The state of Uttar Pradesh is divided into 70 odd districts out of which Agra district in one of them. The district headquarters are situated at the city of Agra. Situated on the River Yamuna, it is 360 kilometers west of Lucknow and 200 kilometers south of New Delhi. It is both populated and polluted ranking 19th and 20th respectively in the list of cities for population and pollution.

The erstwhile Agrevana finds its importance in the Mahabharata. Agrevana means the border of the forest. The city is said to have been founded by a Sikarwar Rajput King named Raja Badal Singh. His fort was called Badalgarh. As described by the poet Masd Sa'd Salmn, it was desperately attacked by Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni. The fortress was then ruled by Shh King Jayapala. In the year 1506, Sultan Sikandar Lodi moved his capital from Delhi to Agra. After his death in 1517, his son Ibrahim Lodi took over and ruled for nine years until his defeat in the Battle of Panipat 1526. Agra achieved its glory with the advent of the Mughals. It still remains a famous tourist destination because of the many stone monuments built by the Mughals like the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpr Sikr, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Agra History

In the year 1835, British set up the Presidency of Agra and the city thus held political importance. A famine broke out in 1837-38. The whole nation was threatened by a rebellion against the British in the year 1857. The news of the rebellion reached Agra on May 11 and two regiments the 44th and the 77th marched to Delhi on May 30. But they were asked to drop their weapons the very next morning. Gwalior under the same light rebelled on June 15. The British withdrew into the fort by July 3, under force. Two days, a small British force at Sucheta were defeated and withdrawn which lead to the sacking of the city by a small mob. However, the British were able to retain order by July 8 as the rebel moved to Delhi. The British took over Delhi in September. A month later some rebels moved to Agra but defeated. Hence, British were once again able to restore their position in the country until the Independence of India. Mughal Emperor Akbar started a new religion called Din-i-Ilahi in Agra. Also, the Radhaswami Faith started from this city which has about two million followers. The city of Agra also holds importance for Jainism and Hinduism.

Agra Climate

Agra has a continental sub-tropical kind of climate. The summers are long and hot. The temperature can go up to 45 degrees. During summers, dry winds called Loo blow in this region which is very harmful. Rainfall occurs mainly in the months of July to September.

Agra Tourism

Tourist places in Agra
Taj Mahal
Red Fort
Fatehpur Sikri
Sikandra
Itmad ud Daula
Soor Sarovar
Lesser Known Monuments
Dayal Bagh
Mathura
Vrindavan
Bharatpur Bird Sanctury
Chambal Safari
Religious Places
Guru ka Taal