Essays

India is a country of rich culture and centuries of history and tradition of its own. Thus the country is full of places which are rich in traditions, are important historically, economically, politically or sociologically. Moreover, the diversity that it presents baffles many because the diversity is not only geographical but social and cultural as well. Thus, India attracts thousands of tourists from all around the globe.

Last year, I had a chance to visit Agra with my uncle's family. As soon as I got the invitation, I accepted it because Agra has been a great centre of art and architecture during the Mughal period. It goes to Akbar's credit to transform Agra into a great city of cultural and historical importance.

History stands testimony that the old brick fort of Sikandar Lodhi was dismantled by Akbar and a magnificent fortress of rust coloured sandstone was built- For the same reason the Fort of Agra is also known as 'Lal Quila". This fort was built by Akbar in AD 1565. It took 8 years to be completed. The Fort is said to have 500 buildings in the style of Bengali and Gujrati architecture. This is what Akbar’s historian Abul Fazal had recorded. But unfortunately only a few survive today and the successors of Akbar too subsequently made a few changes and additions. The Fort stands on the banks of the river Yamuna with double walls to protect it, These walls are very high.

The fort has four gates. Presently, the entry to the Fort is allowed through the gate in the south of the fort called the Amar Singh Rathore Gate. Just outside the gate is a stone statue of a horse's head built by Amar Singh Rathore of Jodhpur in remembrance of his faithful horse that had jumped the walls of the fort and lost its legs in order to save its master.

The other two gates near the river situated in the North and East are closed now, The gate on the West side of the fort is called the Delhi Gate at whose entrance are the famous statues of Jamal and Patta who had laid down their lives fighting for Akbar The space between the Fort and the river was used for holding elephant fights.

Right behind is Akbar's majestic Palace - the roof and floor of which are made of red stone. The Diwan-e-Aam of the Palace was the place he held his Durbar and dispensed justice. We also saw the Diwan-e-Khas and the Machhli Bhavan. Close to the Diwan-e-Aam is the Meena Bazaar. To the west is the building which is a very curious kind of a Hide and Seek building.

It is said that Akbar was indebted to the blessings of Sufi of Sikri, Sheikh Salim Chisti (or the birth of his three sons. Therefore, in order to show his gratitude Akbar built and developed Sikri and decided to shift his capital there. The place is 40 km to the South-west of Agra, He named it as Fatehpur Sikri, The buildings at Fatehpur Sikri are outstanding in their carvings. There is an Ibadat-Khana built for holding discussions on matters of religion. But the crowning glory of the city is the Jama Mosque which can accommodate 10,000 worshippers and is believed to be the replica of the Mosque at Mecca. It is a monumental example of the mixture of Persian and Indian Style- Inside the Mosque is the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti, Right at the entrance of the Mosque is the famous Buland Darwaza which is 41 metres high. Other structures to see at Fatehpur Sikri are the Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai's Palace, the Sunhera Makan and many other buildings.

We also went to see the great Taj Mahal on the banks of the river Yamuna. The monument is truly a wonder. It is beautifully decorated with precious and carved stones. It is built in the memory of Shah Jahan's beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The real tomb of the queen lies in a small room downstairs made of white and black marbles. Scriptures and verses from the Quran are engraved on the walls along with lovely floral designs and different coloured carved precious stones.

It is really a 'dream in marble' as thousands of poets have attempted to describe it in many ways. One gets speechless on seeing this great spectacle of marble. It is extremely mesmerizing, Since then Agra and Fatehpur Sikri have become my favourite place- I am now eagerly waiting for another chance to visit Agra.