Agra has three world heritages which is similar in number as in Delhi. These three world heritage sites in Agra are Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur shikri. The Taj Mahal is a world heritage site and consist a symbolic character that is the Symbol of Love. The architecture of Taj Mahal is like a Palace but not used for residence of Mughals. This symmetrical building built to house the mausoleum of Mumtaj Mahal. While the Agra fort and Fateh pur shikri built earlier by the ancestor of Shah Jahan to use these fort as capital fort.
The most visited monument in India is Taj mahal because of its beauty and simple yet intricate artistic design. This great master piece took around 22 years to finally appear in this form. Taj Mahal complex has many other buildings which constitute the complex as a whole. The Royal gate is the main entrance of the Taj Mahal.
archtectur and the designof TAJ MAHAL
The Taj Mahal built on the bank of River Yamuna on its south bank. The complex of Taj Mahal has other buildings like museums and water tank and the surrounding wall. The design of Taj Mahal is very massive standing on a seven meter high platform. The platform is in white marble has also its ground platform of red and yellow sandstone, is around one meter high from the surface. These lower platform actually the main platform where three buildng built. These three are The Mosque on the west the Taj Mahal in the center and the Guest house on the east side.
The mosque and the guest house on either sides of Taj Mahal, built in red sandstone and white marble. The design and architecture is same and very efficiently worked out by the artisans. The mosque is associated with almost all the building of Mughal and Sultanate period. With an ablution tank provided for the devotees. The guest house is not for the purpose of staying the guest but to distribute food, cloths and other gifts to the people on different occasion. Agra has three world heritages site and the Taj Mahal is also a wonder of the world. In 2017 the new seven wonders of the world campaign resulted in new and old wonders. And among other monuments, selection of the Taj Mahal became a wonder of the world on its popularity basis.
Taj Mahal and its structure
The central building the Taj mahal built on seven meter high platform is actually the basement area with many chambers. The actual grave of Mumtaj Mahal and later the Emperor Shah Jahan is located here. There is a staircases to go down in this chamber which is in the center of the Taj Mahal. The Replica of the real grave in same size and designs built upstairs for the visitors. The center chamber is surrounded with four chambers in octagonal shape to hold the main Tomb.
The other two world heritages of Agra
Agra has three world heritages site and the two fort also constitute this list. The Agra fort and the Fatehpur shikri. The Agra fort built in 1503 -1507 by the then Emperor of India Sikandar Lodi. He also shifted his capital from Delhi to Agra for first time. In 1565-72 Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great built and repaired the fort as it appear now. This is a massive Fort and completely enclosed with high fortified red sandstone wall. It has 4 gates and many palaces built for different purposes. The main attraction of the Agra fort mostly built in red sandstone and later provided with marble also.
The fort is built of bricks and had mortar plaster with many paintings and carving. Akbar decided to provide this fort great protection by building another rampart wall over the brick wall. In this way the fort has two fortification and its entrance presently from Amar singh gate earlier Akbar gate. here one can see the moat surrounding the fort. passing the moat provided by the wooden bridge now fixed but before lifted to close the entrance of anyone. and the moat had the water difficult for enemy to cross easily.
The fort is in semi octagonal shape and has many different palaces like public audience hall, private meeting hall, summer palace and winter palace. The others are well and factories to make coins and arms, ammunition. The beautiful design of Jodha Bai or Jahangir palace is really attractive.
The marble Palaces inside the Agra fort
While Jahangir Mahal and summer and winter palace of Agra Fort is in red sand stone. It has some building built from bricks later renovated. The Jahangir Palace exterior is attractive. It is on the right side as you reach the Fort complex by walking on the elephant path. The path is a slope for elephants to walk easily. most palaces starts from the entrance of Jahangir Palace. From the entrance of the palace you can walk through the summer palace, dancing courtyard, Jodha Bai Temple and a library. As you pass the library there is an open courtyard with water tank and windows towards the yamuna river. this area is devided in two parts called as summer and winter palace.
From these windows one can easily see the Taj Mahal. These are for the royal ladies who passed their time in harem area. Passing from here a white plastered palace used by Shah Jahan as his office and an octagonal east facing balcony with many pillars. Now no trace of its actual purpose but if you investigate you find clamps for swing. The Emperor enjoyed their time with wives and family by looking toward Yamuna river. The Palaces of Marble is completely replaced by Shah Jahan from sandstone. A raw of three palaces with garden area and many chambers around the garden for ladies of the harem. There is a mirror palace closed for visitors to enter but one can see the glass work and bathtub in this Royal private room.
the legacy of Mussamman burj
The most attractive palace is Mussamman Burj situating on the north-east tower in marble. The Palace importance can be understood that the Noor Jahan wife of Jahangir and very powerful lady of the court used this Palace. When Shah Jahan Became Emperor his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal used this beautiful Palace. The Marble building with fountain and numerous precious and semi-precious stone engraved on the walls of this palace for the high rank ladies. It was this Palace where Shah Jahan spent his last seven years while imprisoned by his own son.
from here one can take the stairs to see other buildings. The open pillared hall for meeting high profile people has some Persian inscription. In the open area there is a big black marble stone used for the Jahangir to give orders. The Turkish bath and ladies chambers in series now closed and a mosque for ladies are worth exploring. The garden courtyard for artificial fishing tank and market purposes. From this area you can take a narrow flight of stairs to enter Deewan-e-Aam. There is one more big building which is on the south of Deewan-e-Aam is a Mosque. The mosque is Moti Mosque or Pearl mosque. It is open for visitors but you need to go barefoot.
fatehpur shikri the world heritage
Fatehpur shiklri is another world heritage site built by Akbar in 1569. He shifted his capital form Agra to Fatehpur shikri which is only 38 km from Agra and also fall in the district of Agra. This was the first city and capital built by Akbar. before it he repaired and built massive parts of Agra fort founded by Siklandar Lodi. But the water scarcity forced Akbar to shift his capital again to Agra fort. The massive architecture and structure of this red sandstone fort is really impressive.
The fort is close to National highway NH 21 which leads to Jaipur Rajasthan. It takes around one hour to reach Fatehpur shikri from main Agra city. the entrance provided from two sides, i.e. Deewan-e-aam and Jodha Bai Palace. From Jodha Bai Palace one can visit the famous Sufi Saint tomb of Salim Chishti in the complex of Jama Mosque built by Akbar for the Saint and their subject. The sothern gatway of this Mosque is the world largest gateway and UNESCO designated world heritage monument.
THE TREASURY HOUSE AND OTHER PALACES OF THE FORT
In front of the Diwan-e-Khas on the west side one can see a three rooms building, surrounded with a pillared gallery. This building is only for the purpose of accumulating the treasury of the Empire. This place is situated on a high rocky place from the ground. And so one can have a glimpse of the nearby village and national highway 21 which goes to Rajasthan from here.
Next to the building on its south is a pillared structure used to be the madarsa or school for the royal princesses. Also used to watch the musical dance or concerts from its top can be climbed by the flight of steps. On its west the five storeys building called panch mahal is an open fabulous pillared pavilion. It has more than 170 stone pillar that hold the whole building and their architecture is different in each storey. This palace is used to be the resting place of Emperor with their consorts.
Moving ahead on the southeast from this building there is an artificial pond with a central square stone platform for the musician. The Emperor Akbar was fond of many different things in his lifetime. He was fond of arts, architecture, books , knowledge, music, hunting,warfare as well as administration and perfection in his work. The famous musician Tansen was his musician and played many songs and music for the Emperor. So this platform in the pond was for music.
The Jodha Bai Palace of Fatehpur shikri
The Jodhabai Mahal is a massive building in this fort of Fatehpur shikri. It has many rooms and chambers for ladies of harem. There is a big square courtyard with a central flower pot. On the west of the palace a beautiful open hall is a temple for Jodhabai. This is the temple where Jodhabai worshiped her Deity according to Hindu religion.
The north side of the palace with blue tile roof known as summer Palace. While on the opposite side the Palace is called as winter palace. The summer palace is attached with the over bridge, on its back side and also allow the air to cool the building. While the winter palace has almost no any window or ventilator to keep the room warm. The staircases are closed for the public and rooms are dark inside. So it is advised not to go inside or stay for long.
As it is 16th century old building and built completely of red sand stone houses many parrots, pigeons and also bat in the dark areas. This sturdy building shows the intention of the Emperor who focuses all the comfort for his wife Jodhabai. It is because Jodhabai gave birth the child Salim who later became the emperor of India.