Agra Tours

The City of Mughals: Agra

If you have read The Fountainhead and been a fan of the headstrong character of Howard Roark, then you would remember him saying this – “A building has integrity, just as a man and just as seldom! It must be true to its own idea, have its own form, and serve its own purpose.” Exactly what reminds me when I see the surreal, yet majestic beauty of one of the Seven Wonders of the World – The Taj Mahal.

Akbarabad, popularly known as Agra, is a small city in northern Uttar Pradesh in North India. Taj Mahal, declared as a world heritage site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1983 is the beauty spot of Agra, a city which lays foundation to some of the most stunning pieces of architecture.

Sultan Sikandar Lodhi founded this city in the year 1504. It was then ruled by his son Ibrahim Lodhi, who lost the first battle of Panipat to Akbar in 1524.  So, to cut a long story short, it was Emperor Shahajahan, the grandson of Akbar who built the white marble wonder in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It was common in that era to build such gigantic marvels in the memory of one's dearly beloved.

History has its complications and years behind it, but Agra's architectural importance grows on you once you ‘do a little background check’ on it. Before we dive into the intricacies of what a magnificent monument Taj Mahal is, I would like you to note that there's a lot more that just one tombstone.

The Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandara, Itmad-ud-daula and the lesser-known monuments standing proud makes you believe why you grow fond of a house which you spent your life decorating, pressing on every small detail.

If you’re a tourist embarking on a journey by placing yourself on the map in Delhi, then the best way to travel is by train. The Taj Express leaves the Hazrat Nizamuddin station at 7.10 in the morning and promptly reaches Agra Cantt at 10.10 a.m. From the station, you can negotiate/book a good guide and taxi for an entire day.

A 3-hour long journey, covering around 250 kms could be a boulevard of broken streets once you cross the highway (no.2). But you can get a good deal if you plan to return to Delhi by the end of day. But if you are a long vacationer on a sabbatical (the type which is experimental, adventurous and wants to discover every place in depth), then you might want to unravel the precious architectural gem that Agra is.

The best time to visit Agra is from October to March. Escaping the hot months, this time saves you on account of several wet towels. With the sun not playing moody, you can get some really wonderful shots of all the monuments in the slight sun-kissed weather and sepia-mode lighting.

The Taj Mahal: From Sunrise to Sunset

Despite its historic significance and a few gory details, Taj Mahal is an awe-inspiring edifice which demands your attention the moment you set your eyes on it. You can either begin your journey spectacularly with it or save it for the last. There's a day fee and a night fee (marginal difference).  Either way, make sure you have battery backup for your faithful cameras. Spent an entire day in this magnificent building (Recommended for amateurs: The moonlit beauty of Taj Mahal surpasses the bright-lit captures of the morning.) Avoid Fridays since it’s closed for visitors.

Tip: Reach as early as possible if you don't want to spend the next hour standing in a queue. Or, there's backdoor entry for some if you don’t wish to wait in the long line and you can shell out monies.

Agra Fort

Legend has it that this fort has witnessed the outset of the British East India Company's rule in India in 1857. Located in the heart of Agra, this fort was renovated by Shah Jahan, Akbar’s grandson. Located north-west (2.5 km) of the Taj Mahal, a spot from the fort makes for a spectacular view of the seventh wonder.

Fatehpur Sikri

Build by Akbar, this photogenic city was originally called Fatehbad. Situated about 39 kms from Agra, the city is commemorated to Sufi Saint Salim Chisti, later rechristened Fatehpur Sikri. The entire city is surrounded by an 11 km wall and is a melting pot of three different architecture styles namely Indian, Persian and Islamic. The Buland Darwaja, Jama Masjid, the Tomb of Salim Chisti, Diwan-e-Khaas and Panch Mahal which are few known structures inside the four walls might reminds you of Disney's Arabian Nights and its panoramic view.

Towards the end of your Agra visit, you would be left amazed by the volatility of time spent in viewing the City of Mughals which constitutes some of the most beautiful marvels ever created.

Imagine a Taj Mahal in black marble standing across the river, opposite its counterpart; called The Myth of the Black Taj Mahal, Shahjahan planned to build another tomb for him. Unfortunately for us, it remained a myth till date.

All said and done, an India visit is incomplete without paying a visit to the much-clichéd phrase –the symbol of love. On a conclusive note, I would like to quote Roark again:

“The great creators, the thinkers, the artists, the scientists, the inventors, stood alone against the men of their time. Every new thought was opposed. Every new invention was denounced. But the men of unborrowed vision went ahead. They fought, they suffered, and they paid - but they won. “

Yes, Shahjahan won. He created a masterpiece.