100 DAYS OF STEEM : Day 62 - Wednesday Challenge - Tourist Guide for the Day

Tourism places in my city

So I'm from Agra "The city of Taj Mahal, the monument of eternal love".

Agra Tourism

Home to one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal, Agra is a sneak peek into the architectural history with other UNESCO World Heritage Sites as Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. History, architecture, romance all together create the magic of Agra and hence makes for a must-visit for anyone living in or visiting India.

The above highlighted places are must visit place for everyone who live in India or comes to visit from a foreign country. Including Taj mahal along with Agra fort And fatehpur sikri.

Red Fort in agra

The construction of the Agra fort was started around 1565, when the initial structures were built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, and subsequently taken over by his grandson Shah Jahan, who added most of the marble creations to the fort.

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Agra Fort is a historical fort in the city of Agra in India. It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. Before capture by the British, the last Indian rulers to have occupied it were the Marathas.

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this place is temporarily closed because of COVID-19 pandemic

Taj Mahal

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The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the southern bank of the river Yamuna in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal; it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself.

reason why taj mahal is called monument of love

It was then when he(Shah jahan)realised that he had promised the Empress a huge monument and he commenced the work of Taj Mahal in the memory of his beloved wife. This is why the monument of love title was awarded to the great building, Taj Mahal situated in the city of Agra making the city's name also as 'the city of love.

A movie is also made called Taj Mahal: monument of love. More information

President Donald trump also visited this place

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My favourite Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri is a small city in northern India, just west of Agra, founded by a 16th-century Mughal emperor. Red sandstone buildings cluster at its center. Buland Darwaza gate is the entrance to Jama Masjid mosque. Nearby is the marble Tomb of Salim Chishti. Diwan-E-Khas hall has a carved central pillar. Jodha Bais Palace is a mix of Hindu and Mughal styles, next to the 5-story Panch Mahal that overlooks the site.

Fatehpur Sikri, was once the celebrated capital of Mughal Emperor Akbar till 1585. The city was built to honour the Sufi saint Salim Chishti and the entire palace complex is built around the Sufi saint's tomb. The city is really famous for its historical monuments and you must visit them if you are in the city.

Why fateh pur sikri is termed as "Ghost Town"

A temporary capital during the reign of King Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri and its vestiges are an important part of the history of the Mughal Empire

According to legend, in 1568, King Akbar, who seemed doomed not to have any offspring, went to consult with a Sufi saint in the town of Sikri. A few years later, three heirs were born to him.

Out of gratitude to this holy man, the king built the city of Fatehpur Sikri, literally ‘city of victory'. For nearly 10 years, Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal Empire, but it was abandoned by its creator for lack of an adequate water supply. This village, which was inhabited for four centuries, has numerous architectural splendours. Behind the door of Agra, you will visit several tombs that are sumptuous palaces, like that of Jodha Bai, wife of Akbar and daughter of the Maharaja of Jodhpur, or that of Panch Mahal, all of carved wood with a triangular silhouette. North of the plaza, you will cross the hall where private hearings take place, the Diwan-i-Khas, whose centre is marked by a majestic column. And, nearby is the Great Mosque or Jama Masjid, known for its sublime door and openwork screens.

Places to visit in Fateh pur sikri

(1). Buland Darwaza

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The name Buland Darwaza literally means magnificent gate in Urdu and the total height of the structure is 54 meters from the ground. It was built 1601, by the Emperor Akbar to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. The architecture of the doorway is unique and the craftsmanship is brilliant. Buland Darwaza is made from red sandstone with carved marble and granite inlays. On the main gateways an inscription in Persian reads ‘Jesus son of Mary said, “The world is a bridge pass over it, but build no houses upon it. He, who hopes for a day, may hope for eternity; but the World endures but an hour. Spend it in prayer for the rest is unseen”’. The inscription is exemplary of the religious tolerance during the reign of the great Mughal Emperor.

(2). Diwan-I-Khas

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Diwan-i-Khas (hall of the private audience) is one of the most interestingly orate buildings in Fatehpur Sikri. The most exquisite things to see here is the central tower which is also known the Lotus Throne is exemplary of the fine detail in this stone carved mastery. The pillar supports a walkway which connects the 4 corners of the first floor into a central circular platform meant for the emperor Akbar. The hall was meant for special people and religious leaders who wanted or were summoned for a private audience with the Emperor.

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(3). Jodhabai Palace (Mariam-uz-Zamani Palace)

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This place is Known alternatively as Mariam-uz-Zamani Palace, the place was the living quarter of the Mughal Queen Jodhabai. Jodhabai Palace was also considered to be the Emperor’s Harem where the other women belonging to the women of the royal harem. Nevertheless the building is one of the most important buildings in the complex owing to its amazing architecture. The architecture is a rich amalgamation of the Hindu Rajputana styles with the Islamic Mughal style due to Jodhabai belonging to the Hindu Rajput clans of Amer (Jaipur).

(4). Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti

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The tomb of Seikh Salim Chisti is essentially the most important buildings in the palace complex and was built between 1580 and 1581. The building is made of carved white marble and is one of the finest examples of the artistic stone carving mastery in medieval India. The architecture is a cross between the Hindu and Mughal architecture and is surrounded with intricately carved marble screens known as ‘Jaalis’ from all sides. The mausoleum belongs to the Sufi saint Salim Chishti who lived at a ridge near the city. During the time the city was inhabited, it served as one of the major centers of the Sufi movement in India.

(5).Jama Masjid

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Jama Masjid or the central mosque was built by Akbar under the directions of Salim Chishti. The structure is rectangular and made with carved red sandstone. The inside of the mosque is decorated with stone carved Mirhabs or altars and is one of the prized collection of Mughal Architecture and marks the transition of the Islamic architecture which was combined with the Hindu style architecture.

(6).Panch Mahal

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Panch Mahal consists of 5 stories which are built in a pyramidal structure and are supported by a total of 176 columns. The pillars were separated with stone carved meshes or Jaalis in older times and were probably meant for the women of the Zanana enclosure that is located nearby. All the columns are made of sandstone and are intricately carved. The structure is also called the ‘Badgir’ or the wind catcher tower and the pool in front of the building is known as Anoop Talav. The main purpose of this building is known to be entertainment and was often used for various theatrical, musical and dance performances.

While there are several other important buildings at the palace city of Fatehpur Sikri, the aforementioned places are few of the most important and must visit tourist places in Fatehpur Sikri.

This city is indeed one of the must visit places of Uttar Pradesh. A guided tour to this once pompous capital of the Mughals in India is a must to experience the true historic depth it contains.