Agra: The Taj Mahal
Added: (Mon Jul 27 2020)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
#Sneak_and_peek_into_the_Architecural_History#
Located on the southern bank of the Yamuna River, Taj Mahal rises like a dream from the hazy, and often times chaotic city of Agra.
Got completed in the year 1653, the entire Taj complex is not only a testament to the beauty and genius of artisans of the bygone era, but is also known to carry a legacy with it.
The complex was a witness to 130 years of Mughal reign. If you want to step back in history and take a peek inside what that era looked like, go for a stroll inside the complex. From the magnificent Mughal architecture to cuisines sold outside the complex, everything has been inspired by the memorable era of the Mughals.
Agra: Red Fort
A UNESCO world heritage monument, Agra Red Fort stands as a glorious tribute to the erstwhile Mughal Empire’s heydays. Spread over a gigantic area of 3,80,000 sq. meters, this fort was built by Emperor Akbar in the year 1556, and later renovated in 1573 with red sandstone. The fort, which is at a distance of 2.2 km from Agra, is an absolute fortress, fortified on all sides with 70 feet high compound walls.
Referred to as the Walled City, Agra Fort has four gates on the four sides out of which the most famous being the Delhi Gate and the Lahore Gate.
This fort hosts numerous palaces and notable among them being the Shish Mahal and Khaas Mahal. Reception rooms Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Aam to several historic Masjids like Moti Masjid and Nagina Masjid are other worth seeing spots in this fort.
Fatehpur Sikri
Ah!!!the_next_her_comes_is_Akhbar’s_tomb_
As it is said Everyone has to die one day!!!
Akbar the Great built some majestic monuments in his lifetime and one of them was his tomb itself.
The task of commissioning your own tomb is part of the Turkic custom that Mughal’s adhered to.
He even selected the site where he wanted to be kept. His last resting place, Sikandra, is where Akbar’s Tomb is.
His son Jahangir completed the construction of his father’s tomb in 1613 and it was beautifully carved out of red sandstone.
Just a km away from Akbar’s Tomb is Mariam’s Tomb, who was Akbar’s wife and Jahangir’s mother.
Huh!!!Jumping_ont_the_next_one_
Fatehpur Sikri is the surviving monument that tells the tale of Emperor Akbar’s valour and great work. Fateh in Persian signifies victory.
The city survived and three of its walled sides are still intact. Akbar paid a keen interest in its architecture and layout, and it took about 15 years to plan and build it completely. After completion, Fatehpur Sikri had harems, palaces, courts, buildings, and a mosque.
If you had to pick one of the best architectural wonders of Fatehpur Sikri, then that would be the Buland Darwaza, a grand gateway to the walled city.
Made of red sandstone, there are 52 steps that lead up to its 175 feet high archway that has two inscriptions.
One of the first buildings to be constructed in Fatehpur Sikri was the Jama Masjid, a mosque built according to Indian mosque architecture.
It also houses the tomb of Salim Chishti, a great Sufi saint. Akbar, who was the founder of the faith Din-e-Ilahi, also constructed Ibadat Khana in Fatehpur Sikri which was used for meetings.
The Panch Mahal, a five-storey palatial structure, was made for the ladies, and the Naubat Khana had drummers who announced the entry of the emperor.
Despite the lavish architecture and careful planning, Fatehpur Sikri was abandoned in 1585.
This was because the lake that supplied water to the city dried up. As a visitor, it is worth marvelling at the beauty of what was once a magnificent city.
About 37 km away from Agra, Fatehpur Sikri is another UNESCO World Heritage Site which is undoubtedly one of the most famous tourist places in Agra.
Ram Bagh
finally_the_last_but_not_the_least!!!
The first of the eleven Mughal gardens to be built, Ram Bagh was Babur’s idea and was initially called Amar Bagh that translates to the garden of relaxation.
Built in 1528, Ram Bagh was one of the most serene places in Agra. It is situated on the banks of River Yamuna and is about 5 km away from the Taj Mahal.
The idea of the garden was inspired by a Persian garden that represents the Islamic idea of paradise.
Ram Bagh had lush greenery with a river flowing through it.
Mughal Emperor Babur didn’t just spend a lot of time in this garden.
It has two viewing pavilions that were built in such a way that the cool breeze from the Yamuna and the trees would keep them cool even during the peak summer season.