Images of India - 134

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.

Taj Mahal at Agra

Images of India - 122

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.

Akbar Tomb,  Sikandra 

Images of India - 113

A glimpse of India in black and white. Other posts provide more details on the place.

A glimpse of  Taj Mahal from Agra Fort 

Images of India - 41

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Other posts will give you more details about this monument.

Entrance of fort at Fathepur Sikri

Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikri

Buland Darwaza, the "Gate of Magnificence" is located in Fatehpur Sikri. It was built by the great Mughal emperor, Akbar in 1601 A.D. at Fatehpur Sikri to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. It is a high gateway that guards the southern entrance of the city of Fatehpur Sikri.

Symmetrical in plan It is made of red and buff sandstone. Decorated with small turrets and inlay work by white and black marble it is topped by pillars and chhatris on the top. On the outside a long flight of steps sweeps down the hill giving the gateway additional height.

It is 40 meters high and the total height of the Structure is about 54 meters from the ground level. This exquisite architectural masterpiece is to be seen to soak in its magnificence.

Images of India - 31

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.

Towers around the Akbar Tomb, Sikandra 

Images of India - 6

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Other posts will give you more details about this monument.

Taj Mahal in Agra 

Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra

Sikandra is a small town 8 kms away from Agra in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The main attraction here is the Tomb of Akbar, the Great who is considered as one of the greatest Mughul Emperor.

Akbar started construction of his Tomb during his lifetime around 1600. After his death in 1605, his son Jahangir completed the construction work between 1605-1613.



The tomb complex is entered through very grand gateway built in red sandstone. It is decorated with floral, geometric and calligraphic designs. At the top of the gateway on the four corners, there are four white marble minarets. Once inside one can see huge Charbagh style garden with tomb in center.



The tomb is also built using red sandstone. The facade has a beautiful arch and there are floral, geometric and calligraphic designs in white, red and golden colors. It is a five-tiered pyramid, surmounted by a marble pavilion containing the false tomb in the central chamber on the ground floor. The actual tomb is in the basement. The top most storey is entirely made up of white marble.

Panch Mahal, Fathepur Sikri

Panch Mahal is an important monument in the royal complex Fathepur Sikri built between 1570 and 1585.

It is a five-storey palace and it is located very close to the ladies quarters. For this reason, it is believed that this served as a pleasure palace of Emperor Akbar.He primarily used it for relaxation and entertainment purpose.

This five storey structure, where each storey being smaller than the one upon which it stands. The structure has all together 176 columns. Of this there are 84 are on the ground floor, 56 on the first floor, 20 on the third floor, 12 on the fourth floor and last floor has 4 slender columns.
This pillars are richly carved an there are interesting variety of design and ornamentation on them.

Tomb of Salim Chishti, Fathepur Sikri

The courtyard of Fathepur Sikri has several magnificent monuments. Built between 1580 and 1581, the tomb of Salim Chishti is one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in India. It is the burial place of the famous Sufi saint, Salim Chisti. It was built by Emperor Akbar as a mark of his respect for the Sufi saint. The Saint had predicted the birth of his son Jahangir.

This was initially built in red sand stone and then later converted into white marble structure. The tomb is on the top of a platform and a flight of five steps lead one to its entrance. The tomb is at the center of the main hall i.e., covered by a single semi-circular dome. The door to the main chamber is beautifully carved and has inscriptions from the Koran.

The carved and painted tomb chamber has a white marble floor i.e., inlaid with multicolored stones. All around the building there are delicate marble screens on all sides. They are of different patterns.

Diwan-i-khas, Fathepur Sikri

Diwan-i-khas or Hall of Private Audience is located in the northeast corner of the royal complex, Fathepur Sikri.

It is a red sand stone square symmetrical building measuring 13.18 m on each side. The building has minimal decorations on the exterior with windows filled with a perforated stone screen. At the top there are four beautiful chatris one at each corner. They are octagonal in shape and have a circular dome with an inverted lotus on the top.

But, the central pillar of the building is very ornamental with intricate carvings on it. The pillar has a square base and an octagonal shaft, both carved with bands of geometric and floral designs.

The pillar has thirty-six serpentine brackets that support a circular platform at the top and it is connected to each corner of the building, by four stone walkways. There are various designs even on the stone pathways.

Fathepur Sikri, the Ghost Town

We visited the historic city of Fathepur Sikri on our way from Jaipur to Agra. The city is at a distance of 40 kms from Agra. Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1570 started the construction of this glorious fort city. He shifted his capital to here from Agra and ruled from here till 1585. He had to move out of this place due to severe water scarcity in the region.

This ancient city showcases the fine blend of Indian, Persian and Mughal architectural influences. The fort complex was constructed using sandstone. The complex has several pavilions which were arranged geometrically. Each of the monuments here have distinct styles and architectural designs. There are many interesting monuments and gates in the complex.

Some of them are:

• Buland Darwaza
• Jama Masjid
• Tomb of Salim Chishti
• Diwan-i-Aam
• Diwan-i-Khas
• Panch Mahal
• Birbal's House

As this well persevered royal city of 16th century was abandoned within 14 years of its existence, it is known as Ghost Town.

This place was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

Agra

Agra which is at a distance of 210 kms is situated on the banks of river Yamuna. There are many historical monument every where in the city and Taj Mahal is most prominent among them. No tourist trip to India can be considered as complete without visit to this city.

Agra city known to exist from 11th century, and since then the city changed hands between various kings, both Hindu and Muslim. It has been the capital of the Mughal empire between 1526 and 1658. There are many monumnets here which belong to Mughal period. The city has many attractions:

• Taj Mahal
• Agra Fort
• Balkeshwar Temple
• Kailash Temple
• Mankameshwar Temple
• Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb
• Jama Masjid
• Chini ka Rauza
• Ram Bagh

I had been to this city twice for a day. Unfortunately I have seen only Taj Mahal here. But I have been to other nearby prominent attractions. They are:

• Dayal Bagh
• Fatehpuri Sikri
• Sikandra

Poetry in Stone - 3

This is third in the series of Poetry in Stone. So far it has been about the craftsmanship in ancient temples. But the modern India also has temples that are not so old that are marvelous.

One such temple is Radhoasoami Memorial at Dayalbagh which is at a distance of 15 kms from Agra. Made of white marble has several wonders in stone.
Rose flower carved in white marble.

Hibiscus flowers carved in white marble.

This monument apart from flowers has several other artistic designs all around.

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Taj Mahal, Agra

Taj Mahal located in Agra (State: Uttar Pradesh) is a mausoleum. The construction of this finest example of Mughal architecture started in 1632 and completed in 1653. It combines the elements from Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles.

This white marble structure stands on a square platform and consists of a symmetrical building with an an arch-shaped doorway topped by a large dome. The multi-chambered structure is an unequal octagon that is approximately 55 meters on each of the four long sides.The marble dome at the top is 35 meters in height and is onion shaped.

The minarets at the four corners are more than 40 meters in height. Each minaret is effectively divided into three equal parts by two working balconies that ring the tower.

One of the entrance gate to the Taj Mahal complex.

Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, it stands as a symbol of eternal love. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Radhasoami Memorial, Dayalbagh

Dayalbagh (State: Uttar Pradesh) is at a distance of 15 kms from Agra.

Here, the grand monument Radhasoami memorial is 110 feet high, and is made of pure white marble. The building is under construction for the last 100 years. The architecture is an exquisite mix of temple, gurudwara, vihara and mosque.

The above is the entrance to the memorial.

The stone carvings on colored marble are magnificent. On the inner walls the semi-precious stones in pietra-dura style has been inlaid.

Ganesh Mandir, Jhansi

Inside the Jhansi Fort is the Ganesh Temple used by the royal family for the worship. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

This is a simple temple built in a very small area very close to the gate. In Jhansi (state: Uttar Pradesh) this is one of the most popular temple. The wall behind the temple is the inner walls of the fort. A tour of fort is not complete without a visit to this temple.

Dayalbagh Gardens, Agra

Dayalbagh (State: Uttar Pradesh) is at a distance of 15 kms from Agra. Here in 1861, Shiv Dayal Sahib stared a religious movement known as Radhasoami Satsang Movement, that is an amalgamation of a number of other religions. In his memory his disciples constructed the Dayalbagh Gardens.

This is actually not a flower garden, but home for a monument with beautiful carvings.

Jhansi Fort -2

The fort of Jhansi popularly known as Jhansi Fort is built on hilltop in 1613. The Fort is an architectural delight for his sheer size and the structure. The fort spread across 15 acres of land is about 312m in length and 225m in width. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

There are 10 gates providing access to this fort. Some of these are Khanderao Gate, Datia Darwaza, Unnao Gate, Jharna Gate, Laxmi Gate, Sagar Gate, Orcha Gate, Sainyar Gate and Chand gate.

Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi, inspired patriotism in heart of all her subjects. This particular cannon in the above image is operated by Moti Bai a dancer in the royal court. While defending the fort from the enemies not only men, even women of the state fought bravely.

Jhansi Fort -1

The Jhansi fort (state: Uttar Pradesh) is built by Raja Vir Singh Judeo of Orcha in 1613 on a hilltop called Bangra. The fort covers a sprawling area of 15 acres and this massive fortification with 22 bastions measures about 312m in length and 225m in width. 

There are 10 gates to enter this fort. The important sights in the fort are the two temples - Shiva temple, Ganesh temple, the palace - Panch Mahal, and the Kadak Bijli cannon used in the freedom struggle of 1857.

The fort was a residence of Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi, who fought British army and attained martyrdom. In the fort one of the most important location is the place from where queen jumped out of the fort on horseback. She tied her adopted son on her back and jumped from top of the fort on her horse Pavan. The height of the fort walls on the hillock clearly highlights the courage she had shown.

Once out of the fort she regrouped her army and attacked Gwalior Fort which was under the control of British. She successfully captured this much bigger fort from the British.