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Agra City Information
History
Agra is believed to be the dwelling places of Aryans. A rich civilization flourished in the city somewhat close to 2nd century B.C. It has been referred as 'Arya Griha' or the abode of Aryans. The earliest accounts of Agra can be found in the epic Mahabharata. The city has been referred as 'Agravana' which used to be a part of Surasena Empire. History seems to have lost it untill its rediscovery by the Mughals. The first concrete evidence of Agra can be found in the poems of Khwaja Masud bid sad bin Salman. According to the poet Mahmud Shah the governor of Hind (presumably parts of the Punjab and the North-west region) invaded the Fort of Agra in 1080-81. Very few records confirm to the establishment of a fort before the arrival of Mughals.
Agra was specifically mentioned in the reign of Syed Allauddin (1445-51) as a dependency of Biana. The narration of Niamatullah contradicts the fact and according to his accounts the city was built by Emperor Sikander of Lodhi which had no prior existence. Ibrahim Lodhi, the last Sultan was killed and the empire terminated in 1526 A.D. It was here in 1530 A.D. that Babur breathed his last and Humayun was crowned. The city was soon developed and made the commanding centre. Humayun was defeated by the Afghan ruler Sher Shah. However, in the second battle of Panipat that is in 1556 A.D. Iskander Khan defeated the Afghan ruler Hemu on Akbar's behalf and mughals claimed the city. During Akbar's period the developments in and around Agra reach its zenith. This was followed by his successors Jehangir and Shah Jahan. In 1658 Aurangzeb took the throne and shifted his capital to Delhi leaving behind glamorous history of Agra.
General Information
Agra is synonymous with monument of love, The Taj Mahal, which sits on the bank of Yamuna River. Agra is a major tourist attraction as it contains one of the seven wonders of the world - Taj Mahal. Agra is an ancient city situated on the river Yamuna within the stae of Uttar Pradesh In India. The city has been described as Agraba in the epic Mahabharata. The city was capital of Lodhi Kingdom and later on seved the same for Mughals. During 16th and 17th century the city was developed as art, culture, and commerce and learning center by Mughal kings like Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. Some wonderful buildings were erected in Agra City by the mughal kings. Agra city is famous for monuments and crafts. The monument and crafts have preserved the cultural heritage for centuries.
Famous For:
Agra city is famous for its structures built by Mughal kings during their reign. Taj Mahal, one of the greatest symbols of love is the prime feature of Agra. The mausoleum is visited by thousands of people from all over the world. Besides Taj Mahal there are a number of architectural marvels in the city. These marvels include Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb, Sikandra, Jama Masjid, Mariyam's Tomb and Chini-Ka-Roza.
Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Agra is between Oct and March. It is not hot then and there are few rains during this period.
Important Facts
Agra city is an important tourist place in terms of historical and architectural attractions in its precincts. The city has been ruled by the great dynasties of India. The city of Agra, as it exists today, holds the memories of the past as well the modernity that has reached its borders. Some important facts about the city are:
Places of Interest:
Taj Mahal:
The crowning jewel of Indo-Islamic architecture, the Taj Mahal is one of the world's most beautiful and beloved structures. The monument was built for Mumtaz Mahal, the favorite wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Construction began in 1632 and employed more than 20,000 laborers for 20 years. During the reign of Shah Jahan the structure was known simply as the rauza, the tomb. Later, the mausoleum would be called the Taj Mahal, a derivative of the name Mumtaz Mahal. Sheer poetry in marble. Majesty and magnificence, unrivalled. The Taj Mahal, the one and only one of its kind across the world. The monumental labour of love of a great ruler for his beloved queen. The ultimate realisation of Emperor Shahjahan's dream. One of the wonders of the world. From 1631 A.D., it took 22 years in the making. An estimated 20,000 people worked to complete the enchanting mausoleum, on the banks of the Yamuna. For a breathtaking beautiful view of the Taj Mahal, see it by moonlight.
Agra fort:
Agra fort is another dimension in the city. Built in Red stone it is a combination of different architectural styles. For instance, the Jahangiri Palace built by Akbar is a good blend of Islamic (Persian) and different local Hindu styles. Other buildings either have a mixed style or conform predominantly to the Islamic style. The construction of the Agra fort was started around 1565 when the initial structures were built by Akbar. Shah Jahan replaced most of these with his marble creations. Some however survived, among them are - Delhi Gate., Amar Singh Gate, Akbari Mahal and the Jehangir Mahal. The fort is crescent shaped, flattened on the east with a long, nearly straight wall facing the river. It has a total perimeter of 2.4 km, and is ringed by double castellated ramparts of red sandstone punctuated at regular intervals by bastions. A 9 mt. Wide and 10 mt. Deep moat surrounds the outer wall. An imposing 22 mt. High inner wall imparts a feeling of invincible defensive construction. The route through the Amar Singh Gate is dog-legged. The layout of the fort was determined by the course of the river, which in those days flowed alongside. The main axis is parallel to the river and the walls bridge out towards the city.
Sikandra Fort:
Welcome to Sikandra, a supurb of Agra, only 13 km. from the Agra Fort, the last resting place of the Mughal emperor Akbar. Akbar was the greatest of the Mughal emperors and one of the most secular minded royalties of his time. He was the heir to a long tradition of oriental refinement, a great patron of the arts, literature, philosophy and science. A visit to Akbar's monument opens before one, the completeness of Akbar's personality as completely as the Taj Mahal does of Mumtaz Mahal's. Akbar's 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.
Fatehpur Sikri:
A royal city perfectly preserved, Fatehpur Sikri provides a marvellous escape into the past. Akbar embarked on the construction of a new capital here when a prophecy of the birth of a male royal heir, by the Sufi Saint Salim Chisti of Sikri, came true. Imposing gateways and light- hearted palaces were built in red sandstone within this fortified city only to be abandoned a few years later. Among its many architectural game are the places for his queens - Jodha Bai, Mariyam and his Turkish sultana, built in varying styles, each perfect in itself.
Itmad-Ud-Daulah
About 4 kms north of Taj Mahal, on the left bank of river Yamuna is the completely balanced marble mausoleum of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, Nur Jahan’s Father. The twice storied tomb is about 20m four-sided figure, built of the premium Indian marble and is stuffed with mosaic inlaid with semi valuable stones.
Other Sites in Agra
Mankameshwar TempleJama MasjidChini Ka RauzaRam BaghMariam's TombKeetham Lake
How to reach Agra:
By Air
Agra Airport at Kheria is about 6 km from the city centre, but is not very well connected. It has flights to very few cities. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is the best option. Agra is very well connected to Delhi both by rail and road.
By Train
Agra is on the main railway line between Delhi and Mumbai and between Delhi and Chennai and many trains connect Agra with these cities every day. Some east-bound trains from Delhi also travel via Agra, so direct connections to points in Eastern India are also available. There is close to 20 trains to Delhi every day, and at least three or four to both Mumbai and Chennai.
There are three railway stations in Agra:
Agra Cantt
Agra Fort
Raja Ki Mandi
Tundla (Station Code: TDL) - Lots of trains that runs from Delhi towards east stops here. This route can also be taken if no direct train is available to Agra. Tundla is approximately 20 km away from Agra and it takes only 45 minutes to travel by road.
By Road
Idgah Bus Stand is the biggest Bus Stand in Agra and is connected to most of the bigger cities in North India. From Delhi Utter Pradesh Roadways operates an excellent bus service to Agra, busses are available after every 30 minuts from Sarai Kale Khan ISBT, and Travel time is approximately 04:30 hours.
Local Transportation
Auto rickshaw and Cycle Rickshaw are the main mode of transport in Agra and are available very readily. The Rickshaw is not metered so it’s best to negotiate the fares before the ride.
Distance from Some Important Cities
Allahabad - 425 Kms
Bangalore - 1858 Kms
Bhubaneswar - 1542 Kms
Calcutta - 1258 Kms
Dehradun - 318 Kms
Delhi - 204 Kms
Gwalior - 118 Kms
Jaipur - 232 Kms
Lucknow - 363 Kms
Mumbai - 1197 Kms
Shimla - 545 Kms
Varanasi - 577 Kms
Agra is believed to be the dwelling places of Aryans. A rich civilization flourished in the city somewhat close to 2nd century B.C. It has been referred as 'Arya Griha' or the abode of Aryans. The earliest accounts of Agra can be found in the epic Mahabharata. The city has been referred as 'Agravana' which used to be a part of Surasena Empire. History seems to have lost it untill its rediscovery by the Mughals. The first concrete evidence of Agra can be found in the poems of Khwaja Masud bid sad bin Salman. According to the poet Mahmud Shah the governor of Hind (presumably parts of the Punjab and the North-west region) invaded the Fort of Agra in 1080-81. Very few records confirm to the establishment of a fort before the arrival of Mughals.
Agra was specifically mentioned in the reign of Syed Allauddin (1445-51) as a dependency of Biana. The narration of Niamatullah contradicts the fact and according to his accounts the city was built by Emperor Sikander of Lodhi which had no prior existence. Ibrahim Lodhi, the last Sultan was killed and the empire terminated in 1526 A.D. It was here in 1530 A.D. that Babur breathed his last and Humayun was crowned. The city was soon developed and made the commanding centre. Humayun was defeated by the Afghan ruler Sher Shah. However, in the second battle of Panipat that is in 1556 A.D. Iskander Khan defeated the Afghan ruler Hemu on Akbar's behalf and mughals claimed the city. During Akbar's period the developments in and around Agra reach its zenith. This was followed by his successors Jehangir and Shah Jahan. In 1658 Aurangzeb took the throne and shifted his capital to Delhi leaving behind glamorous history of Agra.
General Information
Agra is synonymous with monument of love, The Taj Mahal, which sits on the bank of Yamuna River. Agra is a major tourist attraction as it contains one of the seven wonders of the world - Taj Mahal. Agra is an ancient city situated on the river Yamuna within the stae of Uttar Pradesh In India. The city has been described as Agraba in the epic Mahabharata. The city was capital of Lodhi Kingdom and later on seved the same for Mughals. During 16th and 17th century the city was developed as art, culture, and commerce and learning center by Mughal kings like Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. Some wonderful buildings were erected in Agra City by the mughal kings. Agra city is famous for monuments and crafts. The monument and crafts have preserved the cultural heritage for centuries.
Famous For:
Agra city is famous for its structures built by Mughal kings during their reign. Taj Mahal, one of the greatest symbols of love is the prime feature of Agra. The mausoleum is visited by thousands of people from all over the world. Besides Taj Mahal there are a number of architectural marvels in the city. These marvels include Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb, Sikandra, Jama Masjid, Mariyam's Tomb and Chini-Ka-Roza.
Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Agra is between Oct and March. It is not hot then and there are few rains during this period.
Important Facts
Agra city is an important tourist place in terms of historical and architectural attractions in its precincts. The city has been ruled by the great dynasties of India. The city of Agra, as it exists today, holds the memories of the past as well the modernity that has reached its borders. Some important facts about the city are:
Location |
Agra (Uttar Pradesh State), India. |
Capital |
Lucknow |
Population |
1.4 million |
Area |
4082 Sq Km |
Altitude |
169 m above sea level |
Languages |
Hindi, Urdu and English |
Climate |
Three main seasons - Summer, Monsoon & Winter. Summers (March to June) Winters (November-February) Monsoon (July-September) |
Best Time to Visit |
Monsoon (July-September) |
Rainfall |
66 cm Average Yearly |
River |
Agra city is located in the city of Uttar Pradesh on the banks of river Yamuna. |
Religion |
Hinduism is the major Religion observed here. Other religions include Islam, & others. |
Country |
0091 |
STD Code |
0562 |
Places of Interest:
Taj Mahal:
The crowning jewel of Indo-Islamic architecture, the Taj Mahal is one of the world's most beautiful and beloved structures. The monument was built for Mumtaz Mahal, the favorite wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Construction began in 1632 and employed more than 20,000 laborers for 20 years. During the reign of Shah Jahan the structure was known simply as the rauza, the tomb. Later, the mausoleum would be called the Taj Mahal, a derivative of the name Mumtaz Mahal. Sheer poetry in marble. Majesty and magnificence, unrivalled. The Taj Mahal, the one and only one of its kind across the world. The monumental labour of love of a great ruler for his beloved queen. The ultimate realisation of Emperor Shahjahan's dream. One of the wonders of the world. From 1631 A.D., it took 22 years in the making. An estimated 20,000 people worked to complete the enchanting mausoleum, on the banks of the Yamuna. For a breathtaking beautiful view of the Taj Mahal, see it by moonlight.
Agra fort:
Agra fort is another dimension in the city. Built in Red stone it is a combination of different architectural styles. For instance, the Jahangiri Palace built by Akbar is a good blend of Islamic (Persian) and different local Hindu styles. Other buildings either have a mixed style or conform predominantly to the Islamic style. The construction of the Agra fort was started around 1565 when the initial structures were built by Akbar. Shah Jahan replaced most of these with his marble creations. Some however survived, among them are - Delhi Gate., Amar Singh Gate, Akbari Mahal and the Jehangir Mahal. The fort is crescent shaped, flattened on the east with a long, nearly straight wall facing the river. It has a total perimeter of 2.4 km, and is ringed by double castellated ramparts of red sandstone punctuated at regular intervals by bastions. A 9 mt. Wide and 10 mt. Deep moat surrounds the outer wall. An imposing 22 mt. High inner wall imparts a feeling of invincible defensive construction. The route through the Amar Singh Gate is dog-legged. The layout of the fort was determined by the course of the river, which in those days flowed alongside. The main axis is parallel to the river and the walls bridge out towards the city.
Sikandra Fort:
Welcome to Sikandra, a supurb of Agra, only 13 km. from the Agra Fort, the last resting place of the Mughal emperor Akbar. Akbar was the greatest of the Mughal emperors and one of the most secular minded royalties of his time. He was the heir to a long tradition of oriental refinement, a great patron of the arts, literature, philosophy and science. A visit to Akbar's monument opens before one, the completeness of Akbar's personality as completely as the Taj Mahal does of Mumtaz Mahal's. Akbar's 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.
Fatehpur Sikri:
A royal city perfectly preserved, Fatehpur Sikri provides a marvellous escape into the past. Akbar embarked on the construction of a new capital here when a prophecy of the birth of a male royal heir, by the Sufi Saint Salim Chisti of Sikri, came true. Imposing gateways and light- hearted palaces were built in red sandstone within this fortified city only to be abandoned a few years later. Among its many architectural game are the places for his queens - Jodha Bai, Mariyam and his Turkish sultana, built in varying styles, each perfect in itself.
Itmad-Ud-Daulah
About 4 kms north of Taj Mahal, on the left bank of river Yamuna is the completely balanced marble mausoleum of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, Nur Jahan’s Father. The twice storied tomb is about 20m four-sided figure, built of the premium Indian marble and is stuffed with mosaic inlaid with semi valuable stones.
Other Sites in Agra
Mankameshwar TempleJama MasjidChini Ka RauzaRam BaghMariam's TombKeetham Lake
How to reach Agra:
By Air
Agra Airport at Kheria is about 6 km from the city centre, but is not very well connected. It has flights to very few cities. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is the best option. Agra is very well connected to Delhi both by rail and road.
By Train
Agra is on the main railway line between Delhi and Mumbai and between Delhi and Chennai and many trains connect Agra with these cities every day. Some east-bound trains from Delhi also travel via Agra, so direct connections to points in Eastern India are also available. There is close to 20 trains to Delhi every day, and at least three or four to both Mumbai and Chennai.
There are three railway stations in Agra:
Agra Cantt
Agra Fort
Raja Ki Mandi
Tundla (Station Code: TDL) - Lots of trains that runs from Delhi towards east stops here. This route can also be taken if no direct train is available to Agra. Tundla is approximately 20 km away from Agra and it takes only 45 minutes to travel by road.
By Road
Idgah Bus Stand is the biggest Bus Stand in Agra and is connected to most of the bigger cities in North India. From Delhi Utter Pradesh Roadways operates an excellent bus service to Agra, busses are available after every 30 minuts from Sarai Kale Khan ISBT, and Travel time is approximately 04:30 hours.
Local Transportation
Auto rickshaw and Cycle Rickshaw are the main mode of transport in Agra and are available very readily. The Rickshaw is not metered so it’s best to negotiate the fares before the ride.
Distance from Some Important Cities
Allahabad - 425 Kms
Bangalore - 1858 Kms
Bhubaneswar - 1542 Kms
Calcutta - 1258 Kms
Dehradun - 318 Kms
Delhi - 204 Kms
Gwalior - 118 Kms
Jaipur - 232 Kms
Lucknow - 363 Kms
Mumbai - 1197 Kms
Shimla - 545 Kms
Varanasi - 577 Kms
Festival |
Celebration Time |
Magh Mela |
Early February |
Muharram |
Mid-February |
Taj Mahotsav |
Mid-February |
Taj Food Festival |
Late February |
Holi |
Mid-March |
Rath Ka Mela, Vrindavan |
Early April |
Purnima |
Early May |
Teej Festival |
July / August |
Kailash Fair |
Mid-August |
Janmashthami / Krishna Leela |
August / September |
Ram Lila (Ramlila) |
Mid-September |
Ram Barat |
Early October |
Diwali |
Late October / Early November |
Bateshwar Fair |
Throughout November |
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