This is an Encyclopedic work on Agra & its sixty monuments including the Taj Mahal.Chapters: (1). AGRA in Historical Limelight Ancient Relics and Traditions Agra in the 11th Century AD Agra under the Delhi Sultans 1206 -1526 Agra and the Grand Mughals(2). The Great Mughals and their Architecture Babur's contribution to Architecture Akbar and his National Style Jahangir's Age of Colour and Design Shah Jahan's Golder Age(3). AGRA FORT and its Monuments Delhi Gate / Amar Singh Gate / Akbari Mahal / Jahangiri Mahal / Shah Jahani Mahal / Khas Mahal / Shish Mahal / Muthamman Burj / Mina Masjid / Machchhi Bhawan / Diwan i Khass / Nagina Masjid / Diwan i Am / Moti Masjid / Water system of Agra Fort / Hammam i Shahi.(4). Tomb of Akbar and other Monuments at Sikandra Agra Akbar's Tomb, Garden and the Gateways, Main Tomb, Unique design and a proposed dome. Kanch Mahal / Tomb of Mariam Zamani / Itibar Khan's Tomb / Tomb of Salabat Khan / Tomb of Sadiq Khan(5). Tomb of Itimad ud daulah and other Monuments of Trans Yamuna Agra Itimad ud Daulah's Tomb / Garden Setting / The Main Tomb / The Ornamentation / Chini ka Rauza / Humayun's Mosque Kachhpura(6). Taj Mahal and its subsidiary Buildings Taj Mahal / Origin of the idea of taj mahal / site and Land of Taj / Builders, Material and Cost / Layout and the Garden / Architecture of main mausoleum / Structure, Stress. and damage / Taj Controversies / Estimate of the Taj Mahal Subsidiary Buildings of the Taj Mahal Corner Towers of the Chameli Farsh / Tibara Dalans / Mosque and the Mehman Khanah / Jal Mahals / Main South Gateway / Jilo Khanah Chowk / Tomb of Akbarabadi Mahal and Fatehpuri Begum / Fatehpuri Masjid / Saheli Burj(7). Miscellaneous Architectural Relics of AGRA Medieval Character of the City / Ghats / Wells and Step Wells / Tanks / Sarais / Gardens - Buland Bagh, Bagh i Nur Afshan or Ram Bagh, Bagh i hasht Bihisht, Dera Bagh. Other Prominent Buildings - Tomb of Firuz Khan, Chhatri Rani Hada, Jami Masjid and Muthamman Chowk, Roman Catholic cemetery at Agra and Hessing's Tomb, Radhasoami Monuments of Agra / Devastation of its Architectural Heritage.

Encyclopedic Work On Agra & Its Sixty Monuments Including The Taj Mahal

This book discusses heritage stones which were used in the making of the architectonic heritage of Delhi and Agra, encompassing UNESCO world heritage sites and heritage sites designated as prominent by the Indian government. The most famous monument of the two cities is the 'Taj Mahal' of Agra. The book focuses on the geological characteristics of the famous Makrana marble, red sandstone and other sandstone variants of the Vindhyan basin and Delhi quartzite, the most widely used stones in almost all the monuments, as well as on their quarries. The work also aims to sensitise the public to protecting and preserving the architectonic heritage of these two densely populated cities in India as repositories of our past cultures and traditions. Identifying the nature and provenance of stones/rocks used in construction will lead to better restoration for future generations, in light of the deterioration of architectonic heritage through various natural weathering agencies and anthropogenic activities. The book will serve as a useful source book to economic geologists, geologists, archaeologists, architects, historians and stone industry operators specifically and to academic and non-academic communities, travellers and tourism industry operators in general. The book will benefit students, researchers, and rock enthusiasts spanning all age groups and academic levels.

‘Very impressive ... It will enrich the understanding of those interested in the history not only about these buildings but also more widely about historical monuments and their preservation’ – Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Chancellor and Professor of History at Ashoka University ‘The first real attempt to bring historical sites and buildings of the past within the reach of the masses ... A must-read for all’ – Syed Ali Nadeem Rezavi, author of Fathpur Sikri Revisited ‘Offers an excellent academic–public interface for the study of monuments, the cities in which they are located, and their extended geocultural connections’ – Rana Safvi, author of The Forgotten Cities of Delhi and Shahjahanabad ‘A book to be read several times, in different ways’ – Swapna Liddle, author of Connaught Place and the Making of New Delhi Delhi, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, historic cities of legend and lore and home to six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, have captured the imagination of Indians and the world at large for centuries. In this ambitious book, Shashank Shekhar Sinha traces the extraordinary pasts of the three imperial capitals, their monuments, settlements and extended geocultural connections, while presenting a graphic account of the iconic heritage sites – from the life and times of rulers who built them, their survival through periods of war, turmoil and conquests, to their present afterlives. Packed with intriguing and little-known stories about the monuments – busting several myths around them along the way – the book takes us on a journey from the pillared galleries of the mosque at the Qutb Minar complex, the majestic double dome of Humayun’s tomb, the bastions of the impenetrable Agra Fort, the picturesque pavilions at Fatehpur Sikri, the tapering minarets of the Taj Mahal, to finally the Mughal court of the Red Fort, giving us the full measure of their dazzling grandeur. ABOUT THE SERIES Combining powerful storytelling with deep, recent scholarship, the Magnificent Heritage series uses multidisciplinary approaches to showcase a fresh perspective on heritage sites and storied cities, locating them in their larger geographical, sociocultural and historical contexts.