Buland Darwaza Agra

Buland Darwaza Agra

Introduction

Agra is well-known as being home to the wonderful Taj Mahal - one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The gracefully designed mausoleums, the fort and the palaces reminds of the Mughal architectural brilliance. Besides the Taj Mahal, other popular tourist spots in Agra are the Agra Fort, Jama Masjid, Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb, Chini Ka Rauza, Rambagh Gardens, Fatehpur Sikri, etc. One such tourist attraction in Agra is the Buland Darwaza , a grand gateway located in Fatehpur Sikri near Agra.

Background

The Buland Darwaza is the entrance gateway to the Jama Masjid mosque in Fatehpur Sikri near Agra. It is situated on a hill where the Mosque is located. The grand recessed central arch is the most magnificent of its kind in the entire range of Mughal architecture in India. This triumphal arch was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1575 on the southern wall of the courtyard, after he defeated the King of Khandesh or Gujarat in 1573.

Description

The name Buland Darwaza means High Door and this victory arch has the height of 176 feet from ground level and 134 feet over the top step. Very striking even from quite a distance, Buland Darwaza is a magnificent structure built in red sandstone with ornamentation in white marble. The calligraphic inscriptions from the Quran on its front and pillars and chattris on its height make the arch an impressive sight. The Buland Darwaza is also indication of the religious tolerance of Akbar the Great, evident from the inscription upon it attributed to Jesus Christ - "The World is but a bridge, pass over but build no houses on it."

How to reach

To reach the Buland Darwaza in Agra , by air you have to land at the Agra airport, which is 7 km from the city center. From Delhi, it takes only 40 minutes to reach Agra by flight. The main railway station is Agra Cantonment. The main bus stands in Agra are Agra Fort and Idgah bus stand. There are many luxury taxis, coaches or buses that drive to Agra every day.

Taj Mahal Museum Agra

Taj Mahal Museum Agra

Introduction to Taj Mahal Museum, Agra

Taj Mahal Museum in Agra is one of the most famous museums in Agra, which is visited by hundreds of tourists who wish to delve deep into the history of Taj. The Taj Museum is located within the complex of Taj Mahal. It is located to the left of the platform near the chief gate of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Museum of Agra provides the opportunity to the tourists and visitors to take a close look at the original pieces of drawings of this magnificent marble monument. The study of the drawings indicates the level of accuracy and precision that had been initiated in planning the structure of the Taj Mahal. No wonder that the Taj still features among the Seven Wonders of the World.

The Taj Museum remains open from 10 o' clock in the morning to 5 o' clock in the afternoon. These drawings also show the layout of the graves. Drawings of the interiors show the position of the graves in such precision that the foot of the graves faces the spectator from any angle. Besides, there are many other bewitching collections that will catch the fancy of the tourists.

History of Taj Mahal Museum,Agra

Agra Taj Mahal Museum lies within the complex of Taj Mahal-one of the greatest symbols of the eternal love. The museum was constructed in 1982 and it is to be found in the Jal Mahal, a Mahal inside the Taj Mahal.

Description of Taj Mahal Museum,Agra

The Taj Mahal Museum in Agra houses royal ornaments, amazing paintings, portraits of Mughal emperors and many more interesting items. The Taj Museum remains closed on Fridays.

It is a big museum comprising of two floors and has three galleries along with a chief hall. The Taj Mahal Museum, as the name suggests, displays all those things in connection to the creation of Taj Mahal. There are a total of one hundred and twenty one antiques showcased in the Agra Taj Mahal museum. These things can be broadly classified into Mughal manuscripts, Mughal miniature paintings, inscription samples, royal decrees, drawings and plans of Taj Mahal. Some more exquisite items are also exhibited in the museum like arms, utensils, specimen of decorative pieces, marble pillars, etc.

The main hall showcases the most significant items. Tourists can take a look at the portraits of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, his beloved wife. These are seen in an ornate wooden frame. Imitations of coins, which were minted in Agra, are also on display. Like the Taj Mahal, the museum which stands within it, is also a wonder and an attractive place to be visited by all tourists across the world. Nominal fees are charged at the entrance of the gate. Everyday, millions of people come to visit Taj Mahal-one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is quite obvious that the museum which displays antiques related to Taj Mahal will also be visited by the curious travelers.

Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri

Introduction

Agra and its adjoining areas are home to some of the finest examples of Mughal architecture, showcasing one of the most brilliant phases of Indian history. One of these is the Fatehpur Sikri, one of the best examples of Mughal planning and architecture. One of the most important aspects of the Fatehpur Sikri is the fact that it provides us with details of not just Mughal architecture but paints an accurate image of the system of administration and social structure of the era. Once the political capital of Akbar, arguable the greatest Mughal emperor, Fatehpur Sikri was in operation from 1571 to1585. Today a world heritage site, this erstwhile capital of the Mughals is a historian's delight and must-see for all visitors to the area.

History

Located on the outskirts of Agra, at a distance of only 26 miles, Fatehpur Sikri was one of the most important bases of Mughal rule and the capital of Akbar during the 1571 to 1585. Fatehpur Sikri was instrumental in being one of the places along with Agra and the Red Fort, where a bulk of the Mughal arsenal, treasure hoards and other reserves were stored. Legend has it that the fort was built as a tribute to the great Sufi Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti, with whose blessing Prince Salim was born, Akbar's descendent who was destined to grow up to become the next Mughal emperor Jahangir.

Architecture

Built predominantly of red sandstone, Fatehpur Sikri is one of the earliest planned cities in the world. The layout of the city is in itself a work of architectural brilliance where a conscious effort has been made to produce rich spatial effects. On the other hand, the cityscape changes rapidly as we move across it indicating important buildings and also allowing these important localities to form a backdrop to other localities.

Chini ka Rauza

Chini ka Rauza

Introduction

Agra can definitely be termed as the hub of historical tourism in India. Almost each and every nook and corner of this ancient city relates a tale of its own, sharing secrets which time had thought to be buried within the silent bricks of Agra. Of the many historical attractions of the city, one of the lesser-known ones is the Chini ka Rauza , the tomb of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah of Shiraz, built in 1635.

Location

Located at a distance of just around 1 Km from Itimad ud Daulah's Tomb, Chini ka Rauza is the tomb of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah of Shiraz, a scholar and poet who was the Prime Minister of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. A notable feature amongst the many attractions that Agra offers, Chini ka Rauza is the only example of Persian architecture in the city.

Architecture

The structural design of the Chini ka Rauza is like the rest of the architectural masterpieces constructed by the Mughals a work of excellence. Built during the reign of Shah Jahan, at a time when the architectural prowess of the Mughals was at its peak, Chini ka Rauza is a must see for tourists to Agra. The most distinctive feature of the tomb is the colorful tiles or chini, from which the mausoleum gets its name. Rectangular in shape, the tomb is constructed mainly of brown stone, which today is sadly falling prey to negligence and crumbling away. The walls of the tomb are adorned with inscriptions and colored tiles that give a distinctive look to the structure.

However, perhaps the most significant feature of the tomb is the Afghan-style rounded dome that is adorned with inscriptions from Islamic texts.

The Tomb

The central chamber which actually houses the tomb is an octagonal chamber that consists of eight arched corners. This chamber is connected to the side halls and outer porches through four square chambers. The central arch, which is one of the most prominent architectural features of the tomb, is adorned with inscriptions marked with blue colored tiles.

Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah

Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah

NurJehan, the wife and queen of Mughal Emperor Jehangir built this tomb for her father Mirza Shiyath Beg between 1622-25. Soon after her marriage to the father, Mirza was appointed Prime Minister of the Empire and received the title of 'Itimad-ud-Daulah' or 'Treasurer of the Empire'. The tomb is situated on the left bank of river Yamuna and is only overshadowed by Taj in beauty. This beautiful mausolem was the first one to be built on a riverbank, which was normally used only to build pleasure gardens till then. The marble mausoleum is designed like a silver jewel box with stunning and delicate inlay work. Facing river Yamuna, this quadrangular tomb stretches across 550 sq. feet with four gateways facing the four main directions. However, the Eastern gateway served as the main entrance of the tomb while the rest were built only to maintain the symmetry. The square tomb building is built on a red sand stone plinth, which was set aesthetically in the center of a 'Char Bagh'.

Amar Singh Gate

Amar Singh Gate (A Part of Red Fort, Agra)

The southern gateway or the Amar Singh Gate was originally known as 'Akbar Darwaza' and was reserved for Mughal emperor Akbar and his personal entourage. Shah Jehan renamed it after the brave Rao Amar Singh of Jodhpur. According to the interesting anecdote, Amar Singh slew Salabat Khan, the chief treasurer of Shah Jehan in front of the emperor. Then he leapt with his horse over the high walls of the fort. The horse died with the fatal jump and Amar Singh was arrested and put to death. However, his courage won the admiration of the emperor and the gate was renamed as Amar Singh Gate in his honor. A red sandstone statue of his horse was erected at the very spot where he died.

The gate shares architectural traits with the Delhi Gate such as having a drawbridge over the moat, dangerous diversions at the entrance and a high ramp paved with bricks. There are two octagonal towers on its either side. The most imposing structure here is the Naubat Khana surrounded by pillared pavilions. The bastions are not very impressive and it not as profusely decorated as some of the other structures in the fort. Yet, the oblong and arched panels in the lower portions are adorned with multi-colored glazed tiles, mainly in yellow, green, blue and white colors. Panels on the upper portion are plain. Bastions are crowned by piered chhatri with a domed cupola and an inverted lotus. The traces suggest that these cupolas were also covered with glazed tiles once.

Jehangiri Mahal

Jehangiri Mahal ,Red Fort, Agra

Jehangiri Mahal is a stunning example of Mughal architecture at its best. Built between 1565-69, it has an impressive façade facing an open court to the west. It has an arched portal with two beautiful jharokhas, a series of ornamental arches and an octagonal tower on its either side. There is a complex arrangement of rooms, halls, corridors, galleries and verandahs in the palace, around a quare central courtyard. The main portal leads to a square entrance hall with ribs-and-panels vaulted ceiling that takes one to identical annexes built on the northern and southern side of the palace and have beautiful Tibara dalans and side rooms. Built in red sandstone, the court showcases skillfully carved brackets supporting chhajja, a whispering gallery in the second storey and the jalied balustrade crowning each façade. A square chhatri on top of each façade looks quite impressive. An additional floor in the single-storeyed Assembly Hall looks like a hanging balcony. The serpentine brackets originating from the base of its columns help to support the flat ceiling. The wagon-vaulted ceiling crowns the smaller hall to the south. This graceful hall is unique because of the corridor on three of its sides and beautifully carved perforated screens inside it. There is a series of living rooms on its southern side. The western hall has a flat ceiling and elaborate carvings. The room on the southwestern corner of the court has a pyramidal ceiling while that on the northwestern corner has a vaulted lotus ceiling. The rooms on the eastern side have beautiful stuccowork and arabesque designs.