Agra

Agra is a city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, sitting on the banks of the Yamuna River. It is about 230 kilometres southeast of Delhi and 330 kilometres west of Lucknow. With a population of around 1.6 million, Agra is an important city in India.

The city's most famous time began in the early 1500s under the rule of the Mughals. Agra was the capital of the Mughal Empire and became a place of learning, art, trade, and religion. Many beautiful buildings were built, including the Agra Fort, Sikandra, and the wonderful Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Today, Agra is known for its tourism, with the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort being important places recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. The city also has industries such as making shoes and leather goods. Agra is part of the popular tourist route called the Golden Triangle, which includes visits to Delhi and Jaipur.

Name

There are a few ideas about where the name Agra comes from. The most common idea is that it comes from the Hindi word agar, meaning "salt pan." This is because the soil in the area used to be salty, and people made salt there by letting water evaporate.

Another idea comes from Hindu stories. Some believe the Sanskrit word agra means "front," and they think Agra was the first of many small forests where the hero Krishna played with the women called gopis from Vrindavan.

During the time of the Mughal Empire, Agra was also called Akbarabad. This name was created by the emperor Shah Jahan to honor his grandfather, Akbar.

History

Pre-Mughal era

Agra has two histories. The ancient city on the east bank of the Yamuna river goes back to legends of Krishna and the Mahabharata. It was reestablished by Sikandar Khan Lodi in 1504–1505. The modern city was founded by Akbar in 1558 on the right bank of the river. This city is famous worldwide for the Taj Mahal.

Not much remains of the ancient city except a few traces. It was once important under various Hindu dynasties before Muslim invasions of India, but its early history is unclear. A 17th-century writer said it was a village before Sikandar Lodi’s time. The king of Mathura used the Agra fort as a jail. The city’s decline began when Mahmud of Ghazni destroyed it.

Agra became important again during Sikandar Lodi’s rule. In 1504–1505, he rebuilt the city and made it a center of government. He chose a spot on the left bank of the Yamuna, and the city grew with royal presence, officials, merchants, scholars, and artists. It became a key center for Islamic learning. He also built a village called Sikandra and a beautiful red sandstone structure that later became a tomb.

After Sikandar Lodi died in 1517, his son Ibrahim Lodi ruled from Agra until he was defeated and killed by the Mughal Emperor Babur in the First battle of Panipat in 1526.

Mughal era

The city’s golden age began with the Mughals. Agra was the capital of the Mughal Empire until 1658, when Aurangzeb moved the court to Delhi.

Babur, the first Mughal emperor, captured Agra in 1526 after defeating the rulers of Delhi and Gwalior. He sent his son Humayun, who took the city without fight. The Raja of Gwalior, who had been kindness to Humayun, gave him valuable jewels, including the famous Koh-i-nur diamond. Babur built the first formal Mughal garden in India, called Aram Bagh, on the Yamuna’s banks.

Not much of Babur’s city remains today, but parts of his garden can still be seen at Aram Bagh. Babur’s son Humayun ruled briefly but was defeated in 1539 by Sher Shah Suri, who took control. Later, Akbar defeated Suri and reclaimed the city in 1556.

Under Akbar, Agra became a major political, cultural, and economic center. He built the tall walls of the Agra Fort and made the city a hub for learning, arts, trade, and religion. He also built a new capital called Fatehpur Sikri, about 35 km away, but later abandoned it.

Agra continued to grow during the rule of Jahangir. He loved gardens and planted many inside the Red Fort. He also completed Akbar’s mausoleum at Sikandra and built other important structures like the Jahangiri Mahal in Agra Fort and the tomb of Itmad-ud-daulah.

It was Shah Jahan, however, who brought Agra to its greatest glory. He built the famous Taj Mahal in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, completed in 1653. He also built the Jama Masjid and many other beautiful buildings inside the fort.

Shah Jahan later moved the capital to Shahjahanabad (now Delhi) in 1648. His son Aurangzeb moved the entire court to Delhi in 1658, and Agra’s importance began to decline. Even so, it remained culturally and strategically important.

Later periods

With the decline of the Mughal empire, control of Agra passed to various groups, including the Jats, the Marathas, and finally the British East India Company. In 1761, the Jats under Maharaja Suraj Mal captured Agra after a long siege and took valuable items from the Taj Mahal. The city was later recaptured by the Mughals, then taken by the Marathas, and finally by the British in 1803.

Agra was the capital of the Presidency of Agra from 1834 to 1836 and then of the North-Western Province from 1836 to 1858. It played a part in the Indian rebellion of 1857. Although the uprising in Agra was smaller than in places like Delhi or Jhansi, the British had to work hard to keep control.

After the rebellion, Agra became just another provincial town. However, it slowly regained some commercial importance, especially as a railway center.

Post Independence and Mughal legacy

After India gained independence in 1947, Agra became part of Uttar Pradesh and developed into an industrial city. Today, it is a popular tourist destination, famous for the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Leaders from many countries have visited the Taj Mahal, making it a symbol of India. Agra is also part of the tourist routes known as the Golden Triangle (with Delhi and Jaipur) and the Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arc (with Lucknow and Varanasi).

Geography and climate

Agra is located on flat land with some hills far to the southwest. Important rivers nearby include the Yamuna and Chambal, and the Agra Canal helps water the area. Farmers grow crops like millet, barley, wheat, and cotton. The nearby city of Fatehpur Sikri is about 40 km away. Agra sits about 170 meters above sea level.

Agra has warm winters, very hot and dry summers, and a rainy season called monsoon. The area can get very hot, with temperatures reaching as high as 48.6 °C. The monsoon rains usually start in July and end in September, but they are not as heavy as in other parts of India. Sometimes, thick fog appears in winter, which can cause problems for trains. The city also has a lot of air pollution, making it one of the more polluted cities in India.

Demographics

See also: List of cities in Uttar Pradesh

Agra is a big city with about 1.6 million people. It is the fourth-largest city in the state of Uttar Pradesh and the twenty-third largest city in India.

Most people in Agra follow the religion of Hinduism, with a smaller number following Islam. Other religions represented in the city include Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity, and Buddhism. The main language spoken is Hindi, with some people also speaking Braj Bhasha and Urdu.

Administration and politics

Administration

Police administration

Agra is managed by police leaders who help keep the city safe. There are special officers in charge of different areas and tasks.

Infrastructure and civic administration

The city of Agra has a group of leaders called the Agra Municipal Corporation. They take care of the city's services and buildings. They are chosen to work for five years. They look after different parts of the city and plan new homes and buildings.

Politics

In recent votes, many people in Agra chose leaders from the BJP party. The leader for Agra works with others to make decisions for the area. Agra has special groups that help make rules and plans for the city.

Utilities

Agra gets its electricity from two providers: Torrent Power, a private company, and DVVNL, which is owned by the state of Uttar Pradesh. In 2010, control of electricity distribution was given to Torrent Power to help improve services.

The city gets water from three main places: water treatment plants at Sikandra and Jeoni Mandi, and groundwater from deep wells. Because much of the water comes from the Yamuna river, which is very dirty, the water in Agra often isn’t clean enough to drink. To fix this, a big project called the Gangajal pipeline was started. It brings clean water from the Ganga river through a long pipe, but there have been problems with leaks.

Most people in Agra use gas cylinders for cooking, but some areas also have piped natural gas, provided by Green Gas Limited.

Economy

Agra has a busy economy because of famous places like the Taj Mahal. Many people visit these sites, which helps the city. The city is also known for special crafts like Pietra Dura, where beautiful designs are made using tiny pieces of stone.

Many people in Agra work in farming, and others make shoes, leather goods, and work in factories that shape iron. In 2018–19, Agra’s economy was worth about 40.21 billion rupees, making it the third-largest city economy in its state.

Tourism is very important to Agra. In 2019, over 9.5 million visitors came to see the city and its famous buildings. There are many hotels, including a very large spa and several well-known places to stay.

The city has many small businesses and shops, especially in areas like Sanjay Place and Sadar bazar. These places sell things like electrical goods, leather items, and handmade crafts.

In 2020, the city’s economy faced challenges because of rules to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This especially affected tourism, factories, and shoe making. It is thought that the tourism industry lost about ₹22 billion because of these rules.

Monuments and architecture

Taj Mahal

Main article: Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is a beautiful building in Agra, made by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. She passed away in 1631 while having their child. The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in India and was chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the world. It shows a mix of Indian, Persian, and Islamic styles.

The Taj Mahal took 22 years to build, with many workers from different places. It has a large marble dome and four smaller towers. Inside, there are pretty decorations made with colorful stones. Sadly, pollution from nearby factories and cars has hurt the Taj Mahal, so people are working to protect it.

Agra Fort

Agra Fort is a big red sandstone fort near the Yamuna River. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565 and served as a royal home and military base. The fort has high walls, two main gates, and many beautiful rooms and halls. One famous room is the Diwan-i-Am, where the emperor would meet people. The fort also has a tower called Musamman Burj, where Shah Jahan’s favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, used to live.

I'timād-ud-Daulah's tomb

Main article: Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah

I'timād-ud-Daulah's tomb, sometimes called the "Baby Taj," was built by Nur Jahan for her father. It is smaller than the Taj Mahal but very beautiful, with white marble walls and colorful stone designs. The tomb is set in a garden with water paths.

Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra

Main article: Tomb of Akbar the Great

Sikandra is where the Mughal Emperor Akbar is buried. His tomb is a big building made of marble and sandstone, surrounded by a garden. It was started during Akbar’s life and finished by his son Jahangir in 1613. The tomb has four walls with big gates and many names of Allah written on it.

Other places of Interest

Agra has many other interesting places from its Mughal history. These include Battis Khamba, Jama Masjid, Chini Ka Rauza, Aram Bagh, and Mehtab Bagh. Each of these places has its own special style and history. The Jama Masjid is a large mosque built by Shah Jahan’s daughter. Chini Ka Rauza has a blue-tiled dome. Aram Bagh is one of the oldest Mughal gardens in India, built by Emperor Babur. Mehtab Bagh is a garden across the river from the Taj Mahal.

Culture

Cuisine

Agra is part of the Braj region and speaks the Braj Bhakha language. The city is famous for its Braj cuisine, sharing foods with nearby Mathura and Vrindavan. A special sweet called Petha, made from ash gourd, is very popular. Another local dish is dalmoth, a spicy snack made from fried dal, nuts, and raisins. Breakfast often includes Bedai, a puffy kachori filled with spicy ingredients, served with aloo bhaaji and curd. Other popular snacks are chaat, which includes items like dahi bhalla, raj kachori, samosas, and gol gappa. Paratha, a flat wheat bread stuffed with potatoes or other fillings, is also a favorite.

Agra's food mixes rich Mughal tastes with local flavors. Street foods like Bhalla from Sadar Bazaar, Bedai with Jalebi for breakfast, and Tandoori Chai served in clay cups are enjoyed by locals.

Taj Mahotsav

The Taj Mahotsav is a fun cultural festival and craft fair that began in 1992. It is held every year from February 18 to 27 in a large field near the Taj Mahal’s eastern gate. This festival helps support local artists and offers crafts and art at fair prices. Many visitors from India and other countries enjoy the celebration. However, the 2021 Taj Mahotsav was cancelled due to restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Transport

Air

As of April 2021, Indigo has regular flights between Agra Airport and Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, and Bangalore. Agra Airport at Kheria is managed by the Indian Air Force.

For more travel options, people in Agra often use big airports in the National Capital Region:

• Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi): About 200 kilometres away, this is the main airport for international trips from Agra, using the Yamuna Expressway.
• Noida International Airport (Jewar): Opened on 28 March 2026, this airport is closer to Agra, about 140 kilometres away. It will soon offer many flights starting in April 2026.

Rail

Main article: Railways in Agra

Agra has 7 railway stations, including Agra Cantonment, Raja-Ki-Mandi, and Agra Fort. The city is part of the North Central Railways Zone. Many trains stop here, including fast ones like the Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and the Gatiman express, which can reach Delhi in just 100 minutes. The Maharajas' Express is a special luxury train that also serves Agra.

Road

Agra has several big bus stations, like Idgah Bus Stand, Taj Depot, and Fort Depot, connecting it to many cities in northern India. Agra is also a key point for several major roads and expressways (Yamuna Expressway and Agra Lucknow Expressway).

• From Delhi: NH 19 is a modern highway for the 200 km trip.
• From Delhi / Noida: The Yamuna Expressway is another modern highway for the same distance.
• The Yamuna Expressway links New Delhi to Agra through Greater Noida and Mathura.
• NH 509 goes from Agra to Moradabad via Aligarh.
• Part of NH 44 connects Agra to Gwalior through Dholpur.
• NH 21 links Agra to Jaipur and Bareilly.
• The Agra Lucknow Expressway is a long highway connecting Lucknow to Agra through Kannauj and Etawah.

Buses in Agra are run by UPSRTC, and people also use rickshaws. Vehicles that pollute the air are not allowed near the Taj Mahal. In the city, Mahatma Gandhi Marg is a main road.

Agra Metro

Plans for the Agra Metro include 30 stations along two lines. The first part of the metro opened on 6 March 2024, running 6 km from Taj East Gate to Jama Masjid with 6 stations. Work continues on more parts of the system, which should be finished by 2026.

Yellow Line (Line 1)

• Total length: 14.25 km
• 14 stations
• Currently 6 km open, more being built
• Expected to finish in 2026

Blue Line (Line 2)

• Total length: 15.40 km
• 15 stations
• Still under construction
• Expected to finish in December 2025

Recently, more tunnels for the metro have been completed, and building is moving forward on stations and tracks. The project will cost about ₹8,379.62 crore and is partly funded by a loan from the European Investment Bank. All stations on the first part of the metro have earned a top environmental rating.

Education

Agra has many important schools and universities. Agra University was started on 1 July 1927 and later renamed Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar University. It has many colleges and departments.

Some well-known schools and institutions in Agra include The Institute of Mental Health and Hospital, Central Institute of Hindi, Sarojini Naidu Medical College, Agra College, St. John's College, St. George's College, and St. Peter's College.

Universities and colleges

Media

Agra has many newspapers, including the popular Hindi paper Dainik Jagran. Other well-read papers are Amar Ujala, Rajasthan Patrika, Aaj, Hindustan, The Sea Express, daily Amar Bharti, Deepsheel Bharat, and DLA. English newspapers such as The Times of India, Hindustan Times, Economic Times, and The Pioneer are also available. There are Urdy papers like Prabhanjan Sanket and Inksaaf, plus a mixed Hindi and English tabloid called I-Next.

The state-owned All India Radio has a station in Agra. There are also four private FM radio stations: 92.7 BIG FM (Reliance Broadcast Network Limited), 93.7 Fever FM, 94.5 Tadka FM, and Radio City 91.9 FM. Additionally, there is a community radio station at 90.4 FM.

Notable people

See also: Akbarabadi

Here are some well-known people who are from Agra:

• Aakash Chopra
• Abdul Karim (the Munshi)
• Acharya Prashant
• Alok Sharma
• Alvin Robert Cornelius
• Amritlal Nagar
• Anand Swarup
• Ashi Singh
• Dalip Tahil
• Deepak Chahar
• Deepti Sharma
• Dhruv Jurel
• Girraj Singh Dharmesh
• Hemlata Kala
• Jagan Prasad Garg
• Kalyan Das Jain
• Makund Behari Lal
• Mamnoon Hussain
• Mirza Ghalib
• Mir Taqi Mir
• Motilal Nehru
• Nazeer Akbarabadi
• Nimmi
• Poonam Yadav
• Raj Babbar
• Rajendra Yadav
• Rahul Chahar
• Ravi Tandon
• R. K. S. Bhadauria
• S. P. Singh Baghel
• Salig Ram
• Seth Achal Singh
• Shiv Dayal Singh

Movies filmed in Agra

Some popular movies were filmed in Agra, including Tevar, Dream Girl 2, Luka Chuppi, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Bunty aur Babli, Atrangi Re, Tere Naam, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, and 12th Fail.

Sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in India

Agra has friendly partnerships with:

• Chengdu, Sichuan, China
• Petra, Jordan
• Tempe, Arizona
• Samarkand