Agra Excursions

Agra's tourist attractions are not just limited to the Taj Mahal. However it has to be admitted that the Taj overshadows everything else. But it sure has a competitor in the Agra Red Fort, an elegant military structure constructed by Akbar but partially converted into a palace by Shah Jahan. This palace offers a grand view of the Taj Mahal across the Yamuna River. You can also visit the Itmad-ud-Daulah tomb, which displays some very exquisite carvings. Akbar's mausoleum at Sikandarabad is also a peaceful place to visit. Other tourist attractions in Agra include the Rambagh and Dayalbagh Gardens, Chini ka Rauza and the Jama Masjidthat give you a feel of Agra's rich past.

If you want some more fun and adventure, you could always drive to some of the tourist hotspots in the neighboring states of Uttar Pradesh. The Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, situated at a distance of 70 kilometers from Agra is one of the most popular places to go on excursions from Agra. Another popular getaway is Vrindavan located at a distance of 55 kilometers from Agra. If you are willing to go further, you can travel to the 'pink city' of Jaipur in neighboring Rajasthan, which is perhaps the most colorful place to visit in India.

Agra Fort
Akbar built this grand military structure in 1565, which occupies the very center of the city of Agra. In fact, after the Taj Mahal the Agra Fort is the second most popular tourist site in Agra. Even though this 20 meter high fort was mainly constructed for military purposes, Shah Jahan converted a part of it into a comfortable palace during his reign. The Amar Singh Gate is the only entrance to the Agra Fort, which also offers a magnificent view of the Taj Mahal across the Yamuna River.

Even though public access is limited to the southern wing of the fort, it is more than enough to get a feel of the glorious Mughal period. It may be mentioned that this fort was the very place where his son Aurangzeb imprisoned Shah Jahan for 7 years till his death. The fort houses some very elegant halls and royal pavilions, the Diwan-i-Aam and the Diwan-I-Khas halls being the most important ones. The fort also has some very beautiful mosques and palaces that were mostly built by Shah Jahan. The Sheesh Mahal
and the Khas Mahal are two of the most beautiful palaces within the fort. Don't forget to have a look at the Anguri Bagh (the Grape Garden), which is really a treat to the eyes.

The Mussaman Burj tower, which boasts of a beautiful marble balcony, is another place to be visited within the fort. The most touching aspect of this place is that Shah Jahan breathed his last here as he continued to gaze at his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal's tomb, the Taj Mahal.


Fatehpur Sikri
One of the finest examples of Mughal architectural splendor, the city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar during 1571 to 1585 AD. Akbar had originally planned this city as his capital, but an acute shortage of water forced him to abandon the city after 12 years. Today, Fatehpur Sikri is a ghost town, but still retains its old charm and beauty.

There are some fine monuments within this area like the Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal, Buland Darwaza and the tomb of Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti. Fatehpur Sikri also boasts of the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques In India. Another very interesting feature at Fatehpur Sikri is the mammoth chessboard, where human figures were used as chess pieces and moved at the emperor's will.

The Fatehpur Sikri has been predominantly built in red sandstone and comes across as a very beautiful place that captures all the glory and splendor associated with the Mughal era. In fact, a visit to Agra can never be complete without visiting the Fatehpur Sikri, which has always been a out of the world experience for tourists. If you want to linger on after the crowds disperse, try watching the sunset over the ruins, which would add up to a very beautiful experience.


Itimad Ud Daulah's Tomb
The first example of a tomb built on a riverbank in India, the Itimad Ud Daulah tomb houses the body of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, the father Mughal Empress Noor Jahan who again was Emperor Jahangir's wife. This beautiful tomb situated on the banks of the Yamuna is also known as the 'baby Taj'. Built around 1625 AD, the Itimad Ud Daulah Tomb, has many features that were later incorporated during the construction of the Taj Mahal. Interestingly, the carvings on this monument are said to be even better than that of the Taj.

Another distinguishable feature of this tomb is that it has been built in the Central Asian pattern of a domed structure complete with a formal garden, waterways and paths laid out in a geometrical pattern. The Itimad Ud Daulah's tomb, built in pure marble is also the first Mughal structure to make extensive use of the Pietra Dura style of inlay work. One of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Agra, the Itimad Ud Daulah would really be an interesting experience for tourists.

Rambagh Gardens
The Rambagh Gardens in Agra has the distinction of being one of the first Mughal pleasure gardens in India. Laid out by Babur, the first Mughal Emperor, the Rambagh Gardens are located 3 km away from the Tomb of Itimad Ud Daulah and 500 meters away from the Chini ka Rauza. The Persian influence can be well discerned in the layout of the garden that was designed in such a way as to resemble paradise (in Islam the garden is considered to be a representation of Paradise).

Also known as the Bagh-i-Gul Afshan, the garden is laid out in the charbagh pattern with four main divisions made by paths and waterways. A number of fountains, channels and waterways adorn the magnificent Rambagh Gardens, which draws its water from the Yamuna River. Noor Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir, made a number of additions to the Rambagh Gardens gardens, which have survived till date. Another interesting feature of this garden is that Emperor Babur was supposed to have been buried here for a brief while before being entombed in his mausoleum in Kabul

Akbar's Tomb at Sikandara
Akbar's tomb at Sikandara is one of the most important tourist attractions in Agra. Emperor Akbar started the construction of this tomb himself, which was later completed by his son Jahangir. This beautiful tomb is a grand affair built in the Indo-Saracenic style with a variety of exquisite carvings and designs covering it. The tomb boasts of a huge gateway named Buland Darwaza, which has been modeled on its famous namesake in Fatehpur Sikri. The decoration on the gateway is strikingly bold, with its large mosaic patterns. Akbar's tomb at Sikandara is surrounded by a beautiful garden enclosure laid out in the charbagh style.

The splendid gateway is adorned with four minars and displays some striking inlay work of white marble on red sandstone. You can also observe some beautifully executed calligraphic ornamentation that is a treat to the eyes. An open terrace contained within large panels of jail screens adds to the austere beauty of this unique structure. Lavish stucco paintings in gold, blue, brown and green colors adorn the portico in front of the grave at the basement. Close by stands the red sandstone sample baradari-the tomb of Mariam Zamani, Jahangir's mother.