Agra is an astonishing city in the Uttar Pradesh state of the country. The city lies on the edge of the Yamuna River near the capital city of Delhi. It is a famous one-day holiday destination for the locals of the state as well as of Delhi. This city is known for its incredible monuments and historical landscape. However, you can witness the mesmerizing blend of Mughal and Hindu architecture on the monuments here. The city has a rich history described in Mahabharata as well as became famous after becoming the capital of the Mughal Empire.
Agra is a city that has numerous stories about its rulers and their victories. This city is one of the most developed locations in Uttar Pradesh. The city is also known as the Taj city. Because it houses the incredible as well as the immortal love story of Shah Jahan, The Taj Mahal. It is the second location of India’s Golden Triangle route after Delhi and Jaipur. Agra hosts thousands of tourists every year from across the world. To witness its historical monuments and their staggering backstories.
History of Agra
The history of Agra city is mostly about the rule of Mughals in the region. This was the golden period for the city because during this time it was the capital of the Mughal empire. However, many astonishing monuments were built here during this period. This city dates back to the early period of Mahabharata but it was founded by Sikander Lodhi in 1504. After his death, his successor Ibrahim Lodhi ruled the city but lost it to Mughal ruler Babur in 1526. Hence, the rulers of the Mughal dynasty took control of the city and made it their capital.
This was the golden era for the city as during this period many astonishing and incredible buildings were built by the rulers. Babur died in 1530 and his son Humayun took over the throne but lost it to Sher Shah Suri who ruled the city for a very short duration and Humayun again became the ruler of the city. After him, Akbar ruled the city for four decades and during this period he founded Fatehpur Sikri. Hence Agra was called Akbarabad in this period and the Mughals continued their rule till 1653 before Marathas took over the throne. The city was put into the hands of Britishers in 1800 and Agra’s Presidency by settling the British government in 1835.
Major tourist destinations
- Agra Fort :- It was constructed by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1573, commonly called the Red Fort in Agra. This place was the residence of the Mughal dynasty till 1638 and is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in the city. It is a must-visit tourist attraction here with astonishing architectural style. It is on the right side of River Yamuna and stands like a live fort to date.
- Fatehpur Sikri :- This town was the first planned town established by the Mughals about 37km away from the main city. Earlier the city was known as the capital of Akbar but the ruler abandoned the town due to scarcity of water in the region. Here you can visit the fort which is made of red stone having an incredible architecture. However, the town is home to many monuments like Jama Masjid, Jodha Bai Palace, and Buland Darwaza.
- Taj Mahal :- This is the epitome of love standing on the bank of river Yamuna in the city. This place needs no introduction as it is one of the seven wonders of the world. This breathtaking monument was built by Shah Jahan for his loving wife Mumtaz Mahal during the 17th century. However, this place is the finest example of Mughal architecture and undefined enameling done on its walls.
- Akbar’s Tomb :- This place is in Sikandra built between 1605 – 1615 which is on the outskirts of the city. The tomb was constructed in the foresight of Akbar himself till his death. It is a mesmerizing location having a green garden around the tomb and the tomb is made of white marble and sandstones. However, the special fact about this tomb is that this place is made facing in the direction of sunrise unlike the other tombs facing the Macca Masjid.
Attractions of the city
- Petha :- Agra is famous for its delicious Petha sweet in the entire nation. After the Taj Mahal, it is the thing that tourists must try after visiting the city. This dish was invented in the royal kitchen of Shah Jahan when he told his chef to make with as pure as the Taj Mahal. Then they made Petha with the perfect combination of fruits and sweet flavours. Basically, it is a kind of sweet candy made with pumpkin.
- Shopping :- Traveling is all about exploring and creating new memories for life. Therefore, visiting Agar and not buying the cultural and handmade items as a long-lasting memory is not a good idea. Also, the city is known for its beautiful Agra marble flower pots, lamps, leather goods, and ethnic garments along with handmade jewelry. Tourists can wander in the bustling markets here emitting the vibes of ancient traditional markets.
- Food :- It is not possible to leave the city without tasting the incredible local dishes of the region. However, in the city, you can try the royal cuisines of the Mughal period with the modern fusion of flavors. Being the Uttar Pradesh state the city also offers some unique dishes of the region along with the tangy and spicy flavours of the region. The city is famous for its local street food like Panipuri, Bhel, and many more.
- Gardens :- The city has some incredible gardens found during the Mughal dynasty. These gardens are designed with astonishing architectural style having different kinds of flowers. However, earlier these gardens were the resting places for the Kings and Queens who visit here to spend some peaceful time near the river. some of the most famous gardens of the city are Mehtab Bagh, Aram Bagh, and many others.
Best time to visit Agra
Mood is the best time to travel, explore, experience, and create. As it is said earlier there is no better time to visit somewhere, it is always when you are in the mood to travel. It is just some pre-knowledge about the favorable climate and weather of the location to have the best views. However, the best time to visit Agra is in the autumn and winter season. During this time the weather of the city is quite pleasant and perfect for sightseeing. As these are the months of October – March you can have some fantastic views of the astonishing monuments located here. Along with this, you can also spend your early mornings and evenings with your partners in the mesmerizing gardens of the city.
Conclusion
However, it can be concluded that visiting Agra is full of beautiful love stories and never-ending memories. This city of love has so much to explore about its rulers and their bravery. Here you can not only explore the ancient monuments but you can also taste the fantastic cuisines from the royal kitchens of the Mughal dynasty. The city is the powerhouse of tourist attractions and regional culture. Being one of the most famous tourist destinations of the country Agra hosts many events displaying the culture and traditions of India. Therefore, visiting the city is worth your holidays as you can also visit the nearby cities like Mathura, Vrindavan, Delhi, and Jaipur.
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