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Agra

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Agra is a large and busy city in India.

1911 Map of Agra Uttar Pradesh India
1911 Map of Agra Uttar Pradesh India

It sits on the banks of the Yamuna river in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The city is about 330 km west of Lucknow. It is also located south-east of Delhi, the national capital. Agra is a very big place with about 1.6 million people.

Agra (Baedeker, 1914)
Agra (Baedeker, 1914)

This makes it the fourth-most populous city in its state. It is part of a special area called the Braj region.

The city has two different histories. One part of the city sits on the east bank of the river. This ancient area is linked to old legends of Krishna. The other part is the modern city on the right bank.

Town and port at agra
Town and port at agra

This modern city was founded by the ruler Akbar in 1558. Before the Mughals, the area was a village or a small town. Sultan Sikandar Lodi rebuilt Agra as a seat of government around 1504. He even built a red sandstone structure in the suburb of Sikandra.

Mariam's Tomb, Sikandra, Agra
Mariam's Tomb, Sikandra, Agra

The Mughal Empire brought a golden age to Agra. Many famous emperors ruled from this city. These leaders included Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan. Under their rule, Agra became a center for arts and learning.

Sikandra 066
Sikandra 066

The emperor Babur even laid out the first formal Mughal garden here. He called it the Aram Bagh. Later, Shah Jahan built the most famous monument in the world. He built the Taj Mahal between 1632 and 1648 for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

I'timād-ud-Daulah, Agra
I'timād-ud-Daulah, Agra

After the Mughal Empire declined, many different groups took control. In the late 18th century, the Jats took the city. Later, the Marathas ruled for a short time. By 1803, the British East India Company took control of the area.

Agra, Main Street, c.1858
Agra, Main Street, c.1858

Agra was even a capital for a small period under British rule. The city saw much change during the Indian rebellion of 1857. Many people had to move into the Agra Fort for safety. Today, the city is a major center for making shoes and leather goods.

Visitors from all over the world come to see Agra today. The Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Agra Cant railway station
Agra Cant railway station

The city is part of the Golden Triangle tourist circuit. This circuit also includes the cities of Delhi and Jaipur. People also travel to Agra as part of the Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arc. While visiting, you can taste famous Mughlai food. The weather is hot and dry in the summer, but the winters are mild.

Petha-from-Agra
Petha-from-Agra
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🖼️ Images & Media (16)
File:Mariam's Tomb, Sikandra, Agra.JPG
Mariam's Tomb, Sikandra, Agra.JPG
File:Town and port at agra.jpg
Town and port at agra.jpg
File:Agra, Main Street, c.1858.jpg
Agra, Main Street, c.1858.jpg
File:1911 Map of Agra Uttar Pradesh India.jpg
1911 Map of Agra Uttar Pradesh India.jpg
File:Agra (Baedeker, 1914).jpg
Agra (Baedeker, 1914).jpg
File:I'timād-ud-Daulah, Agra.jpg
I'timād-ud-Daulah, Agra.jpg
File:Sikandra 066.JPG
Sikandra 066.JPG
File:Petha-from-Agra.JPG
Petha-from-Agra.JPG
File:Agra Cant railway station.jpg
Agra Cant railway station.jpg
File:Railway Map, Agra.jpg
Railway Map, Agra.jpg
File:AGRA-agra railway station BY Fateh.RawKEy.jpg
AGRA-agra railway station BY Fateh.RawKEy.jpg
File:Agra-Inner-Ring-Road02 (32944081270).jpg
Agra-Inner-Ring-Road02 (32944081270).jpg

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