Uttar Pradesh • 2 monuments
A walled city in itself, Agra Fort on the right bank of River Yamuna served as a prominent stronghold of the Mughal imperial heads few centuries ago. Gigantic ramparts, bastions, towers, facades and gateways elaborate the strength and glory of this red sandstone marvel. The structures in the monument signify the passion of Mughal emperors towards art and architecture. Halls, pavilions, palaces, mosques, towers, thrones and gardens adorn the fort. Also known as the Red Fort of Agra, this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Buildings representing the Bengal and Gujarat schools of architecture are completely astounding. The old world charm and invigorating tales of the fort keep the visitors engrossed throughout the trip. Agra Fort is just few minutes away from other architectural wonders of Agra, including Taj Mahal, Sikandra, Chini ka Rauza and Fatehpur Sikri. Warnings Eatables, arms, ammunitions, liquor, smoking items, electronic and electrical items (except camera) are prohibited. Don’t make noise or scratch the walls and keep the mobile phones switched off.
The Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, a majestic structure which clearly distinguishes the two phases of Mughal architecture, stands unaffected by the signs of aging. When in Agra, you get completely enthralled by the sheer architectural brilliance of the grand structures all around and this tomb is certainly among the top-rankers. Built entirely in white marble and adorned exquisitely with semi-precious stones like jasper, onyx, topaz and cornelian, it is believed to be the inspiration for Taj Mahal. Built from 1622-1628, the tomb is the burial place of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, an important minister and father-in-law of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Beg was bestowed upon with the title of ‘Itamad-ud-Daulah’, which means ‘the pillar of the state’ by Jahangir. The breathtakingly beautiful structure stands on the bank of River Yamuna and is surrounded by the Persian-style Mughal gardens. The entrance gateway to the structure is a massive red sandstone structure, a marvel in itself. From a distance, the tomb appears as a jewel box and offers soul-touching appearance with hexagonal towers at each of the four corners. If the exteriors leave the visitors awe-struck, the interiors of the tomb are unbelievably captivating. Stuccos and paintings representing trees, wine bottles, fruits and vases and intricately designed screens promise outstanding treat to the eyes. In the centre are the cenotaphs of Mirza Ghiyas Beg and his wife. Don’t visit the place in a hurry as you would like to spend hours exploring it fully.
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