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Taj Mahal, Agra |
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Red Fort, Agra |
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Itmad-Ud-Daulah, Agra |
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Fatehpur Sikri |
India is a country steeped in history, and the remarkable fact is
that in spite of numerous foreign invasions both by rulers and
cultures, she still retains a unique flavour of her own. There is a great
architectural heritage in India and Agra, or Agraban, as it was
called in the Mahabarat times, a charmed city can boast of the
most splendid monuments in the world, including three world
heritage monuments.
Agra is a part of
Brijbhoomi the land associated with the birth and legendry
activities of lord Krishna. In Agra City there are five Shiva
temples which are the symbols of ancient culture.
Agra was the
capital city of Sikander Lodhi, the second ruler of the Lodhi
dynasty, who defeated by the Persian King Babur in 1526 A.D. Babur
too made Agra his capital city and so began the great Mughal rule.
it was Babur who build the first monument in Agra, a planned
garden garden called Gul-e-Afgaan or the Aaram Baugh.
After Babar in
(1530 AD) HUMAUN took over the thrown of Agra. Sher Shah Soori
also continued Agra as his Capital.
During the rule
of Akbar (1556 to 1605 A.D.) Agra earned fame all over the world
and was counted one of the great and beautiful cities of Medinal
India. Emperor Akbar constructed many beautiful buildings. In the
premises of famous Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort. During his rule
people of all caste and religion living friendly upon which Akbar
declared the concept of "Sulah Kul" in making the personality of
Akbar the great his "NAVARATANS" Raja Man Singh, Raja Toder Mal
Hakeem Lukman, Raja Birbal, Mullah-Do-Pyaza, Abdul-Fazal-Feuzi,
Abdul Rahim Khana Khan and Miyan Tan Sen Played an important role.
For developing
feeling of harmony and brotherhood among the people of various
religions, Akbar started new religion named Deen-E-Elahi.
Sikandra and
Etmad-Ud-Dowla are the famous buildings of Jahangiri period.
World famous Taj
Mahal was constructed by Shahjahan in the sweet memory of his
beloved queen Mumtaj Mahal. Agra earned the world fame due to Taj
Mahal. Shah Jahan's period was remembered as a golden period for
construction of good buildings and for their beautifications.
During the British period Agra was
made a District in 1805 A.D. and a Collector was posted Agra
presidency was founded in 1833 A.D. During Agra persidency in 1835
A.D. Weatern - North border Province which is known as United
province was formed of which Agra remained Capital upto 1857 A.D.
After 1857 A.D. mutiny the capital of United Province was shiffted
from Agra to Allahabad. After this Agra remained only
Commissionary which still continuing.
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PLACES OF INTEREST ARE:
Taj Mahal: It has been described as 'A tender elegy in
marble'. One of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal is
the finest example of symmetry and balance in architecture and is
now on the World Heritage list. It was built by the Mughal Emperor
Shah Jehan as the final resting place for his beloved Queen,
Mumtaz Mahal. Done in white marble, it took 22 years and over
20,000 workers and craftsmen to complete this rhapsody in stone
(1630-52 AD). The main structure is set amidst landscaped gardens.
While on three sides it is surrounded by high walls, the rear is
bound by the river Yamuna.
Agra Fort: Few forts in the world have a more fascinating
story to tell than the Great Fort of Agra. Originally planned as
an impregnable military structure by Akbar, the Agra Fort, over a
period of time, acquired all the elegance, lavishness and majesty
of an imperial palace. Situated 1 km upstream of the Taj Mahal, on
the right bank of the Yamuna, the Agra fort was built under the
direction of Akbar, by Mohammed Quasim Khan, his
commander-in-Chief and Governor of Kabul. It took eight years to
complete and entailed an expenditure of three and a half million
rupees.
Itmad-Ud-Daulah: About 4 km North of the Taj, on the left
bank of the Yamuna, is the perfectly proportioned marble mausoleum
Itmad-ud-Daulah. Noor Jehan constructed this splendid marble
monument in her father's memory. This double storied marble tomb
is replete with mosaic, inlaid with semi-precious stones.
Chini Ka Rauza: This was
constructed by Afzal Khan - a high official in the court of
Shahjahan. Decorated by glazed tiles on the façade, the structure
clearly depicts the Persian influence in architecture.
Jama Masjid: This building,
with a rectangular open forecourt was constructed in 1648 AD by
Shahjahan's daughter, Jehanara Begum in memory of the famous
Sheikh Salim Chishti and his grandson Islam Khan. Of particular
importance is its wonderful assimilation of Iranian architecture.
Ram Bagh: One of the earliest
Mughal gardens, it was laid out by Emperor Babar - the founder of
the Mughal dynasty. It is said that Babar was temporarily buried
here before being permanently interred at Kabul in Afghanistan.
Mariyam's Tomb: This unique tomb in red sandstone was built
in 1611 A.D. in memory of Emperor Akbar's Goan-Christian wife -
Mariyam. The tomb has some exceptional carvings.
Kinari Bazaar: The alleys of this
old marketplace, start near the Jama Masjid. There are several
distinct areas which are relics of the Mughal period, although
they don't always bear relation to what is sold there today. The
Loha Mandi (Iron Market) and Sabzi Mandi (Vegetable Market) are
still operational, but the Nai ki Mandi (Barber's Market) is now
famous for textiles. Something entirely different is for sale in
the Malka Bazaar, where women beckon passing men from balconies.
In the butcher's area next to the leather market, watch out for
the festering animal skins that are piled high in the streets.
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EXCURSIONS:
Dayal Bagh (12 km): Situated
12 km from the hotel, this is the headquarter of the Radhasoami
religious sect, founded in 1861 by Shri Shiv Dayal Singh, also
known as Swamiji Maharaj. Being built to commemorate the Supreme
Creator, this tall, unfinished façade of marble, lined with
exquisitely carved pillars and panels, was estimated to cost about
five million rupees when it was conceived. Today, the cost of work
finished and work still to be done will run into ten million.
About 500 devotee stay in the colony adjoining the samadhi. It is
claimed that is may rival the Taj Mahal in splendor when it is
completed.
Sikandra (8 km): Sikandra is 8 km north-east on the Agra-Delhi road. It is
one the same side of the river Yamuna as the Taj. Sikandra was
built in 1492 by Sikander Lodhi, a ruler of one of the last
dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate. Akbar, in his time, ordered the
construction of Sikandra again, this time as a site for his
mausoleum but he died before it could be completed. The work was
completed by his son Jehangir in 1613. The tomb is a combination
of Muslim and Hindu architectural styles. The building of red
sandstone is four storeys tall, approximately 31 metres in height.
The first three storeys are of red sandstone, while the fourth is
entirely of marble.
Mathura (10 km): Holy Mathura, about 55 km from Agra and 10 km south of
Bridavan on the west bank of the Yamuna, is believed to be the
birthplace Lord Krishna, who is said to have been born in a prison
here. Mathura is one of the oldest cities in India, much older
than even Agra. Its history can be traced back prior to the days
of the Maurya dynasty, which ruled from 325 BC to 184 BC.
Fatehpur Sikri (37 km): Fatehpur Sikri, about 37 km south-west of Agra, was
built by the side of an artificial lake about 3 km long and 1.6 km
wide. Still perfectly preserved, this complex of palaces, mosques,
gardens and pavilions is a rich legacy of the Mughal era. You can
stroll through the Emperor's bedroom, climb to the top of the
Panch Mahal, the five tiered palace and look down on the Pachisi
courtyard. Then move to the Anup Talau, the sandstone platform on
a pond, where Mian Tansen once sang. And no trip is complete
without a visit to Salim Chisti's Dargah, where you can tie a
thread on the latticework of its walls and make a quiet wish.
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (60 km): Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is situated 60 km
from Agra. During the season, cormorant, darter, spoonbill, egret,
stork and black ibis are found in large numbers. In winters,
migrant birds from as far as Siberia and Northern Europe collected
here. Dabchicks, pheasant tailed jacanas, moorhens and coots find
their natural surroundings here.
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FAIRS & FESTIVALS:
Taj Mahotsav, Agra: A
festival of art, craft, culture and celebrations. Organised by U.P.
Tourism, it is held every year between 18th -27th February.
Janmashthami & Krishna Leela:
Janmashtami, the birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great
devotion in the August/September months, on the Ashtami of Krishna
Paksh or the 8th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadon,
in the whole of north India.
Temples and homes are beautifully decorated and lit. An attractive
feature of the celebrations are cribs & other decorations
depicting stories of Lord Krishna's childhood. There are five main
"jhankis" of Janmashtami which depict the entire sequence of
events from Lord Krishna's birth to his being discovered in Gokul.
The "jhankis" include the birth of Krishna in jail, Vasudev
carrying Krishna to safety across the river Yamuna amidst thunder
and lightning, Vasudev's return to the jail, Kansa killing
Yashoda's daughter and finally the little Krishna in the cradle in
Gokul. "Jhankis" are created out of dolls dressed up as kids, men
and women with lehangas, chunnis, dhotis & kurtas.
Raslila of every type are also performed - Janmalila, Shankarlila,
Putnalila and Naglila. In the evening bhajans are sung which end
at midnight, the auspicious moment when Lord Krishna was born.
Thereafter arti is done, prasad distributed and flowers showered
on the idol.
SHOPPING:
Agra is well known for leather
goods, jewellery, durries weaving and marble items inlaid with
coloured stones, similar to the pietra dura work on the Taj.
Sadar Bazaar and the area south of Taj Ganj are full of emporiums
of one kind or another, but prices here are more expensive than in
the bazaars of the old part of the city.
The best jewellery shops are around Pratapur, also in the old part
of Agra, though you can still pick up precious stones cheaper in
Jaipur (Rajasthan).
About a kilometre along the road running from the eastern gate of
the Taj is Shilpgram, a crafts village and open-air emporium. It
has displays of crafts from all over the country. Prices are
certainly on the high side, but the quality is good and the range
hard to beat. |
