Agra - The City of taj
 AGRA
The City, better known as the 'City of the Taj' houses One of the seven
wonders. Of the world Taj Mahal, built by Emperor Shah Jehan in memory
of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal in 1630. Visit the Agra fort, once
the centre of Mughal empire, the seat of authority, saw four generations
of the Mughals adding their personal palaces and mosques to this massive,
but elegant citadel. Started by Emperor Akbar, the maze of courtyards,
mosque and private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughals
Empire. A clear reflection of the ancient Indian architecture and artisans.
 Agra
was the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries. While its significance
as a political center ended with the transfer of the capital to Delhi
in 1634 by Shah Jahan, its architectural wealth has secured its place
on the international map. A pleasant town with a comparatively slow
pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone
by craftsmen who are descendants of those who worked under the Mughals.
The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and
leather . Much of the city's impressive past lives in evidence even
today, in the hunting presence inside the monuments, the majesty of
the buildings, the exquisite arts and crafts and not to forget, the
lure of an exceptional cuisine… all, cherished as priceless legacies
of a nostalgic past. The older city of Agra has impressively retained
much of its resplendent history… captivating every visitor with
fond memories to take back home. Today, luxury and modern convenience
also exist adjacent to tradition - luxury hotels, shopping malls and
plazas, wide avenues and a superb choice of venues for recreation, business,
sports, pleasure, education and the arts.
Taj Mahal : A Glorious Heritage
Taj Mahal. Sheer poetry in marble. Majesty and magnificence, unrivalled.
The Taj Mahal, the one and only one of its kind across the world. The
monumental labour of love of a great ruler for his beloved queen. The
ultimate realisation of Emperor Shahjahan's dream. One of the wonders
of the world. From 1631 A.D., it took 22 years in the making. An estimated
20,000 people worked to complete the enchanting mausoleum, on the banks
of the Yamuna. For a breathtaking beautiful view of the Taj Mahal, see
it by moonlight. Open : 6 days a week (Closed on Friday's), Sunrise -
7.30 p.m.
In 1612, Arjumand Banu Begam, better known by her other name , Mumtaz
Mahal was married to Shah Jehan (then Prince Khurram), the fifth mughal
emperor. This marriage, although the emperor's second, was a real love-match,
and Mumtaz was her husband's inseparable companion on all his journeys
and military expeditions. She was his comrade, his counsellor, and inspired
him to acts of charity and benevolence towards the weak and the needy.
She bore him fourteen children, and died in childbed in 1630 (only three
years after his accession to the throne) in Burhanpur in the Deccan where
she had accompanied him on a military campaign. Overpowered by grief,
Shah Jehan was determined to perpetuate her memory for immortality and
decided to build his beloved wife the finest sepulchre ever - a monument
of eternal love. It was Shah Jehan's everlasting love for Mumtaz that
led to the genesis of the Taj Mahal. The sad circumstances which attended
the early death of the empress who had endeared herself to the people
inspired all his subjects to join in the emperor's pious intentions. After
twenty-two laborious years, and the combined effort of over twenty thousand
workmen and master craftsmen, the complex was finally completed in 1648
on the banks on the river Yamuna in Agra, the capital of mughal monarchs.
Agra-Accessibility
Air
Agra is well-connected to cities like Delhi, Khajuraho, Varanasi etc.
Kheria airport is 6 km from Agra town.
Rail
Agra is connected to the major cities of India. Agra Cantt. Railway
Station, Enquiries, Tel : 131. Reservation Tel : (0562)22364244, 22364611.
Agra Fort Railway Station, Enquiries, Tel : 132. Reservation, Tel :
(0562)2364131. Raja-ki-Mandi Railway Station, Enquiries, Tel : 133 Reservation
Tel : 2354477. Tundla Railway Station (26 km), Enquiries, Tel : 955612-229631.
Road
Agra is well-connected to the following cities by road : Mathura, Delhi,
Chandigarh, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Jhansi, Chitrakoot, etc. Agra's
distance by road, from the main cities is as follows : Delhi 203 km,
Khajuraho 393 km, Gwalior 118 km, Jaipur 237 km, Calcutta 1287 km, Varanasi
657 km, Mussoorie 417 km, Mumbai 1204 km.
UPSRTC Bus Stand, Idgah, Enquiries, Tel : (0562)2366588
UPSRTC Bus Stand, Opp. Power House, Enquiries, Tel : (0562)2364557.
Local Transport
City Bus Service : UPSRTC operates city buses to and from the main
archaeological sites.
Taxies : Air Conditioned/non air-conditioned taxis are available, without
meter, at the railway stations, airport, hotels and Partap Pura.
Other transport : Un-metered auto-rickshaws, tongas and cycle rickshaws
are available, rates of which are negotiable.
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