Agra is on the western bank of the Yamuna River, and is of course best known for being the home of the Taj Mahal. However besides this incredibly famous monument, Agra is also home to some of the other finest monuments of the Mughal period - Agra Fort, Diwan-I-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Musamman Burj, Jehangir’s Palace, Shish Mahal, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Itmad-ud-daulah, Akbar’s Mausoleum, and the Mariyam’s Tomb, to name a few. The Mughal love for nature can also be seen at Agra in the form of Ram Bagh, one of the earliest gardens, laid out in 1528.
Though the heritage of Agra city is linked with the Mughal dynasty, various other rulers also contributed to the rich past of this city. Modern Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodhi in the 16th century. Babar (founder of the Mughal dynasty) also stayed for sometime in Agra and introduced the concept of square Persian-styled gardens here. Emperor Akbar built the Agra fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Jahangir beautified Agra with palaces and gardens despite spending most of his time in Kashmir. However Agra came to its own when Shahjahan ascended to the throne of Mughal Empire. He marked the zenith of Mughal architecture, when he built the Taj in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. In his later years, Shah Jahan shifted his capital to the new city of Shah Jahanabad in Delhi and ruled from there. Shah Jahan was dethroned in 1658 by his son, Aurangzeb who imprisoned him in the Agra Fort. Aurangzeb shifted the capital back to Agra till his death. After the death of Aurangzeb, Mughal Empire could not touch its peak and many regional kingdoms emerged. The post-Mughal era of Agra saw the rule of the Jats, Marathas and finally the British taking over the city.
