"AGRA" a Agra Travel Page by peitsing

Agra is on the western bank of the Yamuna Rover, 240km south of Delhi.

I just simply adore AGRA as it has my favourite monument of all time... the Taj Mahal...

To me, Agra would always be a romantic city with a sad and poignant tale.....

The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most extravagant monument ever built for love.

It was said that prior to the death of his wife, Mumtaz Shah, on child birth in 1631, she requested that the Emperor, Shah Jahan, create for her, an emblem, proving his eternal love ......

And so, the rise of the Taj Mahal began... starting with the labour of more than 20,000 people from both India and Central Asia, and it wasn't completed until 1653.

It was said that, all the 20,000 labourers involved in creating this marvelous structure, had either their finger or hand amputated upon completion to prevent the glory of the Taj to be replicated elsewhere.....

Quran scriptures are engraved on the wall so that no evil spirits will ever disturb the souls of the 2 lovers resting for eternity within the semi-precious encrusted walls.

What makes the above story so sad is, in his quest for the throne, Shah Jahan's youngest son, murdered his three elder brothers and imprisoned his father in Musamman Burj, the world's most exquisite prison also encrusted with gems, located within the thick wall of Agra Fort.

This was where Shah Jahan died 7 years later, trapped in his gem-decorated prison, overlooking the Taj Mahal where his beloved wife lies.

It was said prior to his imprisonment, Shah Jahan was in the midst of building a black Taj Mahal on the other side of the Yamuna River.. linked to the white Taj Mahal by a silver bridge....

Imagine.... how glorious that would be if his dream was realised! :P