Thursday, January 29, 2009

Itmad-Ud-Daulah

An Outclass example of Art in Mughal Period

Front View of Itmad-Ud-Daulah



Beautiful Cupola on Minerates of Itmad-Ud-Daulah



Inlay Depicting Cypress Trees, Wine Bottles, Cut Fruit or Vases Containing Bouquets




Marvellous Design and Architecture of Minerates




Oblique View Showing beautiful Carving on Walls

Itmad-Ud-Daulah, often described as ‘Jewel Box’ was built by Jhahangir’s wife Noor Jahan for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg, who had been given the title of Itimâd-ud-Daulâh (pillar of the state) between 1622 and 1628. Itmad-Ud-Daulah is also known as ‘Baby Taj’ because of representing the transition between the first and second phase of monumental Mughal architecture. First phase consists of buildings primarily built from red sandstone with marble decorations, which can be seen in Humayun's Tomb in Delhi and Akbar's Tomb in Sikandra in Agra. Its second phase is based on white marble and pietra dura inlay as in Taj Mahal.

Itmad-Ud-Daulah is situated on the left bank of river Yamuna. Mausoleum is set on a base about 1 meter high and 50 meters in area surrounded by large cruciform garden criss-crossed by water courses and walkways. The walls are made up of white marble brought from Rajasthan adorned with semi-precious stones like cornelian, jasper, lapis lazuli, onyx, and topaz. Beautiful images are made with these stones on walls like Cypress trees, wine bottles, cut fruit or vases containing bouquets. Light enters through delicate jail into the interior of the Itmad-Ud-Daulah mausoleum. Not only Noor Jahan’s father, many of her relatives are interred in the Itmad-Ud-Daulah mausoleum.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Interaction with People of Agra and Their Life

Agra has its own tradition and culture. Languages spoken in Agra as well as complete Uttar Pradesh are Hindi and Urdu. Some people associated with the field of tourism are able to speak English up to some level. Some professional guides speak other foreign languages also. In hotels visitors can find staff communicating guests in English. People are simple in Agra and most of them are associated with business and farming. Agra being a tourist place having a lot of people involved in tourism. Number of hotels can be found in near Taj Mahal. If visitors want to communicate with people of Agra in their own language they would have to learn some phrases which are most frequently used like-

Hello
namaste

How are you doing?
Aap kaise hain

I am doing well
Main theek Hoon

I do not understand
Main nahi samajhata hoon.

Where can I find?
Kahan Milega…

How to reach?
Kaise Pahuchoon

Thank You
Dhanyawaad/Shukriya

Excuse Me
Kshama Karen

Please write it down
Zara likh deejiye

Can you help me?
Kya aap meri madad kar sakte hain?


Turn Right
Dahine Mudo

Turn Left
Bayen Mudo

What Place is this?
Yeh kounsi jagah hai?

What is this?
Yeh kya hai?

How do you find it?
Kaisa Laga?

How much is it for?
Kitne ka hai?

Offices to Be Known By Visitors in Agra

Visitors arriving Agra need to known about some offices which can help them in need. They can avail the help which they seek in Agra from government authorities. List of some offices is given below-

Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office

Address: Fatehpur Sikri Road, Agra
Tel: +91 0562 226 9563
Timings: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 16:00

India Tourism Office

Address: 191 The Mall, Agra
Tel: +91 0562 222 6378
Timings: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:30, Saturday - 09:00 to 14:00
A range of brochures about attractions all over India are available here. This is a good place to get knowledge about the city as well as country. An official guide can also be found from here.


UP Tourism Office

Address: Agra Cantonment Train Station, Agra
Tel: +91 0562 242 1204
Timings: 7 days and 24 hours
This office is good place for contacting the local tourist police. You can find help easily here if, you are in problem.
One more branch of the UP Tourism Office is located at 64 Taj Road
Timings: Monday to Saturday - 10:00am to 5:00pm


Main Post Office

Address: The Mall, Agra
Tel: +91 0562 222 6437
The 'post restate' service at the post office is not recommended.
Timings: Monday to Saturday - 10:00am to 6:00pm

Monday, January 26, 2009

Video of Taj Mahal

Here is a Video of Taj Mahal with its story and things related with Agra and Taj Mahal.
Here We Go......