Perhaps the most moving view of the Taj is from an octagonal tower in the Agra Fort further along the river Yarnuna. It was here that the Emperor Shah Jehan was imprisoned and where he spent his last days gazing at the tomb of his beloved wife.

It is said that he had planned to build a similar tomb for himself in black marble across the river but it was not to be.

It is open from Tuesday to Sunday. One has to pay entry fee to visit the monument.

Agra Fort
Built between 1565 and 1571 AD, the fort's magnificent towers, bastions, ramparts, and gateways, symbolized the stature and power of Akbar. Within the fort spreading over 1.5 mile-long (2.5km) lie a fascinating collection of impressive buildings including: The Diwan-I-Am or the Hall of audience: a pillared hall whose centerpiece is the throne alcove. This marble structure was built to house the Peacock Throne. The Diwan-I-Khas, where the emperor held audience with visiting dignitaries, was built in 1635. The Khas Mahal, where the emperor slept, had cavities in its flat roof to insulate it from the hot winds of summer. The Macchi Bhawan, or fish chamber, had fountains, tanks and water channels stocked with fish. The emperor and his courtiers amused themselves by angling here. Elegant Moti Masjid, a pearl white marble mosque known for its sheer grandeur and perfect proportion. The Nagina Masjid was built in marble by Shah Jahan to be used exclusively by the women of the zenana or harem. The Sheesh Mahal or Palace of Mirrors, whose mirrored walls reflected and enhanced the lamplights, was used by the women for bathing. A two-storied octagonal tower, the Musamman Burj, is said to be the place from where Shah Jahan last saw the Taj Mahal before dying. 

Jama Masjid
Built by Shah Jahan and dedicated to his favourite daughter Jahanara Begum, the mosque is surrounded by the crowded bazaar the best way to explore it is of course on foot.

Chini Ka Rauza
Decorated with glazed tiles, it is an ideal example of influence of Persian architecture on Mughal style. It is dedicated to poet-scholar and later the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan, Allama Afzal Khal Mullah Shukrullah of Shiraz. Chini Ka Rauza is a creation by Afzal Khan, who was a high official in the court of Shah Jahan.

Itmad-ud-daulah Makbara
Popularly known as 'Baby Taj', this is the tomb of Mirza Ghiyath Begh, who was wazir or Chief Minister in Emperor Jahangir's court. He became a very powerful person after Emperor Jahangir married his daughter Noor Jahan. The tomb was designed by Noor Jahan and was the first Mughal building using marble inlay work.

Mariyam's Tomb
This tomb built ion 1611 AD in the red sandstone is a memoir of Emperor Akbar's Goan Christian wife-Mariyam. Open for the tourists from dawn to dusk.

Ram Bagh
The Mughal love for nature can be seen at Agra in the form of Ram Bagh, one of the earliest gardens, laid by the Mughal ruler Babur, in 1528 AD. It is said to have been the resting-place of his body before it was taken away for a final burial in Kabul. It is 2 to 3 km further north of the Chini Ka rauza on the riverside and is open from sunrise to sunset.

Mehtab Bagh
Situated on the left bank of River Yamuna opposite Taj Mahal, it is basically a garden to visited especially at Night. Central to the garden was an octagonal pool that held the reflection of the Taj Mahal on a clear moonlit night, thus originating the name.

Place at a Glance :-