Jama Masjid in Agra is also known as Jami Masjid. It was built by Shah Jahan in 1648 and he dedicated it to his favorite daughter Jahanara Begum. There used to be spacious, octagonal Tripolia Chowk between Jama Masjid and the Delhi gate of the Agra Fort which was destroyed later to build Agra Fort Railway Station.
Structure of Jama Masjid, Agra
Jama Masjid is a huge mosque located in the center of Agra and surrounded by a great market. Jama Masjid is not adorned with semi-precious stones unlike other big historical monuments rather it can be said that it is not considered as historical monument because it is still used by the local people to offer prayer. It is a very simple mosque made up of red sandstone. A little amount of white marble has been used for decoration purpose, walls and ceilings have been painted blue. Jami Masjid is beautifully decorated with paintings, inlaid stones, carvings and glazed tiles. There are stairs to approach the mosque and five arched entrances to the courtyard. Jama Masjid has three large sandstone domes which can be distinguished by the zigzag bands of marble. There is a prayer chamber on its western side. There is a prayer chamber on its western side and a courtyard surrounded by cloisters on three of its sides. The bulbous domes are adorned in finials of lotus and kalash on the top and alternate bands of white marble and red sandstone make them appealing. A fountain makes it royal, existing in the center of the courtyard. This fountain looks very beautiful with four kiosks in its corners. The mosque is still being used by the people to offer prayer and that’s why it is one of the city's main landmarks. Jama Masjid in Agra comprises of pillared Dalan, the 'Chhatri' on the roof and a beautiful 'Chhajja'. The main attraction of the building is its geometrical designs and its simplicity.
Fatehpur Sikri is 39 km. far from Agra Cantt Railway Station. It is one of the most important historical monuments of Mughal Dynasty made by Mughal Emperor Akbar. This world heritage was built during 1564 AD. Akbar built this as gratitude towards Muslim Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti.
Sonless Akbar went Sikri for blessings of Muslim Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti and then Akbar got a son. On the name if the saint he named his Salim. He as gratitude built this monument and also made it his capital. He named it Fatehpur Sikri.
Akbar built a beautiful marble tomb of saint and thousands of people come to seek blessings of the revered saint. People tie threads there to get their wish fulfilled. Akbar also built palaces for saint’s complete family. Since Akbar made Fatehpur Sikri his capital therefore, there are some other renowned places in his palace including Diwan-e-Khas, Diwan-e-Aam, Bulad Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Jodhabai’s Palace and Birbal’s House.
The most important characteristic of Fatehpur Sikri is Buland Darwaza. The gateway is approached by 42 steps. The Buland Darwaza is 53.63m high and 35 meters wide. Buland Darwaza is the highest gateway in the world and an astounding example of the Mughal architecture. It is built of red sandstone and inlaying of white marble.