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Agra History during the Mughal Period

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Agra History during the Mughal Period
This was the start of a long domination of Mughal stronghold not just in Agra but across many parts of
the Indian subcontinent. With Babur on the throne, the influence of Islam started steadily in Agra. The
ruler built the Aram Bagh or the Garden of Relaxation, where he was believed to have spent time
relaxing while being away from royal duties. In 1530, Babur died and was succeeded by his son,
Humayun. The rule was interrupted only for a brief time between 1540-45 when Sher Shah Suri, an
Afghan ruler born in Sasaram, Bihar defeated Humayun and took over the city. He proved to be an
extremely capable ruler but his glory was short lived. He died of a gunpowder explosion while fighting
the Rajputs in Bundelkhand. Humayun was back on the throne and Agra back to the Mughals. But it was
from the time of Akbar, son and successor to Humayun who took to the throne in 1558 when Agra came
to its own. It was during the reign of Akbar when Mughal Architecture took prominence. Akbar
consolidated his power and one of the first signs was when he reconstructed the fort of Agra from a
mud-walled structure left behind by the Lodi's into a huge Fort made of Red sand stone. Many other
halls were added to this magnificent Fort later on by his predecessors, son Jahangir and grandson Shah
Jahan. Akbar ruled for more than four decades in which he built a new city, Fatehpur Sikri, just a few
kilometres from Agra. During Akbar's reign, Agra was modernized and transformed into a splendid city.
Many soon referred it as Akbarabad. Agra came under Muslim influences and adopted much of the
Muslim culture. But Akbar's idea of religion was liberal and this he portrayed through Din-i-Ilahi, a
religious doctrine introduced in the court to merge the best elements of every faith not just of Islam and
Hinduism, but also Christianity and Zoroastrian. An example of his liberalism is the Padres Santos Chapel
which stands even today. It was constructed by the Portuguese, built on a land granted by Akbar himself
to the missionaries which was built with the motive of dedicating it to the priests martyred in 1633. The
Mughals were not only great at war but also had great love for literature, art and music. At the court of
Akbar were greats like Abul Fazl, Faizi, and Tansen to name a few. Akbar finally died in the year 1605 and
buried in Sikandra, just on the outskirts of Agra city. His tomb is inside a beautifully built structure of
Fine Mughal Architecture. During the reign of Jahangir, son and successor to Akbar, the English started
to arrive at Agra as traders to be granted permission from the emperor for allowance to trade. As the
accounts of the English Travelers suggests, there were no such law in the court of Jahangir. Agra was
ruled by the King himself. Whatever he said was to be followed without any question. Thomas Roe was
the first ambassador from the King of England to the great Mughal Ruler; Roe was not just a courtier,
but a true diplomat and realist. This was the first big step of the English to turn from traders to rulers
during the later stages. In 1620 however, an independent English Traveler named Thomas Coryate
arrived at Agra. He preached Christianity fro minaret of a mosque. No one bothered to harm him
because they thought he was insane. Jahangir was married to Nur-Jahan, often known as the lady with
the 'iron fist' since she is believed to have played a significant role in the emperor's life who had a strong
addiction to alcohol. Mughal architecture continued to flourish during the time of Jahangir. The tomb of
Itmad-ud-daulah is another fine piece of Architecture with great work in white marble. Right at the
centre of this mughal structure, are the tombs of Nur-Jahan's parents. Emperor Jahangir eventually
succumbed to drinking when he died while on his journey back from Kashmir in 1627. His tomb is now in

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Lahore, Pakistan. It was after his father's death that his son, Shah Jahan took over the throne. During
Shah Jahan's reign, Chini-ka-Rauza, a monument of unique architecture with glazed tiles was
constructed as a memorial dedicated to his Prime Minister; Allama Afzel Khal Mullah Shukrullah. This
man was also believed to be a great poet and scholar and revered highly at the emperor's court. But it is
the Taj Mahal, the most magnificent of Mughal structure that Shah Jahan is most known for. The
construction started in the year 1631 and took 17 long years before it was completed in the year 1648.
There were more than 20000 workers involved to create and complete such a beautiful monument in
memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who's original name was Arjumand Banu Begum. The
monument is of fine White Marble with impressive inscriptions on the marble walls in Persian and
Arabic. Inside the Taj, are the tombs of the emperor and his wife. Many Historians believe that Shah
Jahan had planned to construct a second Taj Mahal of Black Marble just across the river of the Taj that
stands today. However, the cost that was incurred to erect the Taj Mahal led to great Famine of the city
after the completion of the monument. But its steady decline had started when the emperor decided to
shift the capital to Shahjahanabad, which is modern day Old Delhi or Purani Dilli as it is known locally in
India. He was succeeded by his son Aurangzeb, who shifted his capital south west to Aurangabad,
leading to further decline of Agra.
Agra: Under the British Ruled Period.
Decline of Agra was simultaneous with that of the Mughals over all. By this time the Marathas and
British had gained considerable power. From the time Aurangabad became capital, Agra fell into the
hands of the Marathas in 1570 before succumbing to the British power in the early 1800's. The later
Mughals who followed after Aurangzeb were not strong or capable enough to regain Agra. They were
restricted mainly to Delhi and tried to tie up with regional powers wherever necessary in order to oust
the British from their perch. When the British took over Agra, they situated the city as a presidency in
North India. With Calcutta as the capital during the British Raj, Agra lost its significance which it once
had during the time of powerful Mughal rulers. However, a few Churches and missionaries did come up
when the English finally strengthened their hold. St. Patrick's Church is a famous one in the city. St.
Georges Church and Havelock Memorial Church were built in the Cantonment area. The latter was built
in honour to those who lost their lives in the Mutiny of 1857.
Agra Post Independence
Since India's independence, Agra has been a part of the state of Uttar Pradesh in Northern India and
gradually developed as an Industrial Town. However, the city of Agra today has transformed into a
popular Tourist Destination for Travelers around the world for its famous monuments, some of which

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Agra History during the Mughal Period This was the start of a long domination of Mughal stronghold not just in Agra but across many parts of the Indian subcontinent. With Babur on the throne, the influence of Islam started steadily in Agra. The ruler built the Aram Bagh or the Garden of Relaxation, where he was believed to have spent time relaxing while being away from royal duties. In 1530, Babur died and was succeeded by his son, Humayun. The rule was interrupted only for a brief time between 1540-45 when Sher Shah Suri, an Afghan ruler born in Sasaram, Bihar defeated Humayun and took over the city. He proved to be an extremely capable ruler but his glory was short lived. He died of a gunpowder explosion while fighting the Rajputs in Bundelkhand. Humayun was back on the throne and Agra back to the Mughals. But it was from the time of Akbar, son and successor to Humayun who took to ...
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