| Agra |
| Population 1,650,00 (in 2008) Altitude 171m Area 188 square km Languages Hindi, Urdu and English |
| Agra is the third biggest city in Uttar Pradesh. It finds mention in the epic Mahabharata when it was called Agrabana, or Paradise. Agra is famous for being home to one of the Seven Wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. The magnificent Mausoleum is dedicated to the eternal love between Emperor Shah Jahan and Empress Mumtaz. The other tourist attractions in Agra city include the huge Agra Fort and the red sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri built by Emperor Akbar. All three of these places are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal empire, of which Agra was the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries. While its significance as a political center ended with the transfer of the capital to Delhi in 1634, its architectural wealth has secured its place on the international map. Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone by craftsmen who are descendants of those who worked under the Mughals. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes. Banks and Internet Agra is a major tourist town and all kind of banking and money changing facilities are available. There are also numerous internet cafes all over town. |
