Agra and the Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal of India

The Taj Mahal is one of the world’s most iconic and beautiful buildings. It’s located in the city of Agra, in Uttar Pradesh, only 200 kilometers south of New Delhi. This monumental structure was built in the 17th century to serve as a mausoleum for the wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It is one of the most exemplary pieces of Islamic architecture in the world and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The complex receives millions of visitors each year and it is almost always crowded. The best time to visit is shortly before sunrise, as this is when the crowds are at their smallest. Sunset is also a good time to visit and the beauty of the Taj Mahal during these times is almost too beautiful to describe. The site opens every morning (except Fridays) at 6 am and closes at 7:30 pm. The entry fee is 750 Indian Rupees for foreigners (about $15). When there’s a full moon the Taj is also open at night and if it’s a clear night, the experience is truly breathtaking.

   A man praying in front of the Taj Mahal at sunrise.

The Taj Mahal has a huge reputation and it is one of the few places in the world that manages to surpass already enormous expectations. While visiting the Taj Mahal complex once may be enough for any one trip to Agra, that doesn’t mean there won’t be time to take in its beauty throughout the rest of your trip. There are many hotels and guest houses located to the south of the Taj Mahal that have rooftop restaurants that offer excellent views. Also the Mehtab Bagh Botanical Gardens are located just across the river from the Taj Mahal and are a quiet place to take in unobstructed views of the complex.

The Taj Mahal at sunrise as seen from the Mentab Bagh Gardens.

Agra Fort

While most tourists come to Agra for the Taj Mahal, that doesn’t mean the city is a one-trick pony. Another big attraction in the city is the Agra Fort. Located only a few kilometers from the Taj Mahal, this fort is the equivalent of a large walled city. It’s built in a traditional Mughal style, reminiscent of some of the forts in neighboring Rajasthan, with walls 70 feet high!

A crowd of people entering the Agra Fort through a gate in its massive walls.

The fort has a tragic legend associated with it. After commissioning the construction of the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan was later deposed by his own son and imprisoned in the Agra Fort. He spent the rest of his life locked in the Muasamman Burj tower, staring out at the Taj Mahal just below the hill.

Transportation

Agra is one of India’s most accessible cities. It lies on the rail route between Delhi and Mumbai, with trains taking as little as 2 hours to Delhi. Jaipur in Rajasthan can also be reached via train, and is located 4 hours to the west. Buses are another way to travel and there are regular departures from both Delhi and Jaipur. Agra also has an airport with domestic connections to Delhi and Jaipur.

As in most Indian cities, getting around Agra usually involves a mish-mash of walking, taxis, motorcycles and tuk-tuks.

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The Qutub Minar of Delhi

Qutub Minar in Delhi

Qutub Minar is the pride of Delhi. The tall minaret was constructed in 1192 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak, and later completed by his successor Iltutmish. The soaring conical tower is an exquisite example of Indo-Islamic Afghan architecture.

Qutub Minar is a World Heritage Site and has survived the ravages of time impressively. The Minar of Delhi is surrounded by a lush green garden, which is an ideal leisurely place for visitors. Qutab Minar is the favourite destination of tourists. It is India's most visited monument attracting around 3.9 million visitors every year.

The 5 storied Qutub Minar has 379 steps

Each of the 5 storeys and tower of Qutub Minar has unique designs.

It was hit by lightening couple of times and was damaged. The subsequent rulers repaired it. Thus it is standing mightily as it was before till date.

Qutab Minar is a great masterpiece of Mughal architecture. The base of the Qutub Minar measures 14.32 meters and the top of the structure measures 2.75 meters. The bird eye's view of Delhi city from the top is amazing. The base of first storey has alternate angular and circular flutings, the second one is round. The third storey of the Qutub Minar has angular flutings. The balconies projecting out heighten the beauty of the Minar.

The tower is so high that around 379 steps are needed to be climbed to reach the top. Another taller tower adjacent to Qutub Minar is named Alai Minar which is somewhat tilted in one direction.

The verses from the holy Qur'an are carved on sandstone walls of Qutub Minar. This monument serves the purpose of calling people for prayer in the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque. This is a tower of victory, a monument that signify the might of Islam, or a tower for keeping a check for defense.


Tourist attractions near Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar has some adjoining structures that lend shine of some of its fame. The Qutub complex houses the iron wonder nearby. The Iron Pillar is one of the metallurgical interests of the world. It is a thing to study as well as famous tourist destination. Traditionally people believe that if anyone standing in front of pillar with his back towards the column can encircle it with their arms, all his wishes will be fulfilled. Government has built a fence around it for safety.

An earthquake damaged top two floors of the minar during the rule of Firoz Shah; but was repaired by Firoz Shah himself. He built marble pavilions here. In the year 1505, earthquake again damaged it and was repaired by Sikandar Lodi. Once again the minar faced earthquake in the year 1794, then Major Smith refurbished the affected parts of the minar and replaced Firoz Shah's pavilion with his own pavilion. This pavilion was again removed in the year 1848 by Lord Hardinge. Now it can be seen lying between the Dak Bungalow and the Minar in the garden.

Many natural conditions weathered the minar but it is still standing with all the might owing to time to time renovations and reinstated and renovated by the respective rulers. 

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Humayun's Tomb : A Distinct Example of Mughal Architecture

Humayun's Tomb at Delhi

The Humayun Tomb is one of the important places in tourist map of Delhi. 

History:

Humayun died in 1556, and his widow Hamida Banu Begam, also known as Haji Begam, commenced the construction of his tomb in 1569, fourteen years after his death. It is the first distinct example of proper Mughal style, which was inspired by Persian architecture. It is well known that Humayun picked up the principles of Persian architecture during his exile, and he himself is likely to have planned the tomb, although there is no record to that effect. The tomb was constructed at a cost of 15 lakh rupees (1.5 million).

Mirak Mirza Ghiyath, a Persian, was the architect employed by Haji Begam for this tomb.

Construction, Architecture and Layout:

The tomb proper stands in the centre of a square garden, divided into four main parterres by causeways (charbagh), in the centre of which ran shallow water-channels. The high rubble built enclosure is entered through two lofty double-storeyed gateways on the west and south. A baradari (pavilion) occupies the centre of the eastern wall and a hammam (bath chamber) in the centre of northern wall.

The square red sandstone double-storeyed structure of the mausoleum with chamfered corners rises from a 7-m. high square terrace, raised over a series of cells, which are accessible through, arches on each side. The grave proper in the centre of this cell-complex is reached by a passage on the south. The octagonal central chamber contains the cenotaph, and the diagonal sides lead to corner-chambers which house the graves of other members of the royal family. Externally each side of the tomb, its elevations decorated by marble borders and panels, is dominated by three arched alcoves, the central one being the highest. Over the roof pillared kiosks are disposed around the high emphatic double dome in the centre. The central octagonal chamber contains the cenotaph, encompassed by octagonal chambers at the diagonals and arched lobbies on the sides. Their openings are closed with perforated screens. Each side is dominated by three arches, the central one being the highest. This plan is repeated on the second storey too. The roof surmounted by a double dome (42.5m) of marble has pillared kiosks (chhatris) placed around it.

The Main Entrance of Humayun's Tomb at Delhi

Humayun's Tomb from the inside

 
The mausoleum is a synthesis of Persian architecture and Indian traditions-the former exemplified by the arched alcoves, corridors and the high double dome, and the latter by the kiosks, which give it a pyramidal outline from distance. Although Sikandar Lodi's tomb was the first garden-tomb to be built in India, it is Humayun's tomb which set up a new vogue, the crowning achievement of which is the Taj at Agra. There is also a somewhat common human impetus behind these two edifices-one erected by a devoted wife for her husband and the other by an equally or more devoted husband for his wife.

Several rulers of the Mughal dynasty lie buried here. Bahadur Shah Zafar had taken refuge in this tomb with three princes during the first war of Independence (AD 1857).

The site was chosen on the banks of Yamuna river, due to its proximity to Nizamuddin Dargah, the mausoleum of the celebrated Sufi saint of Delhi, Nizamuddin Auliya, who was much revered by the rulers of Delhi, and whose residence, Chilla Nizamuddin Auliya lies just north-east of the tomb.

Visiting Details:

Open from sunrise to sunset

Entrance Fee:
Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) - Rs. 10 per head.

Others: US $ 5 or Indian Rs. 250/- per head

(children up to 15 years free)

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