Travel Tips

The Mughal Palaces and Monuments in India are the most perfect example of symmetry, aesthetic beauty and functionality.
The Taj Mahal is , of course , the most spectacular example of all of these qualities. Gardens and Water features were extremely important., and are found around all the important Palaces, Tombs and Monuments.
The craft ,workmanship and design that went into the building of these historical treasures will never be surpassed.
The Mughal Era was the pinnacle of Music, Poetry, Art and Culture in India.It reached its zenith during the reign of Emporer Shah Jehan, in Shahanabad (now called Old Delhi)

Delhi has fine examples of Mughal monuments, tombs, forts and palaces.The Red Fort, which was partly demolished by the British, and made headquarters of the British Indian Army, is today the biggest tourist attraction in Delhi. Viewing this Fort and Palace within, one gets an idea of the gracious and refined lives that the Mughals chose to live. In many parts of Old Delhi, tucked away in narrow lanes and often defaced by shopfronts, one may still catch a glimpse of a beautifully carved entrance to a haveli, or a hidden courtyard filled with a garden and trees.Hamayun's Tomb is another example of perfect symmetry.

This tomb has around it beautifully laid out gardens and trees, with a water channel leading up to the tomb. The symmetry and beauty of this monument is simply awesome.

Built in 1193, and still standing, this is the tallest brick minaret in the world.
It is surrounded by structures and old ruins that make up the Qutab Minar Complex.

For more information on these monuments

Visit Delhi and Agra

The Taj Mahal - was built by Shah Jehan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz-who died giving birth to her 13th child. Its beauty and symmetry are unsurpassed, and it is the most recognizable monument in the world.
The tombs of the couple are housed within.

Pleas see my AGRA page for information on Taj Mahal

The Mughal Empire flourished from1526 until Aurangzebs death in 1707. After that the dynasty declined under weak rulers, and finally ended after Bahudar Shah, the last ruler in Delhi-was exiled to Burma in 1857.He died in exile.

The first six rulers were:

BABUR -1526-1530
HUMAYUN - 1530-1536
AKBAR - 1556-1605
JAHANGIR -1605-1627
SHAH JEHAN - 1627-1658
AURANGZEB - 1658-1707

The Mughals, like their contemporaries the Ottomans in Turkey and the Tudors in England, were a powerful and influential dynasty.They ruled India for over 300 years, their empire extending from Kandahar (Afganistan) to Bengal in the east- and from Kashmir to the southern Deccan.
They were great patrons of arts and crafts, literature and music.Architecture reached its heights under their patronage, with the Taj Mahal as the jewel in the crown.
The Mughals encouraged and succeeded in blending the best of Islamic and Hindu traditions.