Famous Historic Buildings & Archaeological Sites in India, Agra, Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Baby Taj,

India

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Sites

Agra

Taj Mahal

The Red Fort

Baby Taj


	India Agra Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal is one of the most splendid pieces of architecture in the world. It was built by the 5th Mogul emperor of India, Shah Jahan, as a mausoleum to his beloved wife Ar-ju-mand Banu Begum, a Muslim Persian princess better known by her other name, Mumtaz Mahal, which means, the Distinguished of the Palace. The couple met in 1607, when he was 15, and he fell in love, although they weren't married until 1612 when she became his second wife. READ MORE The Red Fort The Red Fort dates back to the 10th century when it started as a simple mud and brick fortress on the banks of the River Yamuna. When Akbar – who was to become known as Akbar the Great (1564-1570) chose Agra as the capital of the Mughal empire, he set about rebuilding the fortress and followed the lines of its original layout, something that accounts for the irregular semi-circle shape of the outer bastioned walls. Started in 1565, it took eight years to build and was one of the largest fortified residences of the Mughal Empire, with over 500 buildings. READ MORE Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula - Baby Taj The Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula’s is in the city of Agra a short distance from the Taj Mahal (see above). It is more commonly known as the ‘Baby Taj’ as it is thought to have been the model for the Taj Mahal, although it is also referred to as the 'jewel box'. The Tomb was built between 1622 and 1628 as the mausoleum of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, the chief treasurer under the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, who gave him the title of 'I'timad-ud-Daulah', which means 'Pillar of the State'. READ MORE

All Photographs were taken by and are copyright of Ron Gatepain