Agra History

Agra was the imperial capital of the Mughal Empire during 16th and 17th century before it shifted to Delhi. The Mughals were fertile builder who had built greatest monument whose architecture is famous all over the world. Agra is situated on the banks of the Yamuna River and lies in the centre of a colorful cultural territory. Agra became capital of Sikandra Lodi in 1501, but when Agra was passed on the Mughal ruled by Babur followed by Humayun who made some early construction here. Akbar, jehangir and Shah Jahan flourished the heritage of India by building some extravagant monuments. Wit the decline of the Mughals, Agra was captured by the Jats, the Marathas and finally the British.

Babur contributed toward Indian heritage by building “Ram Bagh” in Agra followed by his grand son Akbar who continued tradition of his family. Akbar built massive Agra fort in 1565. From 1570 till 1585 he ruled from nearby Fatehpur sikri and moved to Lahore and returned to Agra in 1599. His son Jehangir doesn’t had much love with Agra. Shah Jahan was ultimate lover of this city. The one of biggest masterpiece of world was built by Shah Jahan that is Taj Mahal whose construction took 22 years to complete in 1653. Most of the palaces of Agra fort which is second biggest monument after Taj in Agra were also constructed by Shah Jahan and many more in his name.

In 1761 Agra fell to Jats who did not much damage to the city and its monuments and then it was taken by Marathas in 1770 and went through several more changes before the British took control in 1803.