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Prologue: When it comes to reading and sharing travel stories, then Team BHP is the place to be. After every road trip the eagerness to share the experience is quite high. Then there are some interesting travel experiences from the past which too need to be shared. So here is one such lovely experience dating back to 2011 when I went on road trip to Agra and Jhansi in a Maruti-800. Recalling the events in entirety from an old trip is not easy but nonetheless the photographs and the trip log helps a lot.
Itinerary:The trip was spread across six days which included two full days of travel from Chandigarh to Agra and back. Three days were earmarked for sightseeing within and around Agra on a leisurely pace which included Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, Emperor Akbar’s Tomb at Sikandra and Fatehpur Sikri, the erstwhile capital founded by Emperor Akbar. Finally one day was reserved for a visit to Jhansi Fort.
Some random photographs from the trip: Day 1: (Chandigarh to Agra: 478 km) (Route Via: Ambala, Karnal, Panipat, Delhi, Faridabad, Hodal, Mathura)
After breakfast rolled out by 0800 Hrs. The drive up till Ambala was steady due to morning daily commuters traffic but soon speeded up after joining the Grand Trunk road at Ambala Cantonment. By 1130 Hrs entered Delhi from Kundli border and by the time reached Mukarba Chowk got caught in heavy traffic. Took outer ring road and crossed Raj Ghat, Pragati Maidan, Sarai Kale Khan and moved towards Ashram flyover from where took left to head towards Faridabad. It took almost 1 hour and 15 mins to cross the Delhi traffic. Crossed Faridabad by 1400hrs and made a pit stop for lunch at Hodal which is the last town in Haryana near Haryana - Uttar Pradesh border. Had our lunch at Haryana Tourism’s Dabchick Resort, Hodal. After lunch started again at 1600Hrs and crossed Mathura by 1730Hrs and reached Agra at 1900Hrs.
Route Taken (Courtesy: Google Maps)
Day 2: Local sightseeing in Agra. (Agra Fort, Taj Mahal & Itimad-ud-Daulah)
The plan for the day was to first visit Agra Fort and then proceed to Taj Mahal. As it was our very first visit we requested for a guide at the hotel itself so as to avoid any hassles. The manager was nice enough to arrange for a local off duty staff member who was well versed with the area. Agra Fort was 2 km from our hotel and our guide navigated us through narrow lanes of old city and we reached our destination in about 15 minutes. After parking the car near the main entrance we entered the fort. At ticket counter we got to know that entry for the day is free as the archaeological department was celebrating heritage week. The day started on a foggy note as it was the last week of November and winter was around the corner. As the day progressed gradually the fog lifted and it became sunny with periods of haze in between.
Agra Fort: The Agra Fort represents the first major building project of Emperor Akbar. It was built between 1565-1575 AD on the site of an earlier castle. Emperor Shahjahan made further additions to it in the next century. Primarily the stress was to make the fort as a military structure with strength as a major consideration, nonetheless the ornamental aspect was blended in to give the fort a special aesthetic character. Initially the fort had 500 buildings, constructed in the beautiful Bengali and Gujarati style of architecture but now quite a few remain. Nonetheless they are a testimony to the marvel of Indian architecture during the reigns of Emperor Akbar and Shahjahan at Agra. The notable buildings in the fort are Akbari Mahal, Jahangiri Mahal, Shahjahani Mahal, Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Musamman Burj, Shish Mahal, Moti Masjid and Dilli Darwaza. Agra Fort was declared as a monument of national importance in 1920. Since then, the Archaeological Survey of India has been responsible for its conservation and maintenance. The Agra Fort provides the visitors with an opportunity to appreciate Mughal architecture and also offers a peep into the administrative system and the life and times of the Mughal Empire.
When talking about Mughal Empire the discussion is incomplete without the mention of its adversaries and the most prominent among them was the legendary warrior
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who challenged the suzerainty of the Mughal Empire and never bowed before their might.
Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in front of Agra Fort Amar Singh Gate: Located on the south end of the fort, Amar Singh Gate also known as Amar Singh Darwaza serves as the main public entrance. The other two prominent gates are the Delhi Gate or Dilli Darwaza which lies on the western side and Water Gate which lies on the eastern side of the fort. Amar Singh Gate The fort has well strengthened walls and fortifications surrounded by a deep moat to withstand attacks. Diwan-i-Aam: The hall of public audience is a common structure found across most of the Mughal era buildings. The place was used for holding meetings between the public and the monarchy along with senior administrative officers. Diwan-i-Aam The royal chamber in Diwan-i-Aam Garden in front of Diwan-i-Aam John Colvin’s Tomb: There is a tomb in front of Diwan-i-Aam building which belongs to a senior British officer named John Russel Colvin who was posted in Agra during the uprising of 1857. He had taken shelter in Agra Fort during the uprising and died here due to illness. Tomb in front of Diwan-i-Aam
Taj Mahal: Unique among the world’s famous architectural wonders, the Taj Mahal stands on the bank of River Yamuna, adorning the skyline of Agra. It was built by the fifth Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in memory of his second wife, Arjumand Bano Begum. Being the most favourite queen of Emperor Shah Jahan, she received the title of Mumtaz Mahal after her marriage to Shah Jahan. The construction of this fine marble tomb began in 1631 AD and was completed in seventeen years. It is said that twenty thousand workmen, worked day and night to complete it. The material was brought in from all over India and Central Asia. The architecture and its adornments are linked to the passion of eternal love that inspired it. The beauty of the Taj Mahal lies in its perfect proportions. The octagonal structure is topped by a fine dome and balanced by four tapering minarets at the edge of the platform. Within the dome lies the jewel-inlaid Cenotaph of the Queen. Standing in a beautiful garden embellished with waterways and fountains the garden tomb is framed by sandstone walls and tall gateways. The exquisite workmanship of the Taj has been described as “Been designed by giants and finished by jewellers”.
The Iconic Taj Gates: There are two gateways which serve as entrance, the East Gate and the West Gate. Both the gates are quite similar in construction with their outer facades having a broad center with a vaulted archway in a rectangular frame set between gates topped with polygonal shafts. The Western gate is most widely used by the tourists.
The Western Gate Main Gateway: The last structure to be erected in the Taj Mahal walled enclosure was the imposing main gateway, which is a towering hundred feet high structure appropriately constructed in the middle of southern side of the perimeter wall.
The Main Gateway Garden & Water Works: The garden decorating the tomb is known as ‘Charbagh’ or four gardens as it has been divided into. There is a water channel with fountains which runs in the middle of the garden. Two parallel pathways are laid alongside the water channel. A raised square marble tank with five fountains adorns the center of the garden. The water channel and the fountains were fed by water lifted from River Yamuna with the help of two wheel lifts run by bullocks. The water lifted by wheel lifts was stored in high level tanks which ultimately fed the water works. Presently the system is run through electric motors.
Taj Mahal Garden The water channel leading to Taj Mahal Water channel while looking towards main gateway Square Marble Tank Water channel extending from eastern to western end
Taj Mosque: The Taj Mahal Mosque is a very elegant structure which lies to west of Taj Mahal. Its walls are ornamented with marble inlaid in red sandstone in attractive geometric and floral designs. The octagonal turrets at its angles are crowned with kiosks with marble coverings. Atop the structure are three marble domes, bulbous in shape the central being the largest in size, while the other two of its either side are smaller but identical. In the south of the Mosque and adjoining the last arch is a staircase, which leads to the terrace on the second floor, whence a lovely view of the Taj Mahal presents itself.
Taj Mahal Mosque Mosque as viewed from Taj Mahal Guest Chamber: To the east of Taj Mahal lies the magnificent structure which was constructed as the guest chamber or the ‘Mehman Khana’. During the Mughal era the building was used for hosting the dignitaries visiting Taj Mahal. The structure is quite identical in style to the mosque. It was built to maintain the sense of balance and symmetry which actuated the whole design of the Taj Complex.
Guest Chamber Some close up shots of the iconic monument Beautiful designs adorn the walls of Taj Mahal River Yamuna flows behind Taj Mahal View from the main platform View from the Guest Chamber Mystical Beauty of Taj Mahal
Jodha Bai’s Palace: Also known as ‘Shabistan-i-Iqbal’ this is the most beautiful and imposing building in Fatehpur Sikri Fort. It was constructed between 1570-74. Jodha Bai's Palace Traveller’s Inn Birbal's Mansion Stables for Horses, Elephants and Camels The five storied 'Panch Mahal'
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