Agra is a beautiful city in India. Everyone should visit it at least once in their life. It is there that one of the seven wonders of the world is located and many more pearls in the world's necklace of architecture.
If you remember the beautiful and distant India, then the majestic city of Agra immediately comes to mind. It rightfully deserves the title of one of the most exotic megacities in the world, most frequently visited by curious and ubiquitous tourists. The streets and squares delight those who come here. There is a really huge number of completely unusual places here. Agra is a real oriental exoticism. It is a fairy tale, exciting, colorful and dignified. This city, like no other, reflects all the richness of the centuries-old culture of the great Indian people. And if you want to breathe the real air of history, then all paths lead exactly to Agra.
A history dating back centuries
In the 17th century, Agra fell into a period of terrible decline. As the capital of the Great Empire, this beautiful city ceased to exist. Agra went through trials through monstrous destruction and complete devastation associated with the endless bandit invasions of Jats, Marakhts, Pashtuns and Persians. Suffering from the destructive revelry, the inhabitants of Agra left it to the safest places for their families, and it was completely deserted. At the dawn of the 19th century, the British came to the capital, ravaged by countless bandit raids. Thanks to their intervention, as well as in connection with the construction of a river port here, Agra again "rose from its knees" to finally become the center of industry and trade of the country by right.
The railroad, which was also rebuilt, connected it with major cities such as Calcutta and Delhi. But the oppression of the British eventually became simply unbearable for the residents of the city, despite their positive participation in the development of the city's economy. And in the middle of the 19th century, the townspeople revolted against their "benefactors." It was suppressed by the introduction of army units into Agra. As a result, the British remained in Agra until the end of World War II, after which they left the city for good. Modern Agra is a beautiful Indian city that is the center of world tourism. It also surprisingly combines the fabulous color of temples and palaces with modern style and is the cradle of a successful industrial business.
One of the seven wonders of the world
The Taj Mahal is the most famous structure, which everyone has heard of since childhood, and which they dream to visit at least once in their life. To visit and say that now dying is not scary, because you saw the Taj Mahal - it's real!
Every year millions of curious tourists from all over the world visit this snow-white mosque like freshly fallen Siberian snow. The beautiful symbol of India has its own romantic story. She tells about the love feelings of the Mughal ruler Shah-Jahan for his beautiful wife, the most beautiful Mumtaz. The ruler's wife died after their fourteenth child was born. Shah Jahan, unhappy with grief, ordered to build a mausoleum unseen in the world in memory of his beloved. Such that in his greatness he could be compared only with the greatness of their love for each other. Subsequently, the ruler wanted to build a similar temple, only in black. And, having connected both buildings with a bridge, finally, reunite with your beloved wife. But this dream could not come true due to the betrayal of their son Aurangzeb. He passionately strived for power and did not spare either his older brother or his father. Thus, the greed and lack of loyalty of one of the sons became a powerful and merciless weapon against the mighty ruler.
Red Fort
This fort was built in the 11th century. It is located twenty kilometers from the famous Taj Mahal. The Red Fort became the last refuge for the aging emperor. It was there that the traitorous son imprisoned his unfortunate parent. Each time on a moonlit night, Shah Jahan went out onto his small balcony and, under the moonlight, with eyes full of tears, gazed at his great snow-white creation. He recalled those beautiful days when he and Mumtaz were incredibly happy. He remembered her loving eyes and hands, and his heart was shedding hot tears. His love for his wife did not fade away, but became even stronger.
The fort is called red because it is built of red sandstone. The walls of this fortress are in a semicircle, decorated with fancy mosaics and colorful ornaments, and, of course, are reliably fortified by numerous towers. It is surprising that time has hardly touched the historic building. Many people call it a real miracle.
Tomb of Itemad-Ud-Daula
Tourists who come to Agra are sure to want to visit this marble and mosaic Florentine tomb. It is also called the Small Taj Mahal. The slabs of this mini-mausoleum are completely decorated with semiprecious stones. It looks like a giant jewelry box. Beauty delights and amazes when you find yourself in this beautiful place. For a moment you can feel like a real master of countless treasures.
Fatehpur Sikri
This unique landmark of the Indian city is located forty kilometers from it. It is, in essence, a "ghost town". During the reign of Akbar the First, and this was in 1571-1585, this beautiful and prosperous city was the most important in the Mughal Empire. But over time, due to the catastrophic shortage of water, the main source of life, the emperor had to move to Agra. The status of the capital was accordingly transferred there, and the city, abandoned by all, began to turn into a "ghost town". Tourists are looking at what remains of its former beauty with great interest. And it’s hard to believe that life here once was seething, and everywhere you could hear children's happy laughter.
Rambach Garden
At the beginning of the 16th century, Emperor Babur created this outlandish beautiful garden. If translated literally, then from Farsi this name is translated as "Rest Garden". And indeed everything here is conducive to rest, meditation and immersion in mental relaxation. The Persian-style garden amazes with its abundance of sunshine. On the territory of the garden there is a large number of beautiful pavilions and gazebos where you can sit down and have a leisurely rest. Everywhere there are many exotic trees that cast a light shade on the gazebos, bringing a pleasant coolness to the tired traveler. Numerous fountains are broken, the spray of which shimmers in the sun with all the colors of the rainbow like precious stones. Reservoirs where you can sit and listen to the pacifying murmur of water. All paths are paved with stone. The "Rambach Garden" is located five kilometers from the great tomb of the Taj Mahal.
Chini-ka-Rauza mausoleum
This mausoleum has undergone the merciless destruction of time. But he still managed to keep his bizarre shapes and outlines. The famous minister and wonderful poet Shah Jahan is buried in it. This complex was erected in the 17th century and at first was an ensemble of various structures. Until recently, only the mausoleum has survived, where Shah Jahan rested. You can see the towers preserved along the perimeter here. Inside is a modest hall with elements of Persian architecture. The arched openings have survived and are decorated with fanciful ornaments made of ceramic tiles. Time is frozen in stone.
