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Perhaps no other historical monument has evoked as much
awareness and admiration from tourists and travellers
alike, as the magnificent Taj Mahal - fondly called by
people as the ultimate requiem of love, from a great
Mughal Emperor to his beloved.
So overwhelming is the exquisite beauty and presence of
this marble mausoleum that centuries later today, even
the very land where it has been located - Agra - has
been immortalised as the City of the Taj. Yet, it doesn't
take much for the roving eye to discover that there's
more to Agra than just the fabled Taj Mahal. |
The city is a virtual gateway to a world of discovery.
a freeze-frame from a resplendant era that's long since
gone by. In the great epic 'Mahabharat' the region of
Agra is described as 'Agraban' (an integral part of the
Brij Bhumi or the land of Lord Krishna). The latter part
of Indian history outlines the origins of Agra to 1475
A.D., when the reign of Raja Badal Singh.
However, Agra came into limelight during the rule of
Afghan King Sikandar Lodhi - who had made it the capital
of his empire.Later in 1526 A.D., the Mughal Emperor
Babar took upon himself the task for rendering Agra, a
unique character and beauty of its own. The visionary
that he was and a great patron of the arts, Emperor
Babar brought in a change in the culture and life-style
among the people of Agra, which then brought forth some
of the finest craftsmen, artists, statesmen, warriors
and nobility, this part of India had ever withnessed.
The golden age of Agra's history, thus began to set in. |
The
next few hundred years of Agra witnessed the rise
of the pomp and pageantry of three great Mughal
monarchs - Emperor Akbar, Jehangir and ShahJahan -
all of whom lavished on this fabled city, their
love and riches immeasurable to transform the land
into one of the great centers of art, culture,
learning and commerce.
Much of the city's impressive past lives in
evidence even today, in the hunting presence
inside the monuments, the majesty of the
buildings, the exquisite arts and crafts and not
to forget, the lure of an exceptional cuisine.
all, cherished as priceless legacies of a
nostalgic past. |

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The
older city of Agra has impressively retained much
of its resplendent history. captivating every
visitor with fond memories to take back home.
Today, luxury and modern convenience also exist
adjacent to tradition - luxury hotels, shopping
malls and plazas, wide avenues and a superb choice
of venues for recreation, business, sports,
pleasure, education and the arts.

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