Agra is one of the most historic and wonderful tourist spot in India and it is having of travel attractions which includes Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Birbal Bhavan, Buland Darwaja , Diwan-I-Am, Mehtab Bagh, Chini Ka Ruaza,Nagina Maszid and many more attractions. 

During the advent of Mughal era that Agra grew as a centre of Islamic education. In the coming decades Agra saw great literary figures come from the city. Abul Fazl and others were among the pioneers. The Urdu literature grew by leaps and bounds in the city.

Major Attractions of Agra :

Taj Mahal

INDIA, when you read this word the first thing that strikes your mind is the symbol of love, the great TAJ MAHAL. This is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, built by Shah Jahan in retention of his dearest spouse Mumtaz mahal. The building up of this memorial structure commenced in 1631 and finished by 1653. Isakhan from Iran was its designer. 

This monument is completely made of white marble that gives a silvery glow in the delicate moon light, as sun raises it turns to pink and at the end of the day giving the flaming red of the sun. The major highlight of this place is, Shah Jahan himself

Agra Fort

Agra Fort is one of the fantastic tourism attractions in Agra, as this is the first best attraction that every tourists will visit while tripping to Agra. Agra Fort is demonstrated by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1654, which is located besides the Yamuna River and extends nearly 2.5kilometers. You can find the mixture of different variety of architecture here.  

Agra Fort was used by the emperors as a Royal residence and strategic place for military actions. The wall of this royal residence made by red stones and most of the inside palaces were made by marbles with good looking carvings. The next geneses of Mughal Emperors like Shajahan and Jahangir, added most of the inside palaces within this Agra Fort.

BIRBAL BHAVAN

Birbal Bhavan is one among the hottest tourist spot in Agra. Birbal Bhavan is a small palace which is located far end of the Lower Haramsara.  The total area of this small palace is only 1000 sq.feet. This palace was constructed on the direction of one amidst the General of Emperor Akbar, Raja birbal. This palace is situated at the tip of the walled city region, and the land goes down very acutely outside below of the walls.  

From this far end of the palace, you can enjoy the incredible view of the surrounding countryside. When the city was established, it was environed by a lake, which was meant to supply fresh water to the city, but in very short time it became salty in nature. This palace is well renowned for its architecture. 

BULAND DARWAZA  

Buland Darwaza is a prideful arch, which is located in the magnificent city Fatehpur Sikri near Agra. This wonderful arch was demonstrated by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar in the year 1573, when he overcame the king of Gujarat. The total height of this marvelous architecture is nearly 40 meters or 175 feet.  

Buland Darwaza is also known as High Door and the entire structure is made up of red stones and well decorated white marbles. With calligraphic letterings from the Muslims noble book Quran on its frontage and chattris and pillars on its height, the buland darwaza is a wonderful sight. Buland Darwaza is also the entrance of the great Jama Masjid.

CHINI KA RAUZA 

The Chini ka Rauza is the remarkable memorial, which is located 1 km away from the northern side of Itimad-ud-Daulahs Tomb in Agra. Chini ka Rauza is described as a tomb or mausoleum Allama Afzal Khan Mullah of the metropolis and it was speculated in the year1635.  

The main building of this Chini ka Rauza is in orthogonal shape and it is topped-off with a bulb like dome. The wall of this Chini ka Rauza is covered by the vibrant, multi-colored enamel tiles (Chini), which gives the tomb its name. The tomb that was made by brown colored stone is now collapsed. The roofs and the fences of this tomb are well decorated. 

DIWAN-I-AM  

Diwan-I-Am is a fine example of excellent ancient architecture.  In the beginning it was a wooden made structure later it was restructured by the Mughal Emperor Shajahan in 1628. Its also known as the Hall of Public Audience as he met common people and officials in this hall.  

It was an orthogonal Hall with a frontage of nine beautiful arches. These arches are very smooth in nature because it was covered by white lime polish. The inside of this building was formerly paneled with marble and decorated with precious gemstones, which were looted later. Each pillar of this diwan-i-am was decorated with floral motifs.

DIWAN-I-KHAS  

Diwan-I-Khas is also known as the Hall of Private Audience. The entire building was made with locally tapped red sandstone, which is also known as Sikri sandstone. It was build by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1571.  Diwan-i-khas is a plain square building with different kind of architecture. 

In the middle of the building, a large carved pillar with snakelike brackets supported a round platform, which is linked to each corner of the building by four stone walkways. The main purpose of this tall platform has been explicated in different ways. Most probably the emperor sat here in ceremonial meditation, which is led him to create a syncretic religion which is comprised of Islam, Hinduism and other traditions elements. 

FATEHPUR SIKRI  

Fatehpur Sikri is a fabulous city, which was established by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1585. This glorious architectural city is located 40 kilometers away from Agra. All monuments of this beautiful city were fully made up of white marbles and red sandstone, which is also known as Sikri sandstones. As per the captions, Emperor Akbar had good number of wives, without a successor.  

With the blessing of the Muslim saint called Sheikh Salim Chisti, he was blessed with a heir, and as a result he developed Fatehpur Sikri as a sign of his gratitude towards Muslim saint Sheikh Salim Chisti. All memorials of this Fatehpur Sikri are a synthesis of Hindu and Muslim architecture, which was showing the religious permissiveness of Akbar. Akbar developed a syncretic religion called Din-i-illahi, which was reflected some of the edifices in Fatehpur Sikri too. 

HAUZ-I-JEHANGRI

Hauz-i-jehangri is a gigantic stone made bowl, which is carved out of a single stone. This is maintained just exterior to the jehangir palace. Jehangir palace is the most prominent private residence in the Agra Fort. This entire structure was constructed by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar for his son Jehangir. This palace reflects both the Central Asian as well as Hindu architectural styles.  

Apart from this Hauz-i-jehangri you can watch Khas Mahal, which a white marble made structure is meant as a cool retreat in summer and Shish Mahal, which is a clothing room decorated by tiny mirrors. Also, you can watch Anguri Bagh or grape garden inside of this Jehangir palace.   

ITIMAD-UD-DAULAH

Itimad-ud-Daulah is the most crowded tourist attractions after Taj mahal and Agra fort in Agra. It was constructed by the Mughal Empresses Nurjahan, in recalling her father Ghiasud-din-Beg in between 1622-1628. The main credit of this tomb is that, it was the foremost Mughal building that was fully demonstrated with marbles.  

Moreover, this attraction has made wide use of inlay and peitra dusra works in marbles. When compared to Taj Mahal and Agra fort, it is too small but it equally attracts more visitants, because of its fine marble lattice work transitions accepting light to the interior. If you want to experience the fine workmanship, make a visit to Itimad-ud-Daulah 

JAMA MASJID

Jama Masjid is one of the famous and well-renowned mosques in India, which is also known as Jami Masjid. The Jama Masjid is located in the heritage city of Fatehpur Sikri and it was demonstrated in the year1571, by the great Mughal emperor Akbar. This Jama Masjid is delicately embellished with colored tiles, letterings and inlaid geometric designs.

The Jama Masjid is so beautiful and larger in size, because it has an inspired intention and covers a huge area, where the congregate can assemble to offer prays. Inside of this mosque complex, you can find quite several beautiful attractions, which signifies the shrine of the Sufi spiritual leader Sheikh Salim Chisti. 

MARIAMS TOMB

Mariams Tomb is the remarkable tomb located in the city of sikandra in Delhi-Agra Highway. This beautiful tomb was constructed by the great Mughal emperor Akbar in 1611 AD. Emperor Akbar demonstrated this historic grave to recall his Christian Goan wife Mariyam-us-Zamani and she is a mother of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. 

The entire tomb was constructed by using red sandstones and the main attraction of this tomb is some of the prodigious carvings. If you like to view this beautiful tomb you have to visit the place, where Akbar tomb was found. The whole structure of this tomb is a great example of Spartan style of Timurid architecture. 

MUSAMMAN BURJ

Musamman Burj is a beautiful looking Octagonal Tower, which is believed that it was constructed by the mughal emperor Shahjehan in between 1631-1640. This tower is located within the palace of Shahjehans lovable queen Mumtaz mahal. Emperor Shahjehan and his lovable daughter Jahanara Begum together spent their final days in this tower.  

Musammam burj is located at the eastern portion of the main wall of the fort. A small and well decorated pavilion which is known as Shah Burj is situated near to this tower. In the centre portion of this pavilion, you can find a beautiful lotus tank with water fountain which is showily carved and decorated with semi-precious stones. 

MEHTAB BAGH  

This is the name of the beautiful garden which was set in 17th century by Shah Jahan to get the most effective view of Taj Mahal. This grass covered semi lunar shaped land is located on the bank of river Yamuna. The total area of this beautiful garden is about 25 acres and this garden possesses numerous white plaster footpaths, marquees, ponds and founts.  

Due to the Age, this beautiful garden was virtually wiped-off by natural disaster like flood and urbanization. The renovation process geared by the Government of India started from the year 1994 and now the garden is on light. The Archaeological Survey of India is trying to reestablish the Mehtab Bagh to its horticultural grandness. 

Nagina masjid

Nagina masjid is also known as Gem mosque and it was constructed in between 1631-1640 in the northwestern nook of the Machchhi Bhawan. This Gem mosque is a marble coated court wrapped by walls to the east, north and south and the prayer chamber on the west.

The major attraction of this Nagina Majid is the prayer chamber and it is also made up of marble with three domes on its top. Three arches are lying in frontage of this masjid with the leaflets and backed-on thin piers as its entrance. In the western wall of the prayer chamber, you can find the design directing the way of Holy Kabah. 

Panch Mahal

Panch Mahal is one another tourist attraction in Agra.  Panch Mahal is a 5 storied summer palace, which is located in the western course of the courtyard.  All three wives of the great Mughal emperor Akbar habituated in this palace. This Panch Mahal is renowned for its fantasy rather than its architectural construction.

The walls of this Panch Mahal comprise beautiful carved pillars. Each pillar once covered by jail screens is used as purdah (cover) to princess and queens of the top terraces. Every floor of this building is both shorter and narrower than the one below. The ground floor of this building is the most formal portion of the city.

This Article Is Written By  Keerthika