"Seeing the Taj" Agra by bradbeaman

I was every Agra tour guide's nightmare. I am seeing the Taj and thats it! No shopping for marble or leather for me and I do not want to see the great-great grandchildren of the craftsmen who built the Taj. I just want to go to the Taj, stop at McDonalds and only drive by and snap a picture of the Red Fort and Sikandar.

Only the strong should go this route because the pressure from the guides to visit the shops is nearly overwhelming. Just say no.

Sikandar

Sikandra is Akbar The Great’s tomb. Contruction begun in 1612. Emperor Akbar [1542-1605] was the greatest mughal emperor. During his reign, he conquered most of India. Both Hindu and Muslim people liked him and the architecture of Sikandar reflects styles of both.

Red Fort

The Agra Fort is 2 kilometers from the Taj Mahal and also located along the Yamuna River. The Agra Fort is also called the Red Fort because of the red sandstone. Construction of the Agra Fort started in 1156, rebuilt by Akbar the Great and was finished in 1605.

Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal, erected most of the buildings inside the Agra Fort. The fort was renovated and converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time.

Later Shah Jahan, was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb in the Agra Fort where he had a view on the building erected for his deceased wife.