A Glimpse into Agra Monuments

Agra is perhaps one of the most visited cities in India by both local and global travelers. This city draws in hordes of tourists daily as most of them flock in to see the beautiful Taj Mahal. But do you know there are also other grand monuments worth seeing in this historical city?

The present-day India and Pakistan were ruled throughout by the Mughal Empire during the 16th and 17th centuries, and Agra was the capital. One of the most fascinating contributions by this remarkable dynasty was the mark they left in their architecture.

Several of these buildings still stand today, and thousands of tourists will come to admire the sheer beauty of the Mughal architecture, which combined Islamic, Persian, Turkish, and Indian styles of the time.

These were some of the places I visited back in 2011, and they can be explored within 2-3 days.

Agra Fort

An example of Mughal architecture is the Agra Fort, and this massive red-sandstone fort was constructed in 1565. It was the imperial residence of the Mughals back in those days, and today, this amazing structure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah

Three kilometres north of Agra Fort, on the east bank of the Yamuna River, lies the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah. It was the first tomb in India that is entirely made of marble and has a special place in the chronicles of both history and architecture.

Commonly known as Baby Taj, it should be appreciated in its own right and not as a miniature version of the Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal

Built entirely of white marble and with distinct wide domes, the Taj Mahal is considered by many to possess architectural beauty unsurpassed by any other structure in the world. This mausoleum was built by the fifth Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, in the memory of his wife Mumtaz, whose grave is housed within the premises at the lower chamber.

Tip: Sunrise is probably the best time of the day to see the Taj Mahal.
It is not only to avoid the heat and the crowd, but also to enjoy the best view as the monument will majestically reveal itself.

Fatehpur Sikri

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fatehpur Sikri was also known as the City of Victory. Built by Akbar, the great emperor of the Mughal dynasty, this city served as the capital of the Mughal Empire during the 15th century.

The beautiful walled city, which included several royal palaces, a harem, courts, and a mosque, was extremely loved by the king himself. However, this city was later abandoned due to the scarcity of water, and in no time, became a ghost city.

Some of the grand structures found inside the city include:

Jama Masjid – This is not only one of the largest mosques in India but also one of the most beautiful mosques around the world. The entire mosque complex is built in the shape of a quadrangle, with the mosque itself standing on the western side.

The construction of the mosque marks a transition of Islamic art in India, where the blend of Persian and native elements is very much evident.

Buland Darwaza – This is the main entrance to the Jama Masjid and is also the highest gateway in the world.

Tomb of Salim Chishti – This is considered one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in India. Click here to understand the history behind why this mausoleum was constructed.

One will find countless prayer strings tied to the marble screens on the internal walls of the Tomb of Salim Chishti. This is because many devotees will come here to ask for the blessings of the saint and seek fulfillment of their wishes.

It is believed that tying a thread on these marble screens will serve as a constant reminder to the saint of their wishes. Interestingly, this tomb is also known for Child Birth Blessing.

Visit Other Destinations

As Agra is located in the heart of North India, a trip here can be combined with other destinations. Back then, I went to Jaipur and explored Rajasthan after my travels in Agra.

My alternative recommendation is to head to Varanasi. It is one of the oldest living cities on earth, and many people will travel there to watch the Ganga Aarti Ceremony, a river worship ritual that is held daily.