History records Sultan Sikandar Lodi, ruler of Delhi sultantate as founder of the Agra in 1504. It is home to the famous monuments of Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandara with Fatehpur Sikri about 45 Kms away. Other places of interest are I'timad-Ud-Daulah, Swami Bagh Samadhi, Chini ka Rauza, Mehtab Bagh.

 

The golden age of the city began with the Mughals. It was known then as Akbarabad and remained the capital of the Mughal Empire under the Emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan.  

 

Must See:

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Taj Mahal

 

Agra's Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world, the mausoleum of Shah Jahan's favorite wife,

 Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the world, and one of three World Heritage Sites in Agra. Completed in 1653 

 

Agra Fort

 

The fort was commissioned by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565, and is another of Agra's World Heritage Sites. It is a redstone fort was converted into palace by Shah Jehan. Notable buildings inside fort are Pearl Mosque or Moti Masjid, the Diwan-e-aam and Diwan-e-Khas (halls of public and private audience), Jahangir's Palace, Khas Mahal, Shish Mahal (mirrored palace), and the Musamman Burj. The forbidding exteriors of this fort conceal an inner paradise. This is the fort from where Chhatrapati Shivaji escaped.

 

Fatehpur Sikri

 

The Mughal Emperor Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri about 35 km from Agra, and moved his capital there. Later abandoned due to shortage of water, Akbar moved his headquarters to Agra Fort. It houses the shrine of the sufi saint Saleem Chisti.

 

Shopping:

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Items made of marble with intricate engraving work done using precious stones and carpets.