Jama Masjid
Across the railway tracks from the Delhi Gate of Agra Fort, the Jama Masjid was built by Shah Jahan in 1648. An inscription over the main gate indicates that it was bulit in the name of Jahanara, Shah Jahan's daughter, who was imprisoned with Shah Jahan by Aurangzeb.

Itimad-ud-Daulah
There are several interesting sights on the opposite bank of the Yamuna and north of the fort. The first place of interest is the exquisite Itimad-ul-daulah-the tomb of Mirza Ghiyas Beg. This Persian gentleman was Jahangir's Wazir, or Chief Minister, and his beautiful daughter later married the emperor. She then became known as Nur Jahan, the Light of the World, and her niece was Mumtaj Mahal, Chosen of the Palace. The tomb was constructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan.

The tomb is of particular interest since many of its design elements foreshadow the Taj, construction of which started only a few years later. The Itimad-ud-Daulah was the first Mughal structure totally built from marble and the first to make extensive use of pietra dura, the inlay work of marble, which is so characteristic of the Taj. The mausoleum is small and squat compared to the soaring Taj, but the smaller, more human scale somehow makes it attractive, and the beautifully patterned surface of the Tomb is superb. Extremely fine marble latticework passages admit light to the interior. It's well worth a visit.

Chini Ka Rauza
The Chini Tomb is 1 km north of the Itimad-ul-daulah. The squat, square tomb. Surmounted by a single huge dome, was constructed by Afzal Khan, who died at Lahore in 1639. He was a high official in the court of Shah Jahan. The exterior was covered in brightly coloured enameled tiles and the whole building clearly displayed its Persian Influence. Today it is much decayed and neglected, and the remaining tile work only hints at the building's former glory.

Ram Bagh
Laid out in 1528 by Babur, first of the Mughal emperors, this is the earliest Mughal garden. It is said that Babur was temporarily buried here before being permanently interred at Kabul in Afghanistan. The Ram Bagh is 2 km north of the Chini Ka Rauza on the riverside and is open from sunrise to sunset.

Dayal Bagh Temple
In Dayal Bagh, the white marble samadhi (or temple) of the Radah Soami religion is currently under construction. It was started in 1904. You can also see pietra dura inlaid marble work actually being worked on.

Akbar's Mausoleum
At Sikandra, 10 km north-west of Agra, the tomb of Akbar lies in the centre of a large peaceful garden. Akbar started its construction himself but it was completed by his son, Jahangir. The building has three-storey minarets at each corner and is built of red sandstone somewhat cluttered architectural lines of the tomb inlaid with white marble polygonal patterns. Four red sandstone gates lead to the tomb complex; one is Muslim, one Hindu, one Christian, and one is Akbar's patent mixture. Like Humayun's Tomb in Delhi, it is an interesting place to study the gradual evolution in design that culminated in the Taj Mahal. Akbar's mausoleum is open from sunrise to sunset.


Fatehpur Sikri
Built by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar this red sandstone city Fatehpur Sikri is located 37 kms from Agra. Fatehpur Sikri was built during 1571 and 1585. Fatehpur Sikri exhibits one of the finest examples of Mughal architectural splendor. The rich amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim architecture has be seen retained many of the old structures. Fatehpur Sikri Mosque is said to be a copy of the mosque in Mecca. Its designs are derived from the Persian & Hindu architecture.