Agra is well known all over the world and is visited by averagely one million people a year, because this is the place where is located the fabulous Taj Mahal. Other notable historic buildings are Akbar's fort, the Pearl Mosque, and the Great Mosque. The city of Agra, Uttar Pradesh state, is on the Yamuna River. An important rail and air junction, commercial center, and a district administrative headquarters, it is noted for shoes, glass products, handicrafts, carpets, and historic architecture.

Taj Mahal, Agra

Built with immaculate white marble, the structure of Taj Mahal is very symmetric. The construction of this marble masterpiece is credited to the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan who erected this mausoleum in memory of his beloved wife Arjumand Bano Begum; known as Mumtaz Mahal.

People & Lifestyle

Racially, Uttar Pradesh was the homeland of the Aryans but there have since been a number of combination patterns. The city of Agra has cosmopolitan population that includes a large number of Bengalis, Khattris from west Pakistan, Andhras, Tamilians and others. To most visitors Agra is synonymous with the legendry Taj Mahal. Yet the Taj Mahal is not Agra. The city encompasses more life and passion than what is symbolized merely by the awesome mausoleum to love and beauty. More of the city's exquisite charm lies in its blend of a grand past and a lively present.

Handicrafts

Agra is famous for its exquisite marble inlay work and this craftsmanship is executed on trinkets and cigarette boxes, capturing the special beauty of the image of the Taj Mahal and Itimad-ud-Daula Mausoleum. An important local craft is a special type of coloured embroidery fashioned on dark velvet with gold or silver thread. Like lace-work, it is ideal for handbags and caps so popular with Muslim men which glimmer occasionally with semiprecious stones. The city is also renowned for its carpets.