and it is set in a large cruciform garden interspersed with water courses and walkways. The base of the tower is about 50 meter square and 1 meter high; the tomb is about 23 meters square and on each corner of the tomb are located hexagonal towers, which are about 13 meters tall. The walls of the tomb are built of white marble from Rajasthan embellished with semi-precious stone decorations that include cornelian, jasper, lapis lazuli, onyx, and topaz. The interiors of the tomb receive light from the delicate jali screens of intricately carved white marble. So come and admire the Itmad Ud Daulah's Tomb on your tours to the monuments in Agra, India with About Taj Mahal in Agra, India.

Jama Masjid

Another popular tourist attraction in Agra is the dome-shaped Jama Masjid, located near Itimad-ud-Daulah Tomb, The Jama Masjid in Agra holds the pride position of being India's largest mosque in History. The Jami Masjid (1644-58) or congregational mosque was constructed of red sandstone and white marble under the auspices of the emperor Shah Jahan in honour of Jahanara, his favourite eldest daughter. She was the favorite daughter of Shah Jahan and was imprisoned with him. The glorified purpose behind its formation explains its construction at a height. It also features a large courtyard where the faithful can gather to pray. Legend has it that Akbar occasionally swept the floor and gave azan, call for prayer here and on June 26, 1579, Akbar even read the khutba himself.

Delicately decorated with inscriptions, inlaid geometric patterns and colored tiles, the building is symmetrically proportioned and excels in its somber beauty, echoing its religious purpose. In contrast to this modest exterior, the interior boasts the most lavish embellishment in the floral arabesques and imaginative geometrical designs in brown, red, turquoise, black and white. The spacious courtyard adds a noble charm to the place. The shrine of the greatest Sufi religious leader Sheikh Salim Chisti lies within the mosque complex. It also features some of the finest lattice work in India. The main entrance to the Jama Masjid mosque in Agra, is through the majestic gateway known as the Buland Darwaza. The main gate of this mosque has inscription written on it that it was built by Jahanara Begum. This gateway, which stands 40 meters high, was constructed to commemorate Akbar's victory in the Kandesh military campaign. There is another magnificent gate known as the Badshahi Darwaza, which also has a beauty and grandeur of its own.

The absence of minarets and the shape of the dome give sit a distinguished character. It stands on a natural outcrop of rock which dominates the city and took 5,000 workmen six years to build. The mosque consisted of a courtyard surrounded by cloisters on its northern, southern and eastern sides while the western side was occupied by the prayer chamber. The eastern gateway was opened only for the emperor, or later the Governor-General.

It is the center of the city of Jama Masjid, which was built around it. To the right of the mosque lies the Jammat Khana hall and then the Zenana Rauza, or the tomb of the royal ladies. The structure itself is evidence of its importance as a sacred place of worship. Akbar's mausoleum, built of red sandstone and marble, combines the motifs and styles of Hindu, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Christian architecture. Supervised by Akbar himself.

When you visit the Jama Masjid, you can also have a look at the shrine of the Sufi religious leader Sheikh Salim Chisti, which is an example of some very amazing workmanship. The whole of Jama Masjid is exquisitely decorated with inscriptions, inlaid geometric designs and colored tiles. Yet, the monument manages to preserve its austerity. One of the most important tourist attractions in Agra, a visit to the Jama Masjid would really be a worthwhile experience.

Red Fort

Red Fort, popularly known as Lal Quila, is perhaps one of the most magnificent specimens of Mughal architecture which portrays their creative and artistic genius to the fullest. It took several decades to build this extraordinary monument. The credit for this work cannot be attributed to one person alone. Three emperors, Akbar, Jehangir and Shahjehan partook in the construction at different periods of time.This largest fort was built from 1618 AD to 1647 AD, under the Mughal Empire.

The Lal Qila (or Red Fort) has been a mute witness to innumerable conspiracies, scandals, battles..... it cost about ten million rupees , with about half the sum going towards the building of palaces.The red sandstone walls rise 33metres above the clamour of the Old Delhi as a reminder of the magnificent power and pomp of the Mughal emperors.

The city of Agra derived its present status as the city of Mughal architecture and landscapes when the Mughal Dynasty defeated the reigning Lodhis to establish the foundation of Mughal Empire. Agra became the capital under Babar, the first in the Mughal dynasty to rule India.

The fort is octagonal in shape, like most Islamic buildings in India. The north of the fort is connected to the smaller Salimgarh fort. The Red Fort is an intimidating structure. It measures 900m by 550m, with its rampart walls covering a perimeter of 2.41km. On the outside, you can still see the moat that was originally connected with the Yamuna River.

The Red Fort is to be entered by the Delhi Gate to the west, Besides the Delhi Gate, the entry point is the Hathipol (elephant gate), where the king and his visitors would dismount from their elephants Once inside, one sees the “Diwan-e-am” and the “Diwan-e-khas” which are pavilions where the king gave audience to the common people and the elite respectively. The “Rang Mahal” is a water-cooled apartment for the royal ladies and in the basement of the fort there is a market where one can buy traditional Indian goods at very competitive rates. The “Khas Mahal” and “Sheesh Mahal” are exquisitely ornamented halls, which portray the brilliance and splendor of Mughal royalty. There is also another entrance to the Red Fort, which is the “Lahori Gate”. This entrance leads to the well-known “Chandni Market”. In the evenings there is a special light and sound show organized for tourists which is a must see.

Even today, the Lal Quila is an eloquent reminder of the glory of the Mughal era, and its magnificence simply leaves one awestruck. It is still a calm haven of peace, which helps one to break away, from the frantic pace of life outside the walls of the Fort, and transports the visitor to another realm of existence.

The Red Fort finally became a symbol of Independence when Nehru unfurled Independent India’s tricolour flag from its ramparts on 15 August 1947. Every year, on the 15th of August, the National Flag of India is hoisted at the Red Fort by the Prime Minister , celebrating India's independence.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal in Agra is indisputably the Crown Palace of Mughal architecture. The beauty of white marbleLocated on the bank of a picturesque river, the structure is a sheer magic. Perhaps no other symbol epitomizes India as Taj Mahal. As Fergusson remarked, "it is the combination of so many beauties, and the perfect manner in which each is subordinated to the other that makes up a whole, which the word can not match and which never fails to impress even those who are most indifferent to the effects produced by architectural objects in general".

Taj Mahal, the epitome of love, is the ethereal symbol of an emperor's passion for the queen of his heart. A legendary monument, must to be seen in a lifetime.

The white-splendored tomb was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his favourite wife, Arjumand Banu Begum, better known as Mumtaz Mahal.The term Taj Mahal itself never occurs in any mogul court paper or chronicle even in Aurangzeb's time, which is weird, because a Monument like the Taj cant go unnoticed for 150 Years.
The unusual explanation of the term Tajmahal derives from Mumtaz Mahal, who is buried in it, is illogical in at least two respects viz., firstly her name was never Mumtaj Mahal but Mumtaz-ul-Zamani and secondly one cannot omit the first three letters "Mum" from a woman's name to derive the remainder as the name of the building. Since the lady's name was Mumtaz (ending with 'Z') the name of the building derived from her should have been Taz Mahal, if at all, and not Taj (spelled with a 'J').Sha Jahan had three wives and out of them Mumtaz was his real love. She had been the mother of 14 of his 16 children. Mumtaz Mahal possessed great reasoning power and self-respect in her manners. She was Sha Jahan's inseparable companion and counselor until her death. While breathing her last, Mumtaz Mahal took a promise from her beloved to build an edifice in memory of their love. And thus began the work of a monument that continues to attract millions of lovers even today.

Tragically those monument surroundings ultimately became Sha Jahan's prison. His son, Aurangzeb, seized the throne and imprisoned his father for the last eight years of his life. Legend maintains that Shah Jahan spent his final years locked in the Agra Fort, gazing from the Jasmine Tower of his marble palace, down the Yamuna River to the Taj Mahal, the tomb of his beloved wife. Tended by Jahanara, his eldest daughter, Shah Jahan was confined to the fort for eight years. According to legend, when Shah Jahan was on his deathbed, he kept his eyes fixed on the Taj Mahal where his beloved lies. After his death, Shah Jahan was buried there beside his dead queen, Mumtaz Mahal. Their love never separated them in life, miseries and finally in death. Taj Mahal synonymous with Mumtaz Mahal remains the eternal monument for their everlasting love.

Arguably, Taj is still India's most popular tourist attraction. Infact, for many outsiders visiting India, it is the most irresistible spot. This perfectly symmetrical edifice is set amidst landscaped gardens on the banks of Yamuna river. Built under the supervision of persian architect Ustad Isa, the building in white marble has the verses of the holy Quran inscribed on it, with the gate being crowned by 22 small doves. Constructed between 1631 (when Mumtaz Mahal died) and 1653, Shah Jahan had called experts from Europe, too namely Austin of Bordeaux and Veroneo of Venice. The two had a hand in the Taj Mahal's decoration.

The Taj Mahal has been constructed on a 313 square feet marble platform, enclosed within a high boundary wall with broad octagonal pavilions at the corners the most elegant dome has a diameter of 60 feet and a height of 80 feet. Pietra dura, semi precious stones inlaid into the marble in beautiful patterns, is perhaps at its best here. The jewel inlaid cenotaph of the queen lies within the dome. Set against the plain across the river Yamuna, that works its magic of colours that, through their reflection, change the view of the Taj Mahal, the tomb especially appreciated for its perfect proportions and exquisite workmanship. As they say about the Mughals in general, it has been "designed like giants and finished like jewellers".
The Makrana white marble of the Taj Mahal assumes subtle variations of light, tint and tone at different times of the day. At dawn it assumes a soft dreamy aspect; at noon, it appears to be a dazzling white, and in the moonlight the dome looks like a huge iridescent pearl. Not surprisingly, then, the Taj is today regarded all over the world as a supreme labour of love.
The most majestic monument of white marble narrating the tale of everlasting love. remains the supreme icon of India to the rest of the world, along with the over-population, notorious poverty, and "mysticism" of this ancient land. It is one of India's largest tourist-revenue earners, and no tourist image predominates as that of the visitor snapped in front of the Taj. The image of the Taj appears in countless advertisements, and the Taj has taken on another life of its own. Thus a history of the representations of the Taj is still wanting.