Les meilleurs hôtels à Agra

The Muslims (Mughals) came to north India in the early sixteenth century and left an indelible mark on the country. Agra was their capital - the capital of India - and this royal city has preserved several spectacular examples of the Islamic-Hindu architectural masterpieces constructed under three powerful rulers. Most famous is the Taj Mahal, "the most extravagant monument ever built for the sake of love." The Taj is to India what the pyramids are to Egypt, immediately recognized throughout the world and considered one of its wonders. Begun in 1630 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his queen who died giving birth to their fourteenth child, the white-marble monument took 22 years to complete. The Taj reflects the colors of the heavens at dawn, sunset, and moonrise, and is reputed to be at its most breathtaking on full-moon nights. Another architectural masterpiece, the Agra Fort, predates the Taj. Originally a fortification, over the years the red-sandstone fort was converted into an imperial residence, and within its walls are palaces, mosques, baths, gardens and graceful pavilions. Among the most notable structures are the famous Pearl Mosque and the Palace of Mirrors. Only 40 kilometers west of Agra is the perfectly preserved city of Fatelpur Sikri. For a brief period early in the dynasty, the city served as the capital of the Mughal empire, but was abruptly abandoned, probably due to water scarcity. Also made of red sandstone, the buildings of this "phantom city" reflect a synthesis of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Several other monuments - tombs, mosques, gardens - in Agra and the surrounding area reflect the lavish artistry of long-ago craftsmen and the vision of imperial rulers that took shape in the soaring pillars and delicate tracery of their architectural and botanical legacies.