UNESCO World Heritage City Agra, India
Why Agra is known as the city of Taj Mahal?
Agra is known as the city of Taj Mahal, because Agra is popular all over the world because of the Taj Mahal only. It is a state on the northern state of Uttar Pradesh of India and is located near the River Yamuna. It is the most populated city of Uttar Pradesh with population more than 1.5 million.
Origin of Agra, India
As per Mahabharata, Agra was referred as the forest of Agraban, and was founded in the year 1475 during the reign of Raja Badal Singh. However a Persian poet named Mas'udSa'd Salman mentions about Agra in the 11th century. The ancient fort of Agra, Badalgarh, from the reign of Raja Badal Singh should be somewhere near or on the present fort.
When and why the capital of India Delhi moved to Agra?
In 1506, the capital of India Delhi was moved to Agra by Sultan Sikandar Lodi. After that his son Ibrahim Lodi also used Agra as the capital city. Later on he was defeated by the Persian King Babur. Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire then sent his son Humayun to capture the city. They not only captured Agra, but also stole Koh-i-Noor the largest diamond of that time. Under the rule of Mughals, Agra lived its glory days between 1526 and 1658 and it was then called Akbarabad.
UNESCO World Heritage sites or buildings of Agra
Muhgals are inclined towards architecture, and most of the enthralling buildings that we see today belong to the Mughal period between 15th and 16th centuries. Among those buildings three of them are UNESCO World Heritages and they are Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.
History of Taj Mahal Agra, India
He was Akbar the grandson of Babar who made Akbarabad as the center of arts, culture and commerce and religion. City of Fatehpur Sikri was also constructed by him on being inspired by a Mughal military camp.
In the 17th century, Cihangir( Jahangiri) made Akbarabad the hotspot of Muslim world. It was his son SahCihan (Shahjahan) who ordered for constructing the Taj Mahal in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The mausoleum was completed in 1653. After that, Shah Jahan once again made Delhi as the capital city of India and this way Agra lost its importance.
How Agra got its name as Agra again?
When rule of Mughal Empire declined of, the city went under the control of Marathas and Jads, and the city was started to be called as Agra. In 1803, the city went under the control of British which continued until the independence of India in 1947.