This is the land of India’s pride, the Taj Mahal, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a magnificent structure that attracts people from all over the globe. They come to Agra to behold this glorious expression of love by an emperor for his beloved. However, the Taj Mahal is not the only monument that signifies the grandeur of the city of Agra. There is more to this city than the legendary mausoleum that helps one revisit the eras that hide behind these structures.

Lying on the banks of the river Yamuna, this massive tribute to love and devotion, the Taj Mahal, is easily the most popular historic site in the country. A tourist’s visit to India is incomplete without paying a visit to this enormous marble structure guarded by the exquisitely carved four pillars, each embodying the devotion of the famous Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, for his Queen, Mumtaz Mahal. Today, standing as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, it took about 20,000 workers and 22 years for its construction. It is rumored that the emperor had the thumbs of the architects cut off after the completion of this grand project so that nothing even remotely similar could ever be created.

The Mausoleum of the Taj Mahal is placed within a walled garden. The tomb itself lies on a terrace and is completely enclosed in pure white marble. It forms a beautiful contrast against the red sandstone mosque while the four minarets stand guard around the four corners. All this is only further enhanced by the stretch of the water body that leads up to the entrance gate, which is a dome shaped chamber—a marvelous sight by itself.

In straight alignment with the Taj lies the Mehtab Bagh, which is a large, square shaped garden of approximately 300x300m and provides a splendid view of the Taj.

This fort was established by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD Until the reign of Shah Jahan, a number of additions were made to this glorifying fort, which rises over 20 m in height and 2.5 km in circumference and the inside of which gives you an image of a different city altogether. The fort is made out of red-sandstone but contains a variety of architectural usage inside. Most of the structures seen inside are made of white marble similar to the Taj Mahal. A number of eminent buildings are housed within the fort such as the, Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Shish Mahal, Musamman Burj (Akbar’s death place), Jehangir’s Palace, etc.

This sandstone and marble structure memorializes Akbar, the greatest Mughal Emperor and also perhaps one of the greatest rulers of the country. This mausoleum encloses ancient philosophical engravings of the Mughal times and is surrounded on each side by three storied, red sandstone minarets with enchanting marble inlay work.

This tomb was built by Shah Jahan’s father-in-law, Mirza Ghiyas Beg during 1622-1628 and resembled the tomb that Noor Jahan (his daughter) had built for her husband near Lahore in Pakistan. Famously called the Baby Taj, this structure may not be as magnificent as the original Taj but many of its designs actually presage the Taj.

This tomb structure is stark, with ancient Persian style architecture and is placated by glazed tiles and mirror work. It was built by Afzal Khan, a high official and poet in Shah Jahan’s court.

• Go fishing at Sur Sarovar Lake/Keetham Lake
• The Agra club at Mall road has a number of recreational facilities for tourists
• Guided excursions available for Fatehpur Sikri, Mathura, Vrindavan, Aligarh, Firozabad and Sur Sarovar Lake

Hotel Kamal, Taj Plaza, Hotel Host, Hotel Shahjahan, Shanti Lodge, Hotel Sheela, Hotel Sheela Inn, Hotel Pawan, Hotel Bawa Palace, Hotel Ranjit, Hotel Pawan, Hotel Sakura

Hotel Amar, Hotel Aashish Palace, Hotel Atithi, Amar Yatri Niwas, Clarks Chiraz Hotel, Taj view, Mansingh Place, Hotel Agra Ashok, Kant hotel, Hotel Ganga Ratan.

Mughal Sheraton, Amar Vilas.

• Canara Bank - Sadar Bazaar, Sanjay Place
• Allahabad Bank - Taj Road
• State Bank of India - Chhipitola (main branch), Sadar Bazaar (evening branch)
• Andhra Bank - Taj Road
• Bank of Baroda - M.G. Road
• Central Bank of India - M.G. Road
• Indian Overseas Bank - Fatehabad Road
• Punjab National Bank - Shahjadi Mandi

• Head Post Office, Opposite Power House bus station
• General Post Office, The Mall
• Foreign Postal Enquiry service
• Central Telegraph Office, The Mall

• Cantonment Hospital, Agra Cantt.
• Lady Lyall Hospital, Noori Gate Road
• District Hospital, M.G. Road
• S.N. Medical College, Hospital Road
  

• District Information Centre, Near Idgah bus stand
• Antique Registration Office, 19, MIG, New Shah Ganj
• Foreigners Regional Registration Office, 16 Idgah Colony
  

• Connected to most major cities within the country and the state by the railways. The four major railway Stations are Agra Cantt. Railway Station, Raja-ki-Mandi Railway Station, Tundla Railway Station and Agra Fort Railway Station. It is also well-connected to Mathura, Delhi, Chandigarh, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Jhansi and Chitrakoot by road
  

• Oswal Taj Khema Restaurant, Tel: 91-562-233 0140; 91-562-223 0001
• President Hotel, Tel: 91-562- 236 4266
• Eats Restaurant, Sadar Bazaar
• Capri Restaurant, Tel: 91-562- 222 2171
• Kwality Restaurant, Tel: 91-562-236 3848; 91-562-236 3524
• Dasa Prakash, Tel: 91-562-236 3368
• Sonam Restaurant and Bar, Tel: 91-562-263 8633
• Priya Restaurant, Tel: 91-562-236 0749
• Petals Restaurant, Tel: 91-562-226 4615
• Yash Hotel and Bar, Tel: 91-562-

The city came into prominence during the reign of the Afghan King, Sikander Lodhi, who used the city as his capital and the center for most of his activities. However, it was only when the Mughal Emperor Babur redesigned the architecture of the city that it grew to become the replenishing work of art that it is today. Through the Mughal rule, Agra, having been the capital of the Mughal Empire, witnessed a number of changes and gradually grew to become an important cultural and political center. Therefore, owing to this importance, the British East India Company chose this city as the core to form the North-West province that later united with the province of Oudh to form the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Today, Agra has become a modernized city with splendid architectural malls, pubs, luxury hotels and a center for tourist recreation. Yet, one cannot miss the aura of the past in the air amidst the obvious impact of modernization.