Historical

Agra which lies on the west bank of river Jamuna became one of the principal cities of the Mughal Empire after the death of Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat in 1526. When Akbar choose Agra as his capital he laid the foundation of the Fort of Agra. After Taj this was one of the most important group of buildings. The construction was started in 1565 and was completed in about eight years at a cost of thirty five lakh of rupees under the superintendence of Qasim Khan Mir Barr-u-Bahr.

Perched on a rocky hill, the town has ruins of an old fort. Of interest are a temple dedicated to Balark (the Sun) and the ancient ruins of Juna Barmer. The three Jain temples, an incription of 1295 AD and a maassive pillar in the hall of the largest temple of Maharaja Kula Sri Samanta Sinha Deva, a ruler of Bahadmera (now, Barmer) are also worth a visit.

Strategically placed near to the busy Malakhera, Munshi and Sarrafa bazars, a royal cenotaph of a great warrior is definite to catch the attention of the onlookers. The Tripolia, the imperial mausoleum of Sauber Pal, stands elegantly in the midst of these busy market places. This monument was built in the year 1417 AD, in order to commemorate the bravery and valor of Sauber Pal, who was the grandson of Tarang Sultan.

A favourite hot spot of the tourist folk, Moti Doongri is famous for its swanky palace, the Ganesh and Lakshmi Narayan temples. The palace at the uphill was a small fortress earlier and it was renovated by Sawai Man Singh II. It was the residence of the Rajmatha, Gayathri Devi. Monti Doongri palace is built in the style of a Scottish castle and its peculiar architecture is worth mentioning.

The youngest kingdom of the Rajput clan, Alwar presents so many marvelous stony structures and the Bala Quila outshines all of them. A colossal fort, which reflects excellent artistry and caliber, Bala Quila is the most fascinating lure in this pebbly locale.

An illustrious warrior belonged to Khanzada leaders of Alwar, Fateh Jung was a minister in the court of the Mughal Emperor Shajahan. The cenotaph of this great combatant is well recognized as an artistic marvel. Fateh Jung ka Gumbaj is an impressive sepulcher with a colossal arena that displays a perfect mixture of Islamic and Hindu architectural trends. This five-storied structural splendor surpasses all the contemporary monuments.

A blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture, the City Palace of Alwar dates back to the 18th Century. Presently, in the ground floor of the palace, government offices and district courts are functioning. The attractions of the City Palace, Rajasthan include an artificial lake constructed by Maharaja Vinay Singh in 1815. There are also a number of temples on the banks of the lake.

The Taragarh Fort, also known as the 'Star Fort' is the most striking feature of the city. It was built in the year in 1354 AD upon a sharp hillside. The largest fortification is known as the Bhim Burj, and large cannon called Garbh Gunjam was mounted upon it.

The fort is a well-liked tourist destination since it offers a panoramic view of the city. It has three tanks in its premises, which are believed to never dry up. These tanks live to tell the tale of the sophisticated methods of construction and engineering, which were prevalent in medieval India.

A 17th century monument, The Roopangarh Fort was constructed by Maharaja Roop Singh. It has now been successfully changed into a luxurious hotel. The royal ambience and elegance have been skillfully refurbished and it can be experienced from its aesthetically furnished interiors.

Chand Baori (or "Chand Baoli") is arguably amongst the most beautiful step wells in India. It is believed to have been built during the 8th - 9th centuries AD under the patronage of King Raja Chand, a Nikhumba Rajput who ruled the area.

The reasons behind the building such an elaborate step well is not fully clear. Some believe it was used as a water harvesting site. Others believe it could have served religious purposes based on the two carved niches containing rock-cut images of Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesha. Regardless of its purpose, it is difficult to describe the beauty of Chand Baori.