Agra is situated on the banks of the Yamuna river and it was the capital of India at the time of the Mughals in the 16th and 17th centuries. On a city tour of Agra you will visit the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Itimad Ud Daulah.

         

Taj Mahal

The Mughal emperors had a great passion for architecture and buildings that furnished Agra with the most beautiful Taj Mahal and the other magnificent buildings of the world. Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his beloved Mumtaz mahal. Taj counted among's the Seven Wonders of the World and the magnificent love story written with white stone. The most perfect architectural monument that recall the thousands of visitors all over the world every year. in the world. The massive Agra Fort was another attraction of Agra. Initially it was a military structure, with 2.5 Km long, 20 meter high double walls protecting its inhabitants. By Shah Jahan's reign it had partially become a palace. This rusty red sandstone fort stands like a crescent on the bank of Yamuna River. It is one of the finest forts in India and is a silent witness to the rise and fall of the imperial Mughal Empire. Visit its numerous palaces, pavilions and buildings that echo the story of Mughal Empire. Itmad-Ud-Daulah's tomb was built by Empress Nur Jahan, daughter- in-law of Emperor Akbar, in memory of her father Ghias-Ud-Din Beg, grandfather of Mumtaz Mahal, between 1622-28 AD.

Agra Fort

Perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world Agra Fort was built by Akbar in 1565 and this rusty red sandstone fort stands like a crescent on the bank of Yamuna river. It is one of the finest forts in India and is a silent witness to the rise and fall of the imperial Mughal Empire. Visit its numerous palaces, pavilions and buildings, which echo the story of Mughal Empire. Built by Akbar in 1564 and enlarged by the next three generations, the fort contains the Moti Masjid, Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, and Jehangir Mahal etc. - all of which are the fine examples of the Mughal architecture.

Itimad-Ud-Daulah

Itimad-Ud-Daulah's tomb was built by Empress Nur Jahan, daughter-in-law of Emperor Akbar, in memory of her father Ghias-Ud-Din Beg, grandfather of Mumtaz Mahal, between 1622-28 AD.

Fatehpursikri

Fatehpur Sikri, a red sandstone deserted city built by Akbar around 1570 to commemorate the birth of his son, is probably the best preserved and complete Mughal palace city of all where the halls, palaces and mosque are still in a state of perfection as are the tomb of Salim Chisti and the Buland Darwaza. Akbar used the highest quality craftsmen to Construct the city only to abandon it some years later because the water supply failed 24 miles south west of Agra lies the deserted sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri, built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1569 at the spot where Saint Salim Chisti, who foretold the birth of a son to the Emperor lived. To commemorate the event, Akbar shifted his Capital there and in a short span of time a complex of Forts, Palaces and Mosques sprang up. It is said that Englishmen who came to meet the Emperor at Sikri in 1583 could scarcely beleive their eyes for the glory and grandeur of the city.

Diwan-I-Am (Hall of public audience): More than 350 feet long, it consists of an alcove around a courtyard within which is the Hall of Judgement where Emperor Akbar sat. Behind the hall is the courtyard where the Emperor played chess using slave girls as living pieces.

Sikandra

Situated 8 kms from Agra on Delhi road, it has a tomb of Emperor Akbar built in white marble