Taj Mahal :
It is wonder of world and also UNESCO heritage site.
Agra’s Taj Mahal represents the culmination of Mughal architecture in all its refinement and aesthetic delights. Built as a fabulous memorial of refined elegance and superb craftsmanship for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, by Emperor Shah Jahan, the Taj not only incorporates and expands on design traditions of Persian and earlier Mughal architecture, it has created a whole new dimension for architectural vision. Construction of Taj Mahal started in the year 1623 and took 20 years to complete.

Shah Jahan adapted the river-front garden in the layout of the Taj Mahal, the grandest architectural style of his reign. Ustad Isa was the chief architect while Taj’s planner was Ranmal, a Hindu.

The Taj Mahal, located on the bank of the River Yamuna in Agra, is the epitome of architectural splendour known the world over as ‘teardrop on the cheek of time’. The Taj’s luminous beauty has been chiselled out of flawless white marble, with an aesthetic application of decorative features such as delectable motifs in pietra dura and calligraphy.

The grandeur of Taj is losing its sheen to pollution and acid rain. Many campaigns have been organised to save Taj. Awareness and respect given to this monument can save it from becoming a glory of the past.

Agra Fort :
It is UNESCO heritage site.
Agra Fort in red sandstone was Akbar’s gift to the Mughal imperial bastion; a fantastic defence model of massive proportions and grand spaces it overlooks the Yamuna River. Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1666, A.D. although additions were made till the time of his grandson Shah Jahan.

The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise. There are a number of exquisite buildings like Moti Masjid, Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, a white marble mosque akin to a perfect pearl; Diwan-I-Am, Diwan-I-Khaas, Musamman Burj - where Shahjahan died in 1666 A.D., Jahangir's Palace; Khaas Mahal and Shish Mahal.

Fatehpur Sikri :
It is UNESCO heritage site.
Founded in 1569 by Mughal emperor Akbar as his new capital, Fatehpur Sikri, a short distance from Agra, was the first planned Mughal city. Later his descendant the emperor Shah Jahan was to construct Shah Jahanabad in Delhi to rival the beauty of the legendary Persian city of Isfahan. Created from the local red sandstone Fatehpur Sikri was an architect’s delight featuring end number of stunning elements to add to its Indo-Islamic beauty.

Its palaces featured pillars, ornamental arches, jharokhas, chhatris, chhaparkhats and chaukhandis. Almost fifteen years of planning saw the rise of palaces, harems, courts, mosques, pleasure spaces and utility rooms in the vast complex. The fantastic structural aesthetics, carvings etc still stand, even though Akbar had to abandon it for paucity of water. Visitors still marvel at the splendour of the robust Buland Darwaza and the delicate accoutrements of the marble enshrouded Tomb of Salim Chisti housed in the Jama Masjid complex.

Rumi Gate :
Lucknow, the seat of the nawabs of Awadh, is home to several magnificent monuments. The 60 feet high Rumi Gate in Lucknow was constructed during the reign of Nawab Asafi-us-Daula in 1784-86. It is said to be identical in design to an ancient portal at Constantinople in Turkey and is also referred to as Turkish Gate.

It is a huge ornate structure, marked by an eight faceted chhatri in its uppermost part. In earlier times it was used to mark the entrance to the Old Lucknow City. It is now adopted as a symbol of the city of Lucknow.

Imambara :
In Lucknow, two famous structures of the Nawabi era are the bara Imambara and Chhota Imambara.

Kakori is a small hamlet on the outskirts of Lucknow, in the Lucknow-Malihabad mango belt. During British rule, it was customary in this region for the rich Rajas and Nawabs to entertain senior British officers. In mango season, a `mango dinner' was very much in order (dinner in a mango orchard, was followed by a variety of chilled mangoes served in great style). At one such party in Kakori, stung by the remark of a British officer regarding the coarse texture of Seekh Kabab, the host, the late Nawab Syed Mohammad Haider Kazmi summoned his rakabdars, hakims and attars the very next day and asked them to evolve a more refined variety of the Seekh Kabab. Ten days of incessant research and design efforts resulted in the now famous `Kakori Kababs' which were as far as perfection could go. The Nawab invited the same officer again and presented the new version of the Seekh Kabab and needless to say it met with great applause. Since then the Seekh Kababs of Kakori became famous by word of mouth and even today, though cooked elsewhere, are known as `Kakori Kababs'

Asafi Imambara (Bara Imambara) :
This large structure was built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1786-91 and is one of the architectural wonders of that era. Its central hall is said to be the largest vaulted chamber in the world. Except for the galleries in the interior, there is no woodwork in the entire structure. It is now used by Shia Muslims for the purpose of Azadari.

It is believed that the construction of this grand building was started in 1785 when a devastating famine had hit Awadh, and the nawab’s objective was to provide employment for people in the region for almost a decade while the famine lasted.

It has large underground passages which have been blocked up. Staircase leads to a series of labyrinths known as Bhool-Bhulaiya. Bhool-Bhulaiya is a complicated entanglement of zig-zag passages. Visitors are allowed to visit only with authorized guides. Within the compound of the Imambara is the grand Asafi Mosque. Shahi Baoli is another attraction here.

Chhota Imambara :
The Chhota Imambara also known as Hussainabad Imambara stands to the west of Bara Imambara and was built by Nawab Mohammad Ali Shah (1837-42), it is more ornate in design with gilded dome, several turrets, exquisite chandeliers said to be brought from Belgium, gilt-edged mirrors and colourful stuccos which adorn the interiors.

The tombs of Muhammad Ali Shah and other members of his family are inside the Imambara. A golden dome and fine calligraphy on the exterior of the building makes it is truly exceptional monument of Mughal architecture. It is decorated and lit up during special occasions.