Agra, India is famous globally due to the iconic Taj Mahal, the seventh wonder of the world. Agra was ruled by the Islamic Mughal rulers who transformed the Indian landscape with innumerable prominent buildings such as: Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, and the most famous of all, the Taj Mahal.

Fact 1. The Taj Mahal, a pure, white, marble structure, considered to be the epitome of love, is one of India’s most graceful and extravagant monuments. The Emperor Shah Jehan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his beloved queen, Mumtaz Mahal, who had died during childbirth.

Fact 2.   Agra, situated along the banks of the Yamuna River, became the capital of India when the capital was relocated from Delhi.  Mughal rulers transformed it into a center of art, culture, business, and education.

Fact 3.    Agra’s history goes back to the 11^th century when it was referred to by Ptolemy as ‘œAgra.’ In Indian classics, Agra is mentioned as Agra ban or forest area.

Fact 4.  Agra’s position as the capital was changed when Shahjahanabad became the new capital. Emperor Shah Jahan created the new city which today exists as Old Delhi. The relocation to a new capital saw the decline of Agra.

Fact 5.  The decline of the grandeur of Agra was aligned to the decline of the Mughal rule. By 1570, Agra had fallen into the hands of the Marathas before being taken over by the British in the early 1800s.

Fact 6.  Subsequent to the decline of the political power of the Mughals and that of Agra, the British did not give due prominence to Agra.

Fact 7.  The British regarded Agra as a presidency in North India with the setting up of missionaries and churches. St. Patrick’s Church, St. George’s church, and the Havelock Memorial Church were built to honor the lives lost during the 1857 Mutiny.

Fact 8.  Agra became a part of the state of Uttar Pradesh since India’s independence and has gradually developed into an industrial town. One of the reasons for the pollution and decay of the Taj Mahal is due to the impact of industrialization.

 Fact 9. Agra has also been transformed into a popular destination for travelers around the world.  Agra has been declared as a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site due to its history and architecture.

Fact 10.  The Mughal traits still exists in Agra today from its buildings to its cuisine and culture.