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On Monday March 30th we awoke early in order to be at the Taj Mahal at 6:30 a.m. so we could see it in the early morning light before the weather became hot or the day trippers arrived from Delhi.
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In the haze of the early morning the white marble tomb was more fantastic than I had imagined it.
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A close up of the tomb itself.
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The Taj is famous for stone inlay and carvings. I think what impressed me the most was the detail of the structure. I expected the big-picture view to be stunning, but to see the extent of the intricate stonework was a surprise.
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The interior of the tomb, where Mumtaz Mahal and her husband Shah Jahan are buried.
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The exterior of the tomb.
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Red sandstone structures flank either side of the Taj, as seen in the background of this photo. On one side is a mosque, still used for worship, and on the other is a twin structure, possibly used as a guesthouse.
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As the sun rose, the marble took on a more stark appearance, contrasting with the bright blue sky.
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A family portrait.
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The Taj is set into a large Mughal garden, which was possibly a revenue-creating source of produce when the Taj was first built. In Agra I purchased the facinating Giles Tillotson book "Taj Mahal" which contextualizes the history of the Taj and the appropriation of it's image throughout history. The book was light yet scholarly, and provided a great read for the long hours we spent on the train.
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We took a huge amount of photos of the Taj, only a few of which I am posting here.
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At about 9 a.m. we headed back to our hotel to have some breakfast and to relax for the rest of the morning. Joe was still feeling ill, so we wanted to take it easy. Also, props to Joe's Dad for the best nickname for an illness- Indiana Joe and the Belly of Doom.
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In the late afternoon, after the heat of the day, we headed over to Agra Fort, one of the best preserved Mughal forts in India. Construction on the fort began in 1565 under Emperor Akbar (see Agra day one for Akbar's Tomb), and parts of the structure are still used for military operations.
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Walking up the entrance ramp.
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Images of Agra Fort....
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Above is the Harem Quarters.
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Shah Jahan, the emperor who built the Taj, was imprisioned in the fort for the last eight years of his life when his son took power. Above is the view he had of the Taj.
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Joe sits on the huge slab of rock that was the throne of prince Salim.
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The red sandstone of Jehangir's palace, within the fort.
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More of the sandstone palace.
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There were monkeys and parrots all over the fort!
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Joe as we exit the fort back into the chaotic Agra streets.
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The moat of Agra Fort, once filled with crocodiles....
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On the streets of Agra....
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We stopped for lassis at a rooftop cafe near the Taj Mahal to get one last view....
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