Agra



Supplier Alliance partners in lobby in new Indian clothes ready for a day of site seeing

We left in the AM to the visit Fatehpur Sikri, the 16^th century capital of the Munghal rulers.  The great Mughal Emperor Akbar built a beautiful capital city about 40 km from Agra.  It is built entirely of red sandstone.  It was the capital city for only 15 years because it lacked water and is one of the few major cities that was not on a river.  The mosque was also extraordinary and is still in use today.

Beautiful example of Mughal architecture

Local boy hamming it up for the Americans

inside the mosque

After lunch, we visited Agra fort, built in 1565 by Akbar and was developed by his successors. The fort was a military structure and became the palace of Emperor Shah Jehan, who built the Taj Mahal.  It became Shah Jehan’s prison and he was able to see the tomb of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Our group with Mughal, our guide for all sites in Agra, at the Fort


Part of the hareem in the living quarters of the fort

View of Taj Mahal from the fort with all of the smog


We finished out the day learning about the ancient skill of marble working that has been passed down since the building of the Taj Mahal and we met descendants of those workers. After that, a little shopping and off for a special dinner recommended by Shelia at the Amarvila's hotel.

Cutting precious stones for mable inlays