The Historic Town of Agra
We spent a day in Agra, which is a lot in terms of travel to and from the city, but enough time to see the city's three main sites (there isn't much else there worth seeing). All three are World Heritage sites, close together, and well worth the trip. In fact, the Indian press was giving George Bush a very hard time while we were there for skipping the Taj Mahal despite Laura Bush's request to go see one of the world's most romantic spots.
Agra Fort
Located near, built before, and possessing a stunning view of the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort remains a symbol of the peak of the powerful Moghul dynasty: rulers Akbar (1542-1605), his son Jahangir (1605-1627), and Shah Jahan (1628-1658) built the fort over a long period of time. The fort is still largely in use today by the Indian military, with only a small part of it open to the public.
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Fatehpur Sikri
Beginning in 1571, Akbar built the large walled city of Fatehpur Sikri (City of Victory) on top of a ridge just outside Agra to commemorate a military victory in the nearby Gujarat province. The city includes a variety of courtyards, palaces, and temples and is most striking for its blend of Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and other architectural styles (he had three wives, one from each religion). While this blend of styles seemed somewhat common in India (and mirrors in some ways the melting pot of Indian society), it was most prevalent in the detailed carvings in the walls and pillars of Fatehpur Sikri.
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