Agra

Agra's Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world and has been declared a World Heritage Site. It is the mausoleum of Shah Jahan's favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is closed for visitors every Friday in observance of Muslim holy day. Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned it as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Construction began in 1632 and was completed in 1648. Some dispute surrounds the question of who designed the Taj; it is clear a team of designers and craftsmen were responsible for the design, with Ustad Isa considered the most likely candidate as the principal designer.

The Taj Mahal (sometimes called "the Taj") is generally considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements of Persian and Indian. While the white domed marble mausoleum is the most familiar part of the monument, the Taj Mahal is actually an integrated complex of structures. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 when it was described as a "universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage".

The focus of the Taj Mahal is the white marble tomb. Like most Mughal tombs, the basic elements are Persian in origin: a symmetrical building with an iwan, an arch-shaped doorway, topped by a large dome.

The tomb stands on a square plinth. The base structure is a large, multi-chambered structure. The main chamber houses the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz (the actual graves are a level below).

The base is essentially a cube with chamfered edges, roughly 55 metres on each side (see floor plan, right). On the long sides, a massive pishtaq, or vaulted archway, frames the iwan, with a similar arch-shaped balcony above. These main arches extend above the roof of the building by use of an integrated facade.

To either side of the main arch, additional pishtaqs are stacked above and below. This motif of stacked pishtaqs is replicated on the chamfered corner areas.

The design is completely uniform and consistent on all sides of the building. Four minarets, one at each corner of the plinth, facing the chamfered corners, frame the tomb.

Exterior decoration

• Calligraphy on large pishtaq
• Calligraphy on large pishtaq

Nearly every surface of the entire complex has been decorated. The exterior decorations of the Taj Mahal are among the finest to be found in Mughal architecture of any period.

Once again, decoration motifs are repeated throughout the complex. As the surface area changes -- a large pishtaq has more area than a smaller -- the decorations are refined proportionally.

The decorative elements come in basically three categories:

• Calligraphy
• Abstract geometric elements
• Vegetative motifs

The decorative elements were created in three ways:

• Paint or stucco applied to the wall surface
• Stone inlay
• Carvings
• Calligraphy

Agra's dominant structure, the Agra Fort (also called the Red Fort), was built by Akbar in 1565. The red sandstone fort was renovated and converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time, and reworked extensively with marble and pietra dura inlay. Notable buildings in the fort include the Pearl Mosque, the Diwan-e-Am and Diwan-e-Khas (halls of public and private audience), Jehangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal (mirrored palace), and Musamman Burj.

Fatehpur Sikri :Fatehpur Sikri is a World Heritage Site. This city generally captures the imagination and wonder of all who experience its urban spaces and see its buildings. It is here, that the legends of Akbar and his clever courtier Birbal must have arisen. Another of his navratnas, Tansen, perhaps had performance spaces integrated within the architecture of this fort.

Some of the important buildings in this city, both religious and secular buildings, are: Naubat Khana – Drum house, Diwan-i-Am – Hall of Public Audience, Diwan-i-Khas – Hall of Private Audience, Raja Birbal's house: the house of Akbar's favourite minister, Jodhabai's palace, Panch Mahal: A five-storied palacial structure, Buland Darwaza – the 'Gate of Magnificence', Jama Masjid: the mosque, Tomb of Salim Chisti.

Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb : Empress Nur Jehan built Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb, sometimes called the Baby Taj, for her father, Ghias-ud-Din Beg, the Chief Minister of Emperor Jahangir. Small in comparison to many other Mughal-era tombs, it is sometimes described as a jewel box. Its garden layout and use of white marble, pietra dura, inlay designs and latticework presage many elements of the Taj Mahal.

Sikandra Akbar's Tomb : Sikandra, the last resting place of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, is only 13 kilometres from the Agra Fort. Akbar's tomb reflects the completeness of his personality. The vast, beautifully carved, red-ochre sandstone tomb is set amidst a lush garden. Akbar himself planned his own tomb and selected a suitable site for it. To construct a tomb in one's lifetime was a Tartary custom which the Mughals followed religiously. Akbar's son Jahangir completed the construction of this pyramidal tomb in 1613

The four minarets on the splendid gateway, striking inlay work of white marble on red sandstone, and perfect calligraphic ornamentation are still grand. The unique pyramidal tomb structure is topped by an open terrace contained within large panels of jail screens. The portico in front of the grave in the basement is covered with the most lavish stucco paintings in gold, blue, brown and green colors, unsurpassed in splendor by any Mughal building. Close by stands the red sandstone sample baradari-the tomb of Mariam Zamani, Jahangir's mother.

Agra Excursions

Jama Masjid

A large mosque attributed to Princess Jahanara Begum, built in 1648 during the reign of father Shah Jahan. Notable for its unusual dome and absence of minarets.

Chini Ka Rauza

A monumental tomb, notable for its dome of blue glazed tiles, dedicated to the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan, Allama Afzel Khal Mullah Shukrullah of Shiraz.

Aalsi (Lazy) Bagh

The oldest Mughal garden in India, the Aalsi Bagh was built by the Emperor Babur in 1528. It lies about 2.34 kms north of Taj Mahal. It is famous for being the place where Emperor Akbar proposed to his third wife, who was a gardner at that place, by lying idle over there for 6 days until she agreed to marry him. Thus the place got its name, Aalsi Bagh or Aaram Bagh.

Soami Bagh Samadh

The Soami Bagh Samadh is the mausoleum of Huzur Soamiji Maharaj (Shri Shiv Dayal Singh) in the Dayalbagh section in the outskirts of the city. He was the founder of the Radhasoami Faith and the Samadh is sacred to its followers. Construction began in 1908, and it is believed that construction will never end. It is often seen as the "next Taj Mahal". The carvings in stone, using a combination or coloured marble, is life-like and not seen anywhere else in India. The picture shown is taken from the backside and shows only two floors. When completed, the samadh will have a carved dome and a gateway.

FESTIVALS

KAILASH FARE

Held at Kailash about 12 k.m. from Agra in the month of August/September. It is a major fair celeberated in honour of Lord Shiva who is belived to have appeared here in the form of stone Lingam.

SHEETLA FAIR

It is held near Delhi Gate in July/August month.

BATESHWAR FAIR

A month long festival is held annualy during the month of November at the place called Bateshwar, Which is about 65 k.m. from Agra.

URS (FATEHPUR SIKRI)

This fair is organised at Sheikh Salim Chistti's Dargah during the month of Ramzan.

RAM BARAT