Agra

2022-01-17T11:10:26Z

2402:E280:210F:67:298E:AC44:5C7C:A349: /* Mughal era */

{{short description|Metropolis in Uttar Pradesh, India}}
{{About|the city in Uttar Pradesh, India|}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Agra
| native_name = 
| settlement_type = [[Metropolis]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Metropolitan Cities of India |url=http://www.cpcb.nic.in/EnvironmetalPlanning/ground/Chapter3.pdf |website=cpcb.nic.in |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210838/http://www.cpcb.nic.in/EnvironmetalPlanning/ground/Chapter3.pdf |access-date=22 December 2020|archive-date=23 September 2015 }}</ref>
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage |size=275 |spacing=2 |color=none | photo1a = Taj Mahal in India.jpg |photo2a=Agra 33 - Shivaji monument in front of Red Fort (41541115414).jpg| photo3a = Corner view of Itimad-ud-Daulah 05.JPG| photo2b = Tomb of Akbar the Great.jpg| photo3b = Guru ka Tal wikijib-15.jpg| photo4a = Jaswant Singh-ki-Chattri.jpg |border = black}}
| image_alt =
| image_caption = ''From top:'' The [[Taj Mahal]], [[Shivaji]] monument in front of [[Agra Fort]], [[Akbar's Tomb]], [[Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah]], [[Guru ka Tal]] Gurdwara, [[Jaswant Ki Chhatri]]
| nickname = The Taj City (Taj Nagari)
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Uttar Pradesh#India#Asia
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|27.18|N|78.02|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{IND}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Divisions of Uttar Pradesh|Division]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Agra division|Agra]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Agra district|Agra]]<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=Directorate Of Census Operations, Uttar Pradesh|date=2001|title=District census handbook (Part A & B) – Agra|url=http://lsi.gov.in:8081/jspui/bitstream/123456789/1452/1/38298_2001_AGR.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Municipal Corporation]]
| governing_body = Agra Municipal Corporation
| leader_title = Mayor<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lavania|first1=Deepak|title=BJP wins post of Agra mayor for fifth consecutive time|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/bjp-wins-post-of-agra-mayor-for-fifth-consecutive-time/articleshow/61884543.cms|work=The Times of India|publisher=The Times Group|date=2 December 2017|access-date=27 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023155103/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/bjp-wins-post-of-agra-mayor-for-fifth-consecutive-time/articleshow/61884543.cms|archive-date=23 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| leader_name = Naveen Jain
| leader_party = [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]
| leader_title1 = [[Municipal Commissioner (India)|Municipal commissioner]]
| leader_name1 = Nikhil Tikaram Funde<ref name=":5" />
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_total_km2 = 121
| area_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|title=Agra Nagar Nigam|url=http://www.nagarnigamagra.com/pdfs/AgraCityDetails.pdf|website=nagarnigamagra.com|access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref>
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Elevation of Agra - Wolfram{{!}}Alpha|url=https://www.wolframalpha.com/|access-date=26 September 2020|website=www.wolframalpha.com}}</ref>
| elevation_m = 170
| population_total = 1585704
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes = <ref name=population>{{cite web|title=Census 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=136600|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|access-date=21 May 2016}}</ref>
| population_metro = 1760285
| population_metro_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://citypopulation.de/India-UttarPradesh.html|title=Uttar Pradesh (India): State, Major Agglomerations & Cities – Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information|website=citypopulation.de|access-date=11 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112021344/http://citypopulation.de/India-UttarPradesh.html|archive-date=12 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
| population_rank = [[List of cities in India by population|23rd]]
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = [[Language]]
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi]]<ref name="langoff">{{cite web|title=52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India |url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|website=nclm.nic.in|publisher=[[Ministry of Minority Affairs]]|access-date=7 December 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525141614/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref>
| demographics1_title2 = Additional official
| demographics1_info2 = [[Urdu]]<ref name="langoff"/>
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code =
| area_code = 0562
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| registration_plate = UP-80
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Human sex ratio|Sex ratio]]
| blank2_info_sec1 = 875 [[female|♀]] / 1000 [[male|♂]]
| blank3_name_sec1 = Literacy
| blank3_info_sec1 = 73.11%
| blank_name_sec1 = [[Gross domestic product|GDP Nominal]] ([[Agra district|Agra District]])
| blank_info_sec1 = Rs. 60,488.30 crores (2019-20)<ref>{{cite web |title=District Domestic Product Estimates Uttar Pradesh Year 2019-20 |url=http://updes.up.nic.in/esd/Book/DDP2019-20%20M21.pdf |website=Directorate of Economics And Statistics Government Of Uttar Pradesh |access-date=6 November 2021}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|agra.nic.in|Official District Website}}
| footnotes =
| unemployment_rate =
| founder , =
| official_name =
}}
'''Agra''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɑː|ɡ|r|ə}}, {{IPA-hns|ˈaːgraː|lang|Agra.ogg}}) is a city on the banks of the [[Yamuna]] river in the Indian state of [[Uttar Pradesh]], about {{convert|210|km|mi}} south of the national capital [[New Delhi]] and 335 km west of the state capital [[Lucknow]]. With a population of roughly 1.6 million, Agra is the fourth-most populous city in Uttar Pradesh and [[List of cities in India by population|twenty-third most populous city]] in India.<ref name="CENSUS12">{{cite web|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/city.php|title=Cities in India with population more than 100,000|access-date=10 June 2016|publisher=Census2011|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6FhVjkQ8Y?url=http://www.census2011.co.in/city.php|archive-date=7 April 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Agra's notable historical period began during [[Sikandar Lodi]]'s reign, but the golden age of the city began with the [[Mughals]]. Agra was the foremost city of the [[Indian subcontinent]] and the capital of the [[Mughal Empire]] under Mughal emperors [[Babur]], [[Humayun]], [[Akbar]], [[Jahangir]] and [[Shah Jahan]]. Under Mughal rule, Agra became a centre for learning, arts, commerce, and religion, and saw the construction of the [[Agra Fort]], [[Sikandra, Agra|Sikandra]] and Agra's most prized monument, the [[Taj Mahal]], built by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his favourite empress. With the decline of the Mughal empire in the late 18th century, the city fell successively first to [[Maratha Empire|Marathas]] and later to the [[East India Company]]. After Independence, Agra has developed into an industrial town, with a booming tourism industry, along with footwear, leather and other manufacturing. The Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort are [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Sites]]. The city features mild winters, hot and dry summers and a [[monsoon]] season, and is famous for its Mughlai cuisine. Agra is included on the [[Golden Triangle (India)|Golden Triangle]] tourist circuit, along with [[Delhi]] and [[Jaipur]]; and the [[Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arc]], a tourist circuit of Uttar Pradesh, along with [[Lucknow]] and [[Varanasi]].

== Name ==

The name Agra is explained by different derivations, all of which have low verifiability. The most accepted one is that it had its origin from the Hindi word ''agar'' meaning salt-pan, a name which was given to it because the soil in the region is brackish and salt used to be made here once by evaporation. Others derive it from Hindu History claiming that the [[Sanskrit]] word ''agra'' ({{Lang-sa|अग्र|label=none}}) which means the first of the many groves and little forests where [[Krishna]] frolicked with the ''gopis'' of [[Vrindavan]]. The term ''Agravana'' hence means grove forest.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mukerji|first=Satya Chandra|url=http://archive.org/details/travellersguidet00mukerich|title=The traveller's guide to Agra, containing an account of the past history, the antiquities, and the principal sights of Agra, together with some information about Agra as it is|date=1892|publisher=Delhi, Sen & Co.|others=University of California Libraries|pages=3}}</ref><ref name=":7"/>

Agra was also known as Akbarabad in the Mughal era. The name was coined by the emperor Shah Jahan, in honour of his grandfather Akbar.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bosworth|first=Clifford Edmund|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/231801473|title=Historic cities of the Islamic world|date=2008|publisher=Brill|isbn=978-90-04-15388-2|pages=2|oclc=231801473}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Mughal Agra: A Riverfront Garden City|date=1 January 2008|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/ej.9789004162402.i-1500.148|journal=The City in the Islamic World (2 Vols.)|pages=555–588|publisher=BRILL|doi=10.1163/ej.9789004162402.i-1500.148|isbn=978-90-474-4265-3|access-date=4 July 2021|last1=Koch|first1=Ebba}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Pre-Mughal era ===

Agra has two histories: one of the ancient city on the east, or left, bank of the river [[Yamuna]], going back so far as to be lost in the legends of [[Krishna]] and [[Mahabharata]] and reestablished by [[Sikandar Lodi|Sikandar Lodhi]] in 1504-1505; the other of the modern city, founded by [[Akbar]] in 1558, on the right bank of the river which is associated with the [[Mughals]], and known throughout the world as the city of the Taj. Of ancient Agra little now remains except few traces of the foundations. It was a place of importance under various [[Hindu]] dynasties previous to the [[Muslim invasions of India]], but its history is unclear, and possess little historical interest.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Part One: Babar|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00artlinks/agra_havell/01babur.html#greatmoguls|url-status=live|access-date=3 April 2021|website=www.columbia.edu}}</ref> The 17th century chronicler named Abdhullah said it was a village before the reign of Sikandar Lodi. The king of Mathura had used the [[Agra fort]] as a jail. The degradation in the status of the site was a result of the destruction brought upon it by [[Mahmud of Ghazni]].<ref name="Abraham">Abraham Eraly, [https://books.google.com/books?id=vyEoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT423&dq=mahmud+ravaged+agra&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi7jOO9ipPjAhVRFHIKHWW6DSsQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=mahmud%20ravaged%20agra&f=false The Age of Wrath: A History of the Delhi Sultanate]</ref> [[Masud Sa'd Salman]] claims to have been there when Mahmud assaulted Agra, claiming the Raja Japal surrendered after seeing a nightmare. Mahmud however proceeds to pillage the city.<ref name="Sunil">Sunil Sharma, [https://books.google.com/books?id=HGl4oHZisRIC&pg=PA44&dq=mas%27ud+mahmud+agra&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjJoLfAhJPjAhVDiXAKHTkxCbkQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=mas'ud%20mahmud%20agra&f=false Persian Poetry at the Indian Frontier: Masʻŝud Saʻd Salmân of Lahore]</ref>

[[File:Mariam's Tomb, Sikandra, Agra.JPG|thumb|The [[Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani]] in [[Sikandra, Agra|Sikandra]] was originally built as a ''[[Baradari (building)|Baradari]]'' by Sultan [[Sikandar Lodi]] in 1495.]]
Agra's period of historical importance began during [[Sikandar Lodi]]'s reign. In 1504-1505, Sultan [[Sikandar Lodi]] (reigned 1489–1517<ref name=":20">{{Cite web|title=Lodī dynasty {{!}} Indian history|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lodi-dynasty|access-date=10 April 2021|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref>), the Afghan ruler of the [[Delhi Sultanate]], rebuilt Agra and made it the seat of government.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=Bhanu|first=Dharma|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CctFMm9HSH8C&pg=PP1|title=The Province of Agra: Its History and Administration|date=1979|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|language=en}}</ref> Sikandar Lodhi appointed a commission which inspected and surveyed both sides of the Yamuna from [[Delhi]] to [[Etawah]] and finally chose a place on the left bank, or the east side of the Yamuna, as the site for the city. Agra on the left bank of the Yamuna grew into a large flourishing town with royal presence, officials, merchants, scholars, theologians and artists. The city became one of the most important centres of Islamic learning in India. The sultan founded the village of [[Sikandra, Agra|Sikandra]] in the northern suburbs of the city and built there a ''[[Baradari (building)|Baradari]]'' of red sandstone in 1495, which was converted into a tomb by Jahangir, and now stands as the [[Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani]], Akbar's empress.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bhanu|first=Dharma|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CctFMm9HSH8C&pg=PP1|title=The Province of Agra: Its History and Administration|date=1979|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|pages=2–3|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Part Fourteen: Sikandra|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00artlinks/agra_havell/14sikandra.html#maryam|url-status=live|access-date=4 April 2021|website=www.columbia.edu}}</ref>

After the Sultan's death in 1517, the city passed on to his son, Sultan [[Ibrahim Lodi]] (reigned 1517–26<ref name=":20" />). He ruled his sultanate from Agra until he was defeated and killed by Mughal Emperor [[Babur]] in the [[First battle of Panipat]], fought in 1526.<ref>{{Cite web|title=01babur|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00artlinks/agra_havell/01babur.html#babur|access-date=3 April 2021|website=www.columbia.edu}}</ref>

=== Mughal era ===
The golden age of the city began with the [[Mughals]]. Agra was the foremost city of At 95 years old . subcontinent and the capital of the [[Mughal Empire]] until 1658, when [[Aurangzeb]] shifted the entire court to Delhi.<ref name=":11" />

[[Babur]] (reigned 1526–30<ref name=":19">{{Cite web|title=Mughal dynasty {{!}} History, Map, Rulers, & Facts|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mughal-dynasty|access-date=10 April 2021|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref>), the founder of the Mughal dynasty, acquired Agra after defeating the [[Lodi dynasty|Lodhis]] and the [[Tomaras of Gwalior]] in the [[First Battle of Panipat]] in 1526.<ref name=":19" /><ref name="auto1" /> Babur's connection with Agra began immediately after the battle of Panipat. He sent forward his son [[Humayun]], who occupied the town without opposition. The Raja of Gwalior, slain at Panipat, had left his family and the heads of his clan at Agra. In gratitude to Humayun, who treated them magnanimously, and protected them from plunder, they presented to him a quantity of jewels and precious stones as a token of homage. Among these was the famous diamond [[Koh-i-Noor|Koh-i-nur]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|title=Historical Introduction, Part One: Babar - Babar's connection with Agra|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00artlinks/agra_havell/01babur.html#agra|access-date=3 April 2021|website=www.columbia.edu}}</ref> Babur went on to lay out the first formal Mughal garden in India, the [[Aram Bagh, Agra|Aram Bagh]] (or Garden of Relaxation) on the banks of the river Yamuna. Babur was determined to establish the seat of his government at Agra, but was almost dissuaded by the desolate appearance of the region, as clear from this quote from his memoir ''[[Baburnama]]'':<ref name="auto1" />

{{Blockquote|text=It always appears to me, that one of the chief defects of Hindustan is the want of artificial watercourses. I had intended, wherever I might fix my residence, to construct water-wheels, to produce an artificial stream, and to lay out an elegant and regularly planned pleasure ground. Shortly after coming to Agra I passed the Jumna with this object in view, and examined the country to pitch upon a fit spot for a garden. The whole was so ugly and detestable that I repassed the river quite repulsed and disgusted. In consequence of the want of beauty and of the disagreeable aspect of the country, I gave up my intention of making a ''charbagh'' (garden house); but as no better situation presented itself near Agra, I was finally compelled to make the best of this same spot.... In every corner I planted suitable gardens, in every garden I sowed roses and narcissus regularly, and in beds corresponding to each other. We were annoyed by three things in Hindustan; one was its heat, another the strong winds, and the third its dust. Baths were the means of removing all three inconveniences.|author=Babur|source=Baburnama}}

Very few vestiges remain of Babur's city, of his fruit and flower gardens, palaces, baths, tanks, wells and watercourses. The remnants of Babur's ''Charbagh'' can be seen today at [[Aram Bagh, Agra|Aram Bagh]], on the east side of Yamuna.<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite book|last=Bhanu|first=Dharma|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CctFMm9HSH8C&pg=PP1|title=The Province of Agra: Its History and Administration|date=1979|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|pages=4|language=en}}</ref> Babur was followed by his son Humayun (reigned 1530–40 and 1555–56<ref name=":19" />), but he was completely defeated at Kanauj in 1539, just nine years after his ascension, by [[Sher Shah Suri]], an Afghan nobleman, who had submitted to Babur, but revolted against his son. In this brief interruption in Mughal rule between 1540 and 1556, [[Sher Shah Suri]], established the short lived [[Sur Empire]], and the region was eventually reconquered by Akbar in the [[Second Battle of Panipat]] in 1556.

Under [[Akbar the Great|Akbar]] (reigned 1556–1605<ref name=":19" />), and followed by his grandson Shahjahan, Agra was immortalised in the history of the world. Akbar built the modern city of Agra on the right bank of Yamuna, where the majority of its part still lies. He converted the city into a great centre of political, cultural and economic importance, connecting it with the various parts of his vast empire. Akbar raised the towering ramparts of the Agra Fort, besides making Agra a centre for learning, arts, commerce, and religion. Akbar also built a new capital city of [[Fatehpur Sikri]], around 35 km from Agra. The new capital city was later abandoned.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Part Sixteen: Fatehpur Sikri|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00artlinks/agra_havell/16fatahpursikri.html|url-status=live|access-date=14 September 2020|website=www.columbia.edu}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite book|last=Bhanu|first=Dharma|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CctFMm9HSH8C&pg=PP1|title=The Province of Agra: Its History and Administration|date=1979|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|pages=4–5|language=en}}</ref> Before his death, Agra had become probably one of the biggest cities in the east, with huge amounts of trade and commerce happening through its ''bazaars''.<ref name=":14">{{Cite book|last=Mukerji|first=Satya Chandra|url=http://archive.org/details/travellersguidet00mukerich|title=The traveller's guide to Agra, containing an account of the past history, the antiquities, and the principal sights of Agra, together with some information about Agra as it is|date=1892|publisher=Delhi, Sen & Co.|others=University of California Libraries|pages=20–21}}</ref> The English traveller [[Ralph Fitch]] who visited Agra in September 1585 in the life-time of Akbar, writes about the town:<ref name=":10" />

{{Blockquote|text=Agra is a very great city, and populous, built with stone, having fair and large streets with a fair river running by it . . . . Agra and Fatehpur Sikri are two very great cities, either of them much greater than London, and very populous. Between Agra and Fatehpur are twelve miles ([[Kos (unit)|kos]] in reality) and all the way is a market of victuals and other things as full as though a man were still in a town, and so many people as if a man were in a market.}}

These impressions of Fitch are corroborated by another European traveller, [[William Finch (merchant)|William Finch]], who remarked about Agra:<ref name=":10" />

{{Blockquote|text=It is spacious, large, populous beyond measure, that you can hardly pass the street . . . .}}

Agra continued to expand and flourish during Akbar's successor [[Jahangir|Jahangir's]] reign as he wrote in his autobiography ''Tuzuk-e-Jahangiri'':<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":14" />
Lo
{{Blockquote|text=The habitable part of Agra extends on both sides of the river. On its west side, which has the greater population, its circumference is seven kos, and its breadth is one kos. The circumference of the inhabited part on the other side of the river, the side towards the east, is 2{{1/2}} kos, its length being one kos and its breadth half a kos. But in the number of its buildings it is equal to several cities of Iraq, Khurasan and Trans-Oxiana put together. Many persons have erected buildings of three or four storeys in it. The mass of the people is so great that moving about in the lanes and bazars is difficult.}}

Akbar's successor [[Jahangir]] (reigned 1605–27<ref name=":19" />) had a love of flora and fauna and laid many gardens inside the Red Fort.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Siddiqi|first=Zeba|date=2006|title=City of Agra under the Mughal from 1526-1707|url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/144510566.pdf|journal=Centre of Advance Study Department of History Augarh Muslim University Aligarh (India)|pages=10, 11}}</ref> Akbar's mausoleum at [[Sikandra, Agra|Sikandra]] was completed during Jahangir's reign. The [[Jahangiri Mahal]] in Agra fort and the tomb of [[Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah|Itmad-ud-daulah]] were also constructed during the reign of Jahangir. Jahangir loved Lahore and Kashmir more than Agra, but the latter continued to be the first city of the realm.<ref name=":11" /> It was, however, [[Shah Jahan]] (reigned 1628–58<ref name=":19" />) whose building activity raised Agra to the pinnacle of its glory. [[Shah Jahan]], known for his keen interest in architecture, gave Agra its most prized monument, the [[Taj Mahal]]. Built in loving memory of his wife [[Mumtaz Mahal]], the mausoleum was completed in 1653. The [[Jama Masjid, Agra|Jama Masjid]] and several other notable buildings like the [[Diwan-i-Am (Red Fort)|Diwan-i-Am]], the [[Diwan-i-Khas (Red Fort)|Diwan-i-Khas]], the [[Moti Masjid (Agra Fort)|Moti Masjid]], etc., inside the fort were planned and executed under his orders.<ref name=":11">{{Cite book|last=Bhanu|first=Dharma|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CctFMm9HSH8C&pg=PP1|title=The Province of Agra: Its History and Administration|date=1979|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|pages=1|language=en}}</ref>

Shah Jahan later shifted the capital to [[Shahjahanabad]] (now known as [[Delhi]]) in the year 1648,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Richards|first1=John F.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HHyVh29gy4QC&pg=PA119|title=The Mughal Empire|date=1995|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521566032|language=en}}</ref> followed by his son [[Aurangzeb]] (reigned 1658–1707<ref name=":19" />) moving the entire court to Delhi in 1658. With this Agra began rapidly declining. Nevertheless, the cultural and strategic importance of Agra remained unaffected and in official correspondence it continued to be referred to as the second capital of the empire.<ref name=":11" />

=== Later periods ===
[[File:Agra (Baedeker, 1914).jpg|left|thumb|Map of the city, c. 1914]][[File:Agra, Main Street, c.1858.jpg|right|thumb|Agra, Main Street, c. 1858]]
The [[Decline of the Mughal Empire|decline of the Mughal empire]] caused the emergence of several regional kingdoms, and in the late 18th century the control of the city fell successively to the Jats, the Marathas, the Mughals, the ruler of Gwalior, and finally the British East India Company.<ref name=":21" /> The [[Hindu Jats|Jats]] of [[Bharatpur State|Bharatpur]], waged many wars against the Mughal Delhi and in the 17th and 18th century carried out numerous campaigns in Mughal territories including Agra.<ref name="Unit1973">{{cite book | title=The Gazetteer of India: History and culture | year=1973 | publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India | oclc = 186583361 | page = 348 }}</ref> After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the city came under the influence of another post-Mughal Empire power, the [[Marathas]], before falling into the hands of the British [[East India Company]] in 1803.<ref name=":21">{{Cite web|title=Agra {{!}} India|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Agra|access-date=16 September 2020|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> In the years 1834–1836, Agra was the capital of the short-lived [[Presidency of Agra]], administered by a [[List of Governors of Agra|Governor]]. It was then the capital of the [[North-Western Provinces|North-Western Province]] from 1836 to 1868, governed by a Lieutenant-Governor.<ref name="igi-V-72">{{cite book|title=Imperial Gazetteer of India vol. V|year=1908|pages=72, 158}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite book|last=Mukerji|first=Satya Chandra|url=http://archive.org/details/travellersguidet00mukerich|title=The traveller's guide to Agra, containing an account of the past history, the antiquities, and the principal sights of Agra, together with some information about Agra as it is|date=1892|publisher=Delhi, Sen & Co.|others=University of California Libraries|pages=51, 55–56}}</ref> Agra was one of the centres of the [[Indian rebellion of 1857]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Pletcher|first=Kenneth|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mjr0X-8jrLAC&q=agra+Geography&pg=PA95|title=The Geography of India: Sacred and Historic Places|date=15 August 2010|page= 95|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc|isbn=978-1-61530-142-3|language=en}}</ref>

During the [[Indian rebellion of 1857]], when East India Company rule across many parts of India was threatened, the news of the mutiny at Meerut reached Agra on 14 May. On 30 May some companies of the 44th and 67th Native Infantry sent to Mathura to bring in the treasury mutinied and carried off the treasury to the rebels in Delhi. With the fear of the rebellion spreading to Agra as well, the rest of these native infantry battalions, which were part of the [[garrison]] at Agra, were successfully disarmed by the British on 31 May.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=Mukerji|first=Satya Chandra|url=http://archive.org/details/travellersguidet00mukerich|title=The traveller's guide to Agra, containing an account of the past history, the antiquities, and the principal sights of Agra, together with some information about Agra as it is|date=1892|publisher=Delhi, Sen & Co.|others=University of California Libraries|pages=45}}</ref> However, when the Gwalior contingent mutinied on 15 June, all other native units followed. On 2 July the rebel force of the Nimach and Nasirabad contingents reached Fatehpur Sikri. Fearing advance of the mutineers to Agra, some 6000 Europeans and associated people moved into the [[Agra Fort]] for safety on 3 July. On 5 July, the British force stationed there attempted to attack an approaching force of Mutineers, but was defeated, and the British retreated back into the fort.<ref name=":7" /> The Lieutenant-Governor, [[John Russell Colvin|J.R. Colvin]], died there, and was later buried in front of the [[Diwan-i-Am (Red Fort)|Diwan-i-am]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Part Seven: Agra and the Later Mogul Emperors|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00artlinks/agra_havell/07latermughals.html|url-status=live|access-date=13 September 2020|website=www.columbia.edu}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> The mutineers, however, moved over to [[Delhi]], it being a more important attraction for the rebels. Despite an uprising by a mob and extreme disorder in the city, the British managed to restore partial order by 8 July.<ref name=":7" /> Delhi, in turn, fell to the British in September, following which an infantry brigade led by Brigadier [[Edward Greathed]] arrived in Agra on 11 October without any opposition from rebels. But shortly after their arrival another force of mutineers attacked the brigade by surprise, but was defeated and routed. This minor victory for the British was named the [[Battle of Agra]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Edwardes|first=Michael|url=http://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.37379|title=Battles of the Indian mutiny|date=1963|pages=50–53}}</ref><ref name=":7" /> It is to be said that, the uprising in Agra was relatively minor compared to [[Delhi]], [[Jhansi]], [[Meerut]] and other major rebellious cities and regions.<ref name=":4" /> After this British rule was again secured, and the [[British Raj]] ruled the city till the [[independence of India]] in 1947.<ref name="Digital South Asia Library of University of Chicago">{{cite journal|title=Agra City|journal=Imperial Gazetteer of India (Digital South Asia Library of University of Chicago)|volume=5|pages=83–84|url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V05_091.gif|format=GIF|access-date=8 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522172131/http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V05_091.gif|archive-date=22 May 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> The capital of the [[North-Western Provinces|North Western Provinces]] was shifted from Agra to [[Allahabad]] in 1868. Gradually, Agra declined to the position of a mere provincial town, and its prosperity declined:<ref name=":6" />

{{Blockquote|text=But in the economy of the administration of British India Agra is nothing more than a district town; its size, proportions and manifold activities have come down to its present requirements, and continued life in this city does not come above the average of that monotonous ''muffasil'' life in India which has been so often and so vividly described by many gifted Anglo-Indian writers. Agra has become of late years a large railway centre, and its commercial prosperity seems to be reviving.|author=|title=Agra by 1892, as described by S.C. Mukerji|source=Traveller's Guide to Agra, pp 55-56}}Agra's role in the Indian Independence movement is not well documented.<ref>{{Cite news|date=14 August 2015|title=Agra's crucial role in freedom movement not documented: Historians|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/agra-s-crucial-role-in-freedom-movement-not-documented-historians-115081400786_1.html|access-date=2 October 2020}}</ref> However, in the years between the mutiny and independence Agra was a major centre of Hindi and Urdu journalism.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}} [[Paliwal Park|Paliwal park]](formerly Hewitt park) in Agra is named after [[Srikrishna Dutt Paliwal|S.K.D Paliwal]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 June 2019|title=The heritage of British period statues|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/supplements/section/heritage-british-perios-statues-1502765109.html|access-date=2 October 2020|website=The Statesman|language=en-US}}</ref> who brought out the Hindi daily ''Sainik''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of Hindi Journalism|url=http://www.indianfaculty.com/Faculty_Articles/FA3/fa3.html|access-date=2 October 2020|website=www.indianfaculty.com}}</ref>

=== Post Independence and Mughal legacy ===
Post India's independence, Agra has been a part of [[Uttar Pradesh]] and has gradually developed into an industrial city, with a significant contribution to Uttar Pradesh's economy. The city is now a popular tourist destination and hosts tourists from across the world.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agra {{!}} India|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Agra|access-date=14 April 2021|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> The [[Taj Mahal]] and [[Agra Fort]] received [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Sites]] status in 1983.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Taj Mahal|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/252/|access-date=26 September 2020|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Agra Fort|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/251/|access-date=26 September 2020|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en}}</ref> The Taj Mahal witnesses tourists, photographers, historians and archaeologists in massive numbers all around the year. The Taj Mahal has become a symbol of India and its [[soft power]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=India has an edge over China in soft power, divisive politics must not harm it|url=https://www.dailyo.in/politics/soft-power-india-china-taj-mahal-sangeet-som-narendra-modi/story/1/20146.html|access-date=12 September 2020|website=www.dailyo.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Distinguished Lectures Details|url=https://www.mea.gov.in/distinguished-lectures-detail.htm?850|access-date=12 September 2020|website=www.mea.gov.in}}</ref> Post Independence, Taj Mahal has been visited by world leaders like [[United States|US]] Presidents [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] (1959), [[Bill Clinton]] (2000), and [[Donald Trump]] (2020). [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] of the [[United Kingdom]] had visited Taj Mahal in 1961 on her India visit. Taj Mahal has also been visited by [[Russia]]n President [[Vladimir Putin]] (1999), [[China|Chinese]] President [[Hu Jintao]] (2006), [[Israel]]i Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] (2018) and [[Canada|Canadian]] Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]] (2018).<ref>{{Cite web|last=S|first=Deepika|date=25 February 2020|title=Top world leaders who visited the iconic Taj Mahal|url=https://www.oneindia.com/india/top-world-leaders-who-visited-the-iconic-taj-mahal-3038977.html|access-date=12 September 2020|website=OneIndia|language=en}}</ref> Agra is the birthplace of the now extinct religion known as [[Din-i-Ilahi]], which was founded by [[Akbar]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dīn-i Ilāhī {{!}} Indian religion|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Din-i-Ilahi|access-date=12 September 2020|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> and also of the [[Radha Swami|Radhaswami Faith]],{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}} which has around two million followers worldwide. Agra is included on the [[Golden Triangle (India)|Golden Triangle]] tourist circuit, along with [[Delhi]] and [[Jaipur]];<ref>{{Cite web|title=Exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites on India's Golden Triangle tour|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/exploring-unesco-world-heritage-sites-on-indias-golden-triangle-tour/photostory/80174681.cms|access-date=14 April 2021|website=Times of India Travel}}</ref> and the Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arc, a tourist circuit of Uttar Pradesh, along with [[Lucknow]] and [[Varanasi]].<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh|title=The Heritage Arc|url=http://www.uptourism.gov.in/pages/top/explore/heritage-arc|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Geography and climate ==
=== Geography ===
The region around Agra consists almost entirely of a level plain, with hills in the extreme southwest. The rivers in the region include [[Yamuna]] and [[Chambal River|Chambal]]. The region is also watered by the [[Agra Canal]]. Millet, barley, wheat and cotton are among the crops grown in the surrounding countryside. Both [[Rabi crop|Rabi]] and [[Kharif crop|Kharif]] crops are cultivated. The deserted city of [[Fatehpur Sikri]] is about 40 km southwest of Agra.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Pletcher|first=Kenneth|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mjr0X-8jrLAC&q=agra+Geography&pg=PA95|title=The Geography of India: Sacred and Historic Places|date=15 August 2010|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc|isbn=978-1-61530-142-3|pages=95|language=en}}</ref> The sandstone hills near Fatehpur Sikri and on the south-eastern borders of the district are offshoots from the [[Vindhya Range|Vindhya range]] of [[Central India]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mukerji|first=Satya Chandra|url=http://archive.org/details/travellersguidet00mukerich|title=The traveller's guide to Agra, containing an account of the past history, the antiquities, and the principal sights of Agra, together with some information about Agra as it is|date=1892|publisher=Delhi, Sen & Co.|others=University of California Libraries|pages=152}}</ref> Agra is about 210 km away from the National capital of [[New Delhi]](via [[Yamuna Expressway]]),<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agra to New Delhi|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Agra,+Uttar+Pradesh/New+Delhi,+Delhi/@27.9041535,77.1605964,9z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x39740d857c2f41d9:0x784aef38a9523b42!2m2!1d78.0080745!2d27.1766701!1m5!1m1!1s0x390cfd5b347eb62d:0x52c2b7494e204dce!2m2!1d77.2090212!2d28.6139391|access-date=24 September 2020|website=Agra to New Delhi|language=en}}</ref> about 336 km from state capital [[Lucknow]](via [[Agra–Lucknow Expressway|Agra-Lucknow Expressway]]),<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agra to Lucknow|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Agra,+Uttar+Pradesh/Lucknow,+Uttar+Pradesh/@26.8355481,78.4034269,8z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x39740d857c2f41d9:0x784aef38a9523b42!2m2!1d78.0080745!2d27.1766701!1m5!1m1!1s0x399bfd991f32b16b:0x93ccba8909978be7!2m2!1d80.946166!2d26.8466937|access-date=24 September 2020|website=Agra to Lucknow|language=en}}</ref> and about 227 km from [[Kanpur]](via Agra-Lucknow Expressway).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agra to Kanpur|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Agra,+Uttar+Pradesh/Kanpur,+Uttar+Pradesh/@26.7882466,78.6191962,9z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x39740d857c2f41d9:0x784aef38a9523b42!2m2!1d78.0080745!2d27.1766701!1m5!1m1!1s0x399c4770b127c46f:0x1778302a9fbe7b41!2m2!1d80.3318736!2d26.449923|access-date=24 September 2020|website=Agra to Kanpur|language=en}}</ref> The city has an average elevation of 170 metres above sea level.<ref name="auto"/>

===Climate===
{{Main|Climate of Agra}}
Broadly speaking, the climate of Agra is classified as ''BSh'' by the [[Köppen climate classification|Köppen-Geiger climate classification system]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agra climate: Average Temperature, weather by month, Agra weather averages - Climate-Data.org|url=https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/uttar-pradesh/agra-4867/#temperature-graph|access-date=25 September 2020|website=en.climate-data.org}}</ref> This is the tropical and subtropical [[steppe climate]], a major climate type of the Köppen classification that occurs primarily on the periphery of the true deserts in low-latitude regions, forming a transition between the [[desert climate]] (''BW''), and the more [[Humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical]] and [[tropical climate]]s.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Strahler|first=Alan H.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ygw3-uIKlh0C&q=BSh+by+the+K%C3%B6ppen-Geiger+system&pg=PA156|title=Modern Physical Geography, 4Th Ed|date=10 December 2008|publisher=Wiley India Pvt. Limited|isbn=978-81-265-1924-8|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Tropical and subtropical steppe climate|url=https://www.britannica.com/science/tropical-and-subtropical-steppe-climate|access-date=25 September 2020|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref>

The city features warm winters, sweltering and dry summers and a [[monsoon]] season. The Agra district, from its proximity to the sandy [[Thar Desert]] to the west, is relatively dry, and has greater extremes of temperature than districts further east. The hot west wind, ''[[Loo (wind)|Loo]]'' blows mainly during April, May, and June with great force and can cause fatal heatstrokes.<ref name="rana2007">{{Citation|author=S.V.S. Rana|title=Essentials of Ecology and Environmental Science|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IAPKG4LEBbQC|year=2007|publisher=Prentice Hall of India|isbn=978-81-203-3300-0|quote=''... In the plains of northern India and Pakistan, sometimes a very hot and dry wind blows from the west in the months of May and June, usually in the afternoons. It is known as loo. Its temperature invariably ranges between (115°F-120°F) 45 °C and 50 °C (115°F-120°F). People, when exposed to loo ...''}}</ref> The [[Monsoon of South Asia|monsoon]] rains usually begin in the first week in July; and generally end in mid-September. However, the [[Monsoon of South Asia|monsoons]], though substantial in Agra, are not quite as heavy as the monsoon in other parts of India. The weather moderates by the middle of October.<ref name=":7">{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.17362|title=Agra Vol Xiv|date=1944|pages=22}}</ref><ref>https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/225818/10/10_chapter%203.pdf</ref> The region around Agra, the northwest [[Indo-Gangetic Plain|Indo-Gangetic plain]] is prone to extreme fog in the winter months, which is caused due to natural factors like low winds, low temperatures, availability of moisture apart from air pollution.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 December 2020|title=A pollution link to why Delhi gets heavy winter fog|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/here-is-why-delhi-suffers-fog-every-year/story-oWBynYWUKTCZkAH6HroY1O.html|access-date=24 September 2020|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Choudhary|first=Srishti|date=30 December 2019|title=Delhi records its coldest day in December since 1901|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/cold-wave-intensifies-as-dense-fog-enshrouds-north-india-delhi-records-its-coldest-day-of-the-century-11577708459647.html|access-date=24 September 2020|website=mint|language=en}}</ref> This phenomenon often leads to big delays and sometimes cancellation of trains due to poor visibility. Agra has high levels of air pollution and one of the worst [[Air quality index|AQIs]] in India. In a study conducted by [[World Health Organization|WHO]] using data from years 2010–2016, Agra ranked as the 8th most polluted city in India, along with other nearby cities including [[Delhi]], [[Kanpur]] and [[Faridabad]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 May 2018|title=Air Pollution: India tops world in bad air quality: Kanpur, Delhi among top 15, Mumbai 4th most polluted megacity {{!}} India News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-tops-world-in-bad-air-quality-kanpur-delhi-among-top-15-mumbai-4th-most-polluted-megacity/articleshow/63997130.cms|access-date=24 September 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>{{Weather box
| location = Agra, India (1981–2010, extremes 1901–2002)
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| Jan record high C = 33.0
| Feb record high C = 35.6
| Mar record high C = 42.8
| Apr record high C = 46.5
| May record high C = 48.6
| Jun record high C = 48.5
| Jul record high C = 46.5
| Aug record high C = 43.0
| Sep record high C = 41.4
| Oct record high C = 41.1
| Nov record high C = 36.1
| Dec record high C = 31.0
| year record high C = 48.6
| Jan high C = 22.7
| Feb high C = 26.0
| Mar high C = 32.1
| Apr high C = 38.1
| May high C = 41.9
| Jun high C = 41.5
| Jul high C = 36.0
| Aug high C = 33.7
| Sep high C = 34.5
| Oct high C = 34.5
| Nov high C = 29.7
| Dec high C = 24.5
| year high C = 32.9
| Jan low C = 7.5
| Feb low C = 9.9
| Mar low C = 14.4
| Apr low C = 20.0
| May low C = 24.6
| Jun low C = 26.3
| Jul low C = 25.0
| Aug low C = 23.8
| Sep low C = 22.8
| Oct low C = 18.0
| Nov low C = 12.4
| Dec low C = 7.8
| year low C = 17.7
| Jan record low C = -2.2
| Feb record low C = -1.7
| Mar record low C = 5.6
| Apr record low C = 10.0
| May record low C = 14.0
| Jun record low C = 12.0
| Jul record low C = 14.5
| Aug record low C = 12.0
| Sep record low C = 13.0
| Oct record low C = 9.4
| Nov record low C = 2.8
| Dec record low C = -0.6
| year record low C = -2.2
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 12.4
| Feb rain mm = 12.1
| Mar rain mm = 8.8
| Apr rain mm = 12.3
| May rain mm = 22.6
| Jun rain mm = 81.7
| Jul rain mm = 214.9
| Aug rain mm = 230.2
| Sep rain mm = 129.6
| Oct rain mm = 29.4
| Nov rain mm = 3.4
| Dec rain mm = 3.5
| year rain mm = 760.7
| Jan rain days = 1.3
| Feb rain days = 1.0
| Mar rain days = 1.2
| Apr rain days = 0.9
| May rain days = 2.0
| Jun rain days = 3.2
| Jul rain days = 10.4
| Aug rain days = 10.7
| Sep rain days = 8.0
| Oct rain days = 1.4
| Nov rain days = 0.4
| Dec rain days = 0.4
| year rain days = 39.0
| time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 58
| Feb humidity = 47
| Mar humidity = 39
| Apr humidity = 35
| May humidity = 35
| Jun humidity = 40
| Jul humidity = 66
| Aug humidity = 73
| Sep humidity = 63
| Oct humidity = 49
| Nov humidity = 52
| Dec humidity = 58
| year humidity = 51
| source 1 = [[India Meteorological Department]]<ref name=IMDnormals>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| title = Station: Agra Climatological Table 1981–2010
| work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = January 2015
| pages = 9–10
| access-date = 19 April 2020}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| page = M210
| access-date = 19 April 2020}}</ref>
| date = December 2010}}

=== Environment ===
The Taj Mahal has faced significant damage due to air pollution and sewage discharge into the nearby Yamuna river.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Taj Mahal Facing the Brunt of Environmental Degradation|url=https://www.ndtv.com/agra-news/taj-mahal-facing-the-brunt-of-environmental-degradation-575566|access-date=27 September 2020|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> The white-marble Taj Mahal is turning yellow and green because of filthy air in the world's eighth-most polluted city. The Taj Mahal flanks the garbage-strewn [[Yamuna]] river and is often enveloped by dust and [[smog]] from smokestacks and vehicles.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kataria|first=Sunil|date=22 May 2018|title=Pollution turns India's white marble Taj Mahal yellow and green|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-pollution-india-tajmahal-idUSKCN1IN01S|access-date=27 September 2020}}</ref>

The Yamuna River is one of the most polluted rivers in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|title=A River about to Die: Yamuna|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228553081|access-date=27 September 2020|website=ResearchGate|language=en}}</ref> Agra is the second largest contributor to River Yamuna's pollution, after Delhi.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014|title=Heavy Metal Pollution of the Yamuna River: An Introspection|url=http://www.yamunariverproject.org/assets/72-2014_heavy-metal-pollution-of-the-yamuna-river-an-introspection.pdf|url-status=live|page=857}}</ref> The river's pollution has caused several problems for the Taj Mahal such as 'Attacks by Bugs and their Green Slime',<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Najar|first1=Nida|last2=Raj|first2=Suhasini|date=17 May 2016|title=Taj Mahal Under Attack by Bugs and Their Green Slime|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/18/world/asia/india-taj-mahal-pollution-yamuna-river.html|access-date=3 April 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> foul stench<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|date=25 October 2019|title=Stink is still the flavour of Yamuna in the city of Taj Mahal|url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/stink-is-still-the-flavour-of-yamuna-in-city-of-taj-mahal|access-date=3 April 2021|work=National Herald|language=en}}</ref> and corrosion of Taj Mahal's foundation.<ref name=":9" /> The river has as many as 90 ''nalas'' or drains opening into it. Though the municipality has claimed to stop 40 of these drains, the bigger ones, ''Bhairon'', ''Mantola'', ''Balkeshwar'' ''nalas'' continue to discharge huge quantities of untreated waste water without any check.<ref name=ITJul2019>{{Cite news|date=21 July 2019|title=Dry Yamuna remains a threat to Mughal monuments|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/dry-yamuna-remains-a-threat-to-mughal-monuments-1571787-2019-07-21|access-date=3 April 2021|work=India Today|language=en}}</ref> Activists say that the Yamuna river bed between [[Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah|Itmad-ud-Daula]] and the [[Taj Mahal]] has become a dumping ground for pollutants. Polythene, plastic waste, leather cuttings from shoe factories, construction material, are all thrown into the river.<ref name=ITJul2019/>

Less than 7% of the Agra district is under forest cover.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Uttar Pradesh|url=https://fsi.nic.in/isfr2017/uttar-pradesh-isfr-2017.pdf|website=Forest Survey of India|access-date=25 January 2021}}</ref> The only major wildlife sanctuary near Agra is [[Keetham Lake]], also known as Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. The lake has nearly two dozen varieties of migratory and resident birds.<ref name=":8" /> Within the Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is the [[Agra Bear Rescue Facility]], which is India's first sanctuary for [[Dancing bear|'dancing' bears]]. Operated by [[Wildlife SOS]], [[Free the Bears Fund]] and others, the facility has rehabilitate over 620 [[sloth bear]]s, which were exploited by a nomadic tribe known as the Kalandars as 'dancing bears', despite the practice being illegal since 1972.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Shefali Apte|url=http://archive.org/details/lonelyplanetguidetoindia_202003_300_K|title=Lonely Planet Guide To India|pages=388}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bears - Wildlife SOS|url=https://wildlifesos.org/our-work/bear/|access-date=5 October 2020|website=wildlifesos.org|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
{{IndiaCensusPop|state=
|title= Population growth
|1871= 142700
|1881= 160200
|1891= 168700
|1901= 188300
|1911= 185400
|1921= 185500
|1931= 125300
|1941= 284100
|1951= 375700
|1961= 462000
|1971= 594900
|1981= 723700
|1991= 891800
|2001= 1275000
|2011= 1585000
|footnote = ''Figures rounded off. Source:''<ref name="censusindia1">{{cite web|url=http://www.populstat.info/Asia/indiat.htm|title=Historical Census of India|access-date=29 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217053707/http://www.populstat.info/Asia/indiat.htm|archive-date=17 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
{{see also|List of cities in Uttar Pradesh}}
With a population of roughly 1.6 million, Agra is the fourth-most populous city in Uttar Pradesh and [[List of cities in India by population|twenty-third most populous city]] in India.<ref name="CENSUS12" /> As per the 2011 Census of India, Agra city has a population of 1,585,704; its metropolitan population is 1,760,285. The sex ratio of Agra city is 875 females per 1000 males, while the child sex ratio is 857 girls per 1000 boys. The average literacy rate of Agra city is 73.11% of which male and female literacy rates are 77.81% and 67.74% respectively.<ref name="AGR">http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/115-agra.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412200729/http://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/115-agra.html |date=12 April 2016 }} Agra City Population Census 2011</ref>

{{bar box
|title=Religions in Agra<ref name="AGR"/>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|Hindu|orange|80.68}}
{{bar percent|Muslim|green|15.37}}
{{bar percent|Not Stated|yellow|1.66}}
{{bar percent|Jain|pink|1.04}}
{{bar percent|Sikh|brown|0.62}}
{{bar percent|Christian|blue|0.42}}
{{bar percent|Buddhist|red|0.19}}
{{bar percent|Other|black|0.02}}
|caption=Distribution of religions<br/>
}}Hinduism is the most followed religion in Agra city with 80.68% of its population adhering to it. Islam is second most followed religion in the city of Agra with 15.37% of the population following it. These are followed by Jainism, Sikhism, Christianity and Buddhism at 1.04%, 0.62%, 0.42% and 0.19% respectively. Approximately 1.66% stated 'No Particular Religion'.<ref name="AGR"/>

== Administration and politics ==
=== Administration ===

{| class="wikitable floatright"
|+Local administration as of August 2020
|-
!Key posts of local administration
!Person
|-
|Mayor (elected post)
|Naveen Kumar Jain ([[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]])<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Agra Municipal Corporation::|url=http://www.nagarnigamagra.com/|access-date=7 September 2020|website=www.nagarnigamagra.com}}</ref>
|-
|Municipal commissioner
|Nikhil Tikaram Funde<ref name=":5" />
|-
|Vice-chairman of ADA
|Devendra Kumar Singh Kushwaha<ref>{{Cite web|title=ADA Staff|url=http://www.adaagra.in/Staff.html|access-date=8 September 2020|website=www.adaagra.in}}</ref>
|-
!District and divisional administration
!Person
|-
|Divisional commissioner
|Anil Kumar<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agra Smart City|url=http://agrasmartcity.in/smartagra.aspx?smtid=11&smt_id=19|access-date=16 September 2020|website=agrasmartcity.in}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web|title=IAS Posting Detail|url=http://niyuktionline.upsdc.gov.in/ias-posting-detail.htm?380|access-date=13 September 2020|website=niyuktionline.upsdc.gov.in}}</ref>
|-
|District magistrate and collector
|Prabhu N Singh<ref>{{Cite web|title=District Agra, Government Of Uttar Pradesh {{!}} Taj Mahal City {{!}} India|url=https://agra.nic.in/|access-date=13 September 2020|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
!Police administration
!Person
|-
|Senior superintendent of police (SSP)
|Muniraj G<ref>{{Cite news|date=27 March 2021|title=Kanpur, Varanasi cities get first police commissioners|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/kanpur-varanasi-cities-get-first-police-commissioners-101616786191043.html|access-date=30 March 2021|work=Hindustan Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
|-
|ADG, Agra Zone
|Ajay Anand<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Officers posted at Agra Zone|url=https://uppolice.gov.in/frmOfficials.aspx?zoneagra&cd=MgA2ADgA|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822102009/https://uppolice.gov.in/frmOfficials.aspx?zoneagra&cd=MgA2ADgA|archive-date=22 August 2017|access-date=12 September 2018|website=[[Uttar Pradesh Police]]}}</ref>
|-
|IG, Agra Range
|
|}

==== Police administration ====
Agra district comes under the Agra Police Zone and Agra Police Range, Agra Zone is headed by an [[Additional director general of police|additional director general]] (ADG)-ranked [[Indian Police Service]] (IPS) officer, and the Agra Range is headed by a [[Deputy inspector general of police#India|deputy inspector general]] (DIG)-ranked IPS officer.

The district police is headed by a [[Superintendent of police (India)|senior superintendent of police]] (SSP), who is an [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] officer, and is assisted by six [[Superintendent of police (India)|superintendents of police]] or [[Additional superintendent of police|additional superintendents of police]] for city, east, west, crime, traffic, and protocol, either from the IPS or the [[Provincial Police Service (Uttar Pradesh)|Provincial Police Service]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://uppolice.gov.in/frmOfficials.aspx?agra&cd=MgA3ADQA|title=Officers posted at A[gra]|website=[[Uttar Pradesh Police]]|access-date=12 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822102729/https://uppolice.gov.in/frmOfficials.aspx?agra&cd=MgA3ADQA|archive-date=22 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Each of the several police circles is headed by a circle officer in the rank of [[deputy superintendent of police]].<ref name=":3" />

==== Infrastructure and civic administration ====
Agra Municipal Corporation or Agra Nagar Nigam (AMC or ANN) is the Municipal Corporation responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city of Agra. This civic administrative body administers the city's public services. The mayor and municipal councillors are elected to five-year terms.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Corporation – Nagar Nigam Agra|url=https://nagarnigamagra.com/corporation/|access-date=15 April 2021|language=en-US}}</ref> The Agra Municipal Corporation oversees four zones (Hariparvat, Lohamandi, Tajganj and Chhata) which are further subdivided into 100 wards. The AMC boundary encompasses an area of 121 square km.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agra Nagar Nigam – Ward Wise details|url=http://nagarnigamagra.com/pdfs/AgraCityDetails.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Zones & Wards – Nagar Nigam Agra|url=https://nagarnigamagra.com/zones-wards/|access-date=15 April 2021|language=en-US}}</ref> The Agra Development Authority (ADA), is develops new housing, infrastructure and colonies in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ADA Agra Development Authority|url=http://www.adaagra.in/|access-date=15 April 2021|website=www.adaagra.in}}</ref>

=== Politics ===
{{Pie chart
|radius = 100
|thumb = right
|caption =Vote share of Parties in 2019 Agra Lok Sabha.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agra MP (Lok Sabha) Election Results 2019 Live: Candidate List, Constituency Map, Winner & Runner Up - Oneindia|url=https://www.oneindia.com/agra-lok-sabha-election-result-434/|access-date=14 September 2020|website=www.oneindia.com|language=en}}</ref>
|footer = Incumbent MP Satyapal Singh Baghel of BJP won the Agra Lok Sabha constituency with a margin of 2,11,546 votes by defeating Manoj Kumar Soni of BSP. Satyapal Singh Baghel secured 6,46,875 votes.
|other =
|label1 =[[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]]
|value1 =57
|color1 =#FF4500
|label2 =[[Bahujan Samaj Party|BSP]]
|value2 =38
|color2 =#000080
|label3 =[[Indian National Congress|INC]]
|value3 =4
|color3 =#00FFFF
|label4 =Others
|value4 =1
|color4 =#00FF00
}}[[Agra district]] has two [[Lok Sabha]] constituencies, [[Agra (Lok Sabha constituency)|Agra]] and [[Fatehpur Sikri (Lok Sabha constituency)|Fatehpur Sikri]], and nine [[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly|Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha]] ([[Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]) constituencies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Constituencies {{!}} District Agra, Government Of Uttar Pradesh {{!}} India|url=https://agra.nic.in/constituencies/|access-date=8 September 2020|language=en-US}}</ref> The MP for Agra constituency is [[SP Singh Baghel]], from [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agra MP (Lok Sabha) Election Results 2019 Live: Candidate List, Constituency Map, Winner & Runner Up - Oneindia|url=https://www.oneindia.com/agra-lok-sabha-election-result-434/|access-date=8 September 2020|website=www.oneindia.com|language=en}}</ref> Ahead of the election the for 2022 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, it was announced that two more districts, including Agra, could become a police commissionerate before the elections.<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 November 2021|first=Siraj|last=Qureshi|title=Agra could become a police commissionerate before UP assembly polls|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/agra/story/agra-could-become-police-commissionerate-before-up-assembly-polls-1875382-2021-11-11|access-date=15 November 2021|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>

== Utilities ==
The electricity power distribution and bill collection in Agra is the sole responsibility of [[Torrent Power]], a private sector company. The control of power distribution in Agra was handed over to Torrent Power from the state-owned [[Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited|UP Power Corporation Ltd]] in 2010, in an effort to move towards power reforms and cutting the massive distribution losses in the state. This was the first time power distribution was privatised in Uttar Pradesh, except for [[Noida-Greater Noida Metro|Noida-Greater Noida]] falling under the [[National Capital Region (India)|NCR]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=UPPCL to hand over Agra power network to Torrent Power|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/uppcl-to-hand-over-agra-power-network-to-torrent-power/articleshow/5747905.cms?from=mdr|access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Rawat|first=Virendra Singh|date=2 April 2010|title=Torrent Power begins power distribution in Agra|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/torrent-power-begins-power-distribution-in-agra-110040200056_1.html|access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref>

Agra has three primary sources for municipal water supply: water treatment plants at Sikandra and Jeoni Mandi, and groundwater using tubewells.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agra Municipal Corporation::|url=http://www.nagarnigamagra.com/pdfs/Action%20plan%20to%20reduce%20water%20losses.pdf|access-date=29 September 2020|website=www.nagarnigamagra.com|lay-url=http://www.nagarnigamagra.com/services.htm}}</ref> Since a large portion of the water demand is fulfilled from the [[Yamuna]] river, which is a highly polluted river, water quality in Agra is usually poor, with unhealthy levels of chlorine required for purification. The city's groundwater is also unfit for drinking, and is saline and high in fluoride content. Both sources breach [[CPCB]] standards.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agra's water woes|url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agras-water-woes-7880|access-date=29 September 2020|website=www.downtoearth.org.in|language=en}}</ref> To provide the city with adequate water supply, the Gangajal pipeline project has been initiated.<ref>{{Cite news|date=7 December 2018|title=Gangajal pipeline ready for use, city to get Ganga water by month end|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/gangajal-pipeline-ready-for-use-city-to-get-ganga-water-by-month-end/articleshow/66992857.cms|access-date=30 September 2020|work=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> It includes a 130 km long pipeline laid to bring Ganga water from [[Bulandshahr|Bulandshahr's]] [[Upper Ganga canal]] to Agra. The project has been launched,<ref>{{Cite news|title=PM Narendra Modi launches projects worth Rs 2,980 cr in Agra|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pm-narendra-modi-launches-projects-worth-rs-2980-cr-in-agra/articleshow/67455881.cms?from=mdr|access-date=30 September 2020}}</ref> but has faced criticism due to frequent pipeline leakages.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1 February 2020|first=Deepak |last=Lavania|title=On opening day, leaks detected in Gangajal treatment facility|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/on-opening-day-leaks-detected-in-gangajal-treatment-facility/articleshow/73815392.cms|access-date=30 September 2020|work=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=29 December 2019|title=Taps run dry in 15 wards due to pipeline leaks|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/taps-run-dry-in-15-wards-due-to-pipeline-leaks/articleshow/73000607.cms|access-date=30 September 2020|work=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=शहर में प्रतिदिन हो रही हजारों लीटर गंगाजल की बर्बादी|url=https://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/firozabad/story-thousands-of-liters-of-ganga-water-being-wasted-daily-in-the-city-3525671.html|access-date=30 September 2020|website=Hindustan|language=hi}}</ref>

Though most of the city uses cylinders for cooking gas, piped natural gas is also available in select localities, including [[Kamla Nagar, Agra|Kamla Nagar]] and others. The service is provided by Green Gas Limited.<ref>{{Cite news|date=24 May 2018|first=Deepak |last=Lavania|title=UP cabinet approves proposal for piped gas supply in state|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/up-cabinet-approves-proposal-for-piped-gas-supply-in-state/articleshow/64294141.cms|access-date=29 September 2020|work=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=28 April 2015|first=Arvind |last=Chauhan|title=Agra residents to get PNG|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/Agra-residents-to-get-PNG/articleshow/47087732.cms|access-date=29 September 2020|work=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

== Economy==
Due to the presence of the Taj Mahal and other historic monuments, Agra has a booming tourism industry as well as royal crafts like ''[[Pietra Dura]]'', marble inlay and carpets.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Splendid Radhasoami Satsangs Temple at Agra |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/the-splendid-radhasoami-satsangs-temple-at-agra/1754825 |access-date=7 September 2020 |work=Outlook |date=7 March 2020}}</ref>

40% of the population depends largely on agriculture, and others on the leather and footwear business and iron foundries. Agra was the second most self-employed in India in 2007, behind Varanasi, followed by Bhopal, Indore and Patna. According to the National Sample Survey Organization, in 1999–2000, 431 of every 1,000 employed males were self-employed in the city, which grew to 603 per 1,000 in 2004–05.<ref name="min">{{cite news |title=India's new Entrepreneurs |url=http://www.livemint.com/2007/05/16001310/Indias-new-Entrepreneurs.html |newspaper=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]] |date=16 May 2007 |access-date=25 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818172113/http://www.livemint.com/2007/05/16001310/Indias-new-Entrepreneurs.html |archive-date=18 August 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Tourism has a significant role in the economy of Agra, with upwards of 9.5 million tourists visiting Agra and surrounding monuments in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Year-wise Tourist Statistics|url=http://www.uptourism.gov.in/pages/top/about-up-tourism/year-wise-tourist-statistics|access-date=15 September 2020|website=www.uptourism.gov.in}}</ref> The city is home to Asia's largest spa called Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa, at the ITC Hotel Mughal in Agra.<ref>{{cite news|title=ITC unveils Asia's largest spa in Agra|journal=Economic Times (India)|date=9 March 2008|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Features/The_Sunday_ET/Economy/ITC_unveils_Asias_largest_spa_in_Agra/rssarticleshow/2848717.cms|access-date=8 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226223945/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Features/The_Sunday_ET/Economy/ITC_unveils_Asias_largest_spa_in_Agra/rssarticleshow/2848717.cms|archive-date=26 December 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=ITC Hotels, Welcomhotel present Ollie's Virtual Summer Camp |url=http://bwhotelier.businessworld.in/article/ITC-Hotels-Welcomhotel-present-Ollie-s-Virtual-Summer-Camp/20-08-2020-310899/ |access-date=7 September 2020 |work=Business World |date=20 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Other hotels include Taj Hotel and Convention Centre.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chaudhuri |first1=Sharmistha |title=A Moment In Time: The Taj Hotel and Convention Centre Agra |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/stay/story/68904/review-a-stay-at-the-taj-hotel-and-convention-centre-agra-is-a-must-when-visiting-the-taj-mahal |access-date=7 September 2020 |work=Outlook |date=31 October 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

[[Sanjay Place]] is the trade centre of Agra. There are about 12 major and medium scale industries, producing electrical goods, pipes, leather goods etc. There are about 7,200 small scale industrial units. Above 1.5 lakh pairs of shoes per day are manufactured in agra by the various footwear units.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Economy {{!}} District Agra, Government Of Uttar Pradesh {{!}} India|url=https://agra.nic.in/economy/|access-date=7 September 2020|language=en-US}}</ref> Agra city is also known for its leather goods, the oldest and famous leather firm Taj Leather World is in Sadar bazar. The carpets, handicrafts, ''zari and zardozi'' (embroidery work), marble and stone carving and inlay work.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cultural extravaganza: Taj Mahotsav |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/supplements/travel/cultural-extravaganza-taj-mahotsav-807626.html |access-date=7 September 2020 |work=Deccan Herald |date=25 February 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Beyond the Taj Mahal |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/features/beyond-the-taj-mahal-48035 |access-date=7 September 2020 |work=Tribuneindia News Service |date=1 March 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

Agra amassed a GDP of 40,210 crores as per the data released by [[Government of Uttar Pradesh|UP Government]] for the year 2018–19, thus the 3rd rank in the state.<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 March 2020|title=Noida tops Uttar Pradesh GDP & per capita income again, Lucknow is second {{!}} Lucknow News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/noida-tops-state-gdp-per-capita-income-again-lucknow-is-second/articleshow/74602571.cms|access-date=6 September 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

In the [[Swachh Survekshan]] 2020, Agra ranked 16th nation-wide, and 2nd in the state after [[Lucknow]], which was a big jump after 86th in 2019, 102nd in 2018, and 263th in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Swachh Survekshan 2020: स्वच्छता में आगरा की लंबी छलांग, देश में पाया 16वां स्थान|url=https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/agra/pm-modi-announce-results-of-swachh-survekshan-2020-agra-got-16th-rank|access-date=6 September 2020|website=Amar Ujala|language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Swachh Survekshan 2020: Top 20 cleanest cities in India|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/in-focus/article/swachh-survekshan-2020-top-20-cleanest-cities-in-india/639957|access-date=6 September 2020|website=www.timesnownews.com|language=en}}</ref> In the [[Smart Cities Mission|Smart city Rankings]], which are pan-India rankings for 100 cities which is released by the [[Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs]] based on the progress/completion rate of Smart City projects, Agra ranked 1st, based on the rankings released based on work done by department concerned under the Smart City project from 1 October 2019, to 1 March 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Uttar Pradesh: Agra tops smart cities chart with 2 other cities - ET Government|url=https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/smart-infra/uttar-pradesh-agra-tops-smart-cities-chart-with-2-other-cities/74622643|access-date=6 September 2020|website=ETGovernment.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=15 March 2020|first=Siraj|last=Qureshi|title=Agra residents surprised as city ranks No. 1 in list of smart cities|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/agra-residents-surprised-city-ranks-top-smart-cities-list-1655721-2020-03-15|access-date=6 September 2020|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>

As of August 2020, Industrial activity in Agra has been affected as a result of the restrictions imposed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] that has forced people to remain confined to their homes. The sectors worst-hit are the iron foundries, tourism, leather shoe industry in Agra.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agra's industrial growth takes a hit from COVID-19|url=https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/national/agras-industrial-growth-takes-a-hit-from-covid|access-date=7 September 2020|website=National Herald|language=en}}</ref> It is estimated that the loss in the tourism industry due to COVID-19 restrictions is approximately ₹ 2,200 crores.<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 September 2020|first=Siraj |last=Qureshi |title=Agra tourism industry lost Rs 2,200 crores in past 6 months due to Taj closure in lockdown|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/agra-tourism-industry-lost-rs-2-200-crores-in-past-6-months-due-to-taj-closure-in-lockdown-1719937-2020-09-09|access-date=15 September 2020|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>

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== Monuments and architecture ==
{{more citations needed section|date=April 2021}}

===Taj Mahal===
{{main|Taj Mahal}}
{{Blockquote|text=The Taj Mahal rises above the banks of the river like a solitary tear suspended on the cheek of time.|author=[[Rabindranath Tagore]]|title=|source=(translated by Kshitish Roy) from One Hundred and One Poems by Rabindranath Tagore (pp. 95-96)}}
Taj Mahal is mausoleum complex in Agra, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal (“Chosen One of the Palace”), who died in childbirth in 1631, having been the emperor's inseparable companion since their marriage in 1612. India's most famed building, it is situated in the eastern part of the city on the southern (right) bank of the Yamuna River, about 1.6 km east of the Agra Fort, also on the right bank of the Yamuna. The Taj Mahal is distinguished as the finest example of Mughal architecture, a blend of Indian, Persian, and Islamic styles. Other attractions include twin mosque buildings (placed symmetrically on either side of the mausoleum), pleasant gardens, and a museum. The complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983,<ref>{{Cite web|title=UNESCO - World Heritage Site|url=https://www.tajmahal.gov.in/uneso-world-heritage-site.aspx|access-date=15 September 2020|website=www.tajmahal.gov.in}}</ref> and is one of the [[New Seven Wonders]] of the world.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New Seven Wonders of the World|url=https://www.britannica.com/list/new-seven-wonders-of-the-world|access-date=15 September 2020|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> The Taj Mahal is the most visited tourist spot in the India, attracting nearly 6.9 million visitors in 2018–19.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sharma|first=Aman|title=Tourists up at Taj Mahal and Red Fort but Qutub Minar loses its No.2 Spot|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/tourists-up-at-taj-mahal-and-red-fort-but-qutub-minar-loses-its-no-2-spot/articleshow/70152555.cms|access-date=15 September 2020}}</ref><ref name=":18">{{Cite web|title=Taj Mahal {{!}} Definition, Story, Site, History, & Facts|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Taj-Mahal|access-date=7 April 2021|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref>

The chief architect was probably the Persian architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori. Designed as a unified entity according to the principles of Mughal architecture, the five principal elements of the complex were the main gateway, garden, mosque, ''jawab'' (literally 'answer', a building mirroring the mosque), and the mausoleum, with its four minarets. The construction commenced in 1632 with upwards of twenty thousand workers from India, Persia, the Ottoman Empire, and Europe working to complete the mausoleum itself by 1639, the adjunct buildings by 1643, with decoration work continuing until at least 1647. In total, construction of the 42 acre (17 hectare) complex spanned 22 years.<ref name=":18" />

It can be observed from [[Agra Fort]] from where Emperor Shah Jahan gazed at it for the last eight years of his life, a prisoner of his son [[Aurangzeb]]. Verses of the Quran are inscribed on it and at the top of the gate are 22 small domes, signifying the number of years the monument took to build. The Taj Mahal was built on a marble platform that stands above a sandstone one. The most elegant and largest dome of the Taj Mahal has a diameter of {{convert|60|ft|m}}, and has a height of {{convert|80|ft|m}}; directly under this dome is the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan's tomb was erected next to hers by his son Aurangzeb. The interiors are decorated with fine ''[[Pietra dura]]'' inlay work, incorporating semi-precious stones.

However, air pollution caused by emissions from foundries and other nearby factories and exhaust from motor vehicles has damaged the Taj, notably its marble facade.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Taj Mahal {{!}} Definition, Story, History, & Facts|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Taj-Mahal|access-date=15 September 2020|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> A number of measures have been taken to reduce the threat to the monument, among them the closing of some foundries and the installation of pollution-control equipment at others, the creation of a parkland buffer zone around the complex, and the banning of nearby vehicular traffic, and more recently, use of 'mud pack' therapy.<ref>{{Cite news|date=22 February 2020|first=Anuja |last=Jaiswal|title=Shah Jahan, Mumtaz graves undergo 'mud pack' therapy|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/agra-ahead-of-donald-trumps-visit-mumtaz-mahal-and-shahjahan-get-mudpacks-at-their-final-resting-place-for-ist-time-in-368-years/articleshow/74248512.cms|access-date=12 September 2020|work=The Times of India}}</ref> Perhaps most importantly, the {{cvt|10,400|km2}} [http://www.ttzagra.com Taj Trapezium Zone] has been created around the Taj Mahal and other nearby monuments where strict pollution restrictions are in place on industries, following a 1996 Supreme Court of India ruling.<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 May 2008|title=Why is the Taj Trapezium Zone and why is it called so?|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Why-is-the-Taj-Trapezium-Zone-and-why-is-it-called-so/articleshow/3008537.cms|access-date=12 September 2020|work=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed" heights="160">
File:Taj Mahal (Edited).jpeg|The most common front view of the Taj Mahal
File:Taj Mahal-10 (cropped).jpg|Taj Mahal and outlying buildings as seen from across the [[Yamuna River]] (northern view)
File:Persian prince tomb taj mahal.jpg|Tombs of [[Shah Jahan]] and his beloved wife, [[Mumtaz Mahal]]
File:TM from Red Fort.jpg|[[Taj Mahal]] from [[Agra fort]]
</gallery>

===Agra Fort===
{{main|Agra Fort}}
The Agra Fort is a large 16th-century fortress of red sandstone located by the [[Yamuna river|Yamuna River]] in Agra. It was first established by the Mughal Emperor [[Akbar]] and served as the seat of royal government when Agra was the capital of the Mughal empire in addition to being a military base and a royal residence. Built on the site of earlier fortifications by [[Islam Shah Suri]]<ref name=":17">{{Cite web|title=Part Eight: The Fort|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00artlinks/agra_havell/08agrafort.html|url-status=live|access-date=6 April 2021|website=www.columbia.edu}}</ref>(son of [[Sher Shah Suri]]), the Agra Fort lies on the right bank of the Yamuna River and is connected to the [[Taj Mahal]] (downstream, around a bend in the Yamuna), by a stretch of parkland. The fort was commissioned by Akbar in 1565, taking around eight years to build.<ref name=":16" /> Though much of the structure of the fort was founded by Akbar, both the interior and exterior underwent considerable changes under his son [[Jahangir]] and grandson [[Shah Jahan]], who added many new structures, often of marble.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mukerji|first=Satya Chandra|url=http://archive.org/details/travellersguidet00mukerich|title=The traveller's guide to Agra, containing an account of the past history, the antiquities, and the principal sights of Agra, together with some information about Agra as it is|date=1892|publisher=Delhi, Sen & Co.|others=University of California Libraries|pages=83}}</ref> The red sandstone walls of the roughly semi-circular structure<ref>{{Cite web|title=Incredible India {{!}} Agra Fort|url=https://www.incredibleindia.org/content/incredibleindia/en/destinations/agra/agra-fort.html|access-date=7 April 2021|website=www.incredibleindia.org}}</ref> have a perimeter of about 2.5 km, rise 21 metres high, and are surrounded by a moat.<ref name=":16" /> There are two entrances in the walls: the Delhi Gate facing west, the original entrance, situated nearly opposite to the Agra Fort railway station and Jama Masjid, and decorated with intricate marble inlays; and the Amar Singh Gate(also known as ''Hathi Pol<ref name=":17" />'', or Elephant Gate) facing south, presently the only means in or out of the fort complex).<ref name=":16" /> The complex of buildings in the fort—reminiscent of Persian and Timurid architecture,<ref name=":16" /> with great inspiration from Jain and Hindu architecture<ref name=":17" />—forms a city within a city.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web|title=Agra Fort {{!}} historical fortress, Agra, India|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Agra-Fort|access-date=6 April 2021|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref>

Among the major attractions in the fort is [[Jahangiri Mahal]], the largest residence in the complex, built by Akbar as a private palace for his son Jahangir. In the Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience), the emperor would listen to public petitions and meet state officials. The Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) was used for receiving distinguished visitors. The famous [[Peacock Throne]] was once kept there, before [[Aurangzeb]] took it to Delhi. Near the Diwan-i-Khas stands the [[Musamman Burj (Agra Fort)|Musamman Burj]], an octagonal Tower which was the residence of Shah Jahan's favourite empress, [[Mumtaz Mahal|Mumtaz Maḥal]]. The [[Moti Masjid (Agra Fort)|Moti Masjid]] (Pearl Mosque), constructed by Shah Jahan, is a structure made entirely of white marble. The emperor's private residence was the Khas Mahal, whose marble walls were once adorned with flowers depicted by precious gems. Located to its northeast is the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), its walls and ceilings inlaid with thousands of small mirrors.<ref name=":16" /> Numerous other structures are there in the complex, including the ''Anguri Bagh'', the ''Mina Bazaar'' etc.<ref name=":17" />

In addition to its other functions, the fort also served as a prison for Shah Jahan when Aurangzeb, his son and successor as emperor, had him confined there from 1658 until his death in 1666.<ref name=":16" />

<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:Jahangiri Mahal-Red Fort-Agra-India5356.JPG|The [[Jahangiri Mahal]], the largest residence in the complex
File:Musamman Burj (Agra Fort)-2.jpg|[[Musamman Burj (Agra Fort)|Musamman Burj]], an octagonal Tower which was the residence of Shah Jahan's favourite empress, [[Mumtaz Mahal|Mumtaz Maḥal]]
File:20191204 Czerwony Fort w Agrze 0934 6593 DxO.jpg|The [[Moti Masjid (Agra Fort)|Moti Masjid]] or the Pearl Mosque
File:AgraFort.jpg|[[Amar Singh Gate]], one of two entrances into Agra's Red Fort
</gallery>

===Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb===
{{main|Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb}}
[[File:I'timād-ud-Daulah, Agra.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The [[Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb]]]]
The Empress [[Nur Jehan|Nur Jahan]] built [[Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb]], sometimes called the "Baby Taj", for her father, [[Mirza Ghiyas Beg]], the Chief Minister of the Emperor [[Jahangir]]. Located on the left bank of the [[Yamuna]] river, the mausoleum is set in a large cruciform garden, criss-crossed by water courses and walkways. The area of the mausoleum itself is about {{Convert|23|m2|ft2|abbr=on}}, and is built on a base that is about {{Convert|50|m2|ft2|abbr=on}} and about {{convert|1|m|ft|spell=in|abbr=off}} high. On each corner are hexagonal towers, about {{convert|13|m|ft|spell=in|abbr=off}} tall. Small in comparison to many other Mughal-era tombs, it is sometimes described as a jewel box. Its garden layout and use of white marble, [[pietra dura]], inlay designs and [[latticework]] presage many elements of the [[Taj Mahal]].

The walls are white marble from [[Rajasthan]] encrusted with semi-precious stone decorations – [[cornelian]], [[jasper]], [[lapis lazuli]], [[onyx]], and [[topaz]] in images of [[cypress]] trees and wine bottles, or more elaborate decorations like cut fruit or vases containing bouquets. Light penetrates to the interior through delicate [[Jali]] screens of intricately carved white marble.

Many of Nur Jahan's relatives are interred in the mausoleum. The only asymmetrical element of the entire complex are the tombs of her father and mother, which have been set side-by-side, a formation replicated in the Taj Mahal.{{Clarify|date=October 2012|reason=Why is this asymmetrical?}}

===Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra===
{{main|Tomb of Akbar the Great}}
[[File:Sikandra 066.JPG|right|thumb|200px|[[Tomb of Akbar the Great]]]]
[[Sikandra, Agra|Sikandra]], the last resting place of the Mughal Emperor [[Akbar the Great]], is on the Delhi-Agra Highway, about {{convert|13|km|mi|abbr=off}} from the [[Agra Fort]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agra Fort to Sikandra|url=https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Agra+Fort,+Rakabganj,+Agra,+Uttar+Pradesh+282003/Sikandra,+Agra,+Uttar+Pradesh/@27.1959245,77.9484518,12.88z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x397470d491343beb:0x640a5ccc94029576!2m2!1d78.021112!2d27.1795328!1m5!1m1!1s0x3974781b418e5cc3:0xab8795ddd08e4eb6!2m2!1d77.9466756!2d27.217135!3e0|access-date=16 September 2020|website=Agra Fort to Sikandra|language=en}}</ref> The four-storied tomb combines both marble and sandstone in its exterior. The construction of Sikandra was commenced in Akbar's reign, and was completed by his heir and son [[Jahangir]] in 1613. The tomb with is set amidst a large garden, and is enclosed by four battlemented walls, each with a large gateway. The 99 names of Allah have been inscribed on the tomb. The tomb has seen some damage to its minarets and other aspects, which was inflicted by the [[Jat people|Jats]] of Bharatpur.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Part Fourteen: Sikandra|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00artlinks/agra_havell/14sikandra.html|url-status=live|access-date=16 September 2020|website=www.columbia.edu}}</ref> The vast gardens around Sikandra are inhabited by several [[Blackbuck]]s, which are in the process of being shifted to the [[Etawah Safari Park]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=About 80 Blackbucks Inhabiting Grounds Around Akbar's Tomb in Sikandra to Get a New Home|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/about-80-blackbucks-inhabiting-grounds-around-akbars-tomb-in-sikandra-to-get-a-new-home-2391799.html|access-date=16 September 2020|website=News18|date=18 November 2019}}</ref>

=== Other places of Interest ===

Agra also has several other places of interest, most of them from its Mughal past. They include the Jama Masjid, Chini Ka Rauza, Aram Bagh, Mariam's Tomb, Mehtab Bagh among others. The [[Jama Masjid (Agra)|Jama Masjid]] is a large mosque attributed to Shah Jahan's daughter [[Jahanara Begum]], built in 1648, notable for its unusual dome and absence of minarets. The [[Chini Ka Rauza]], notable for its [[Persian architecture|Persian]] influenced dome of blue glazed tiles, is dedicated to the prime minister of Shah Jahan, Afzal Khan.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Part Twelve: The Chînî-ka-Rauza|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00artlinks/agra_havell/12chinikarauzah.html|url-status=live|access-date=16 September 2020|website=www.columbia.edu}}</ref> The [[Aram Bagh, Agra|Aram Bagh]], commonly known as Ram Bagh today, is one of the oldest [[Mughal garden]] in India, and was built by the Mughal emperor [[Babur]] in 1528 on the bank of the Yamuna.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Part Thirteen: The Ram Bagh|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00artlinks/agra_havell/13rambagh.html|url-status=live|access-date=16 September 2020|website=www.columbia.edu}}</ref> It lies about {{convert|2.3|km|0|abbr=on}} north of the Taj Mahal. The original name of the gardens was Aram Bagh, or 'Garden of Relaxation', and this was where Babur used to spend his leisure time. [[Mariams Tomb]], is the tomb of Mariam, the wife of Emperor [[Akbar]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Part Fourteen: Sikandra – Mariam Zamâni's Tomb|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00artlinks/agra_havell/14sikandra.html#maryam|url-status=live|access-date=16 September 2020|website=www.columbia.edu}}</ref> The tomb is within the compound of the Christian Missionary Society. The [[Mehtab Bagh]], or 'Moonlight Garden', is on the opposite bank of the [[River Yamuna]] from the Taj Mahal. Agra also has a nearby bird sanctuary, [[Keetham Lake]]. Also known as Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, it is situated within the Surdas Reserved Forest. The lake has nearly two dozen varieties of migratory and resident birds.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|title=Incredible India {{!}} Keetham Lake|url=https://www.incredibleindia.org/content/incredibleindia/en/destinations/agra/keetham-lake.html|access-date=16 September 2020|website=www.incredibleindia.org}}</ref>

{{multiple image
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| image4 = Mariam's Tomb, Sikandra, Agra.JPG
| footer = '''Other places of Interest.''' Clockwise from upper left: Plan of the Taj Mahal complex with the Mehtab Bagh gardens to the left, Jama Masjid, Chini Ka Rauza, Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani.
| align = center
}}

{{Tourist attractions in Agra}}

==Culture==
=== Cuisine ===
[[File:Petha-from-Agra.JPG|thumb|The sweet dish ''[[petha]],'' which is a symbol of Mughal legacy.<ref name="HinduOct2019">{{Cite news|last=Sharma|first=Sudhirendar|date=12 October 2019|title=Name, place, confection, thing|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/name-place-confection-thing/article29657621.ece|access-date=12 September 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>]]
Agra's cuisine is derived from its Mughal past. [[Mughlai cuisine]] mainly consists of meat enriched with creamy, boldly flavoured curries, with lots of dried fruits and spices. Vegetarian dishes, using ''[[paneer]]'' instead of meat are equally loved. Mughal cuisine is available in restaurants all around the city.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web|title=About Agra|url=https://www.tajmahal.gov.in/about-agra.aspx|access-date=5 April 2021|website=www.tajmahal.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Shahi Paneer – Indianlife Foods Inc.|url=https://www.indianlife.com/product/shahi-paneer/|access-date=5 April 2021|language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Petha]]'', a sweet made using [[ash gourd]], is one of the famous dishes of Agra, and is available in many varieties. Another dish that is endemic to Agra is ''Dalmoth'', which is a dry snack made with spicy fried ''[[dal]]'' (lentils), nuts and raisins. The breakfast specialties include ''Bedai'', which is a puffy ''[[kachori]]'' (made with all purpose flour, which is deep fried) with spicy filling inside and is generally served with spicy ''aloo [[Sabji|sabzi]]'' and ''dahi''.(Curd)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Agra Street Food: Ultimate Guide To The 'Khao-Galis' Of The City|url=https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/agra-street-food-ultimate-guide-to-the-khao-galis-of-the-city-2172767|access-date=17 September 2020|website=NDTV Food}}</ref><ref name="HinduOct2019" /> Equally popular as a snack is ''[[Chaat]]'', a collective term which includes snacks like ''[[Dahi bhalla|Dahi-bhalla]]'', ''Raj kachori'', ''[[samosa]]s'', and ''[[Gol Gappa|gol gappas]]'', among others. ''[[Paratha]]'', a pan fried flat wheat bread which is stuffed with potatoes, cauliflower, carrots or ''paneer,'' is also popular, and eaten accompanied with curd, pickle and ''[[chutney]]''.<ref name=":13" />

=== Taj Mahotsav ===
[[Taj Mahotsav]] is a cultural festival and craft fair that was started in the year 1992 and has grown since then. The year 2019 was the 28th year of this Mahotsav. The fair is held in a big field in Shilpgram, near the eastern gate of the Taj Mahal. This festival also figures in the calendar of events of the Department of Tourism, Government of India. A large number of Indian and foreign tourists coming to Agra join this festivity. One of the objectives of this craft fair is to provide encouragement to the artisans. It also makes available works of art and craft at reasonable prices that are not inflated by high maintenance cost.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Taj Mahotsav ::Taj Mahotsav, a 10 days festival is organized from 18th to 27 February. In this carnival you can see India's rich arts, crafts, cultures, cuisine, dance, music and many more things of incredible India|url=http://www.tajmahotsav.org/about_tajmahotsav.html|access-date=26 September 2020|website=www.tajmahotsav.org}}</ref> The Mahotsav is hosted from 18 to 27 February every year. The theme for the 2020 Taj Mahotsav was ''Sanskriti ke Rang, Taj ke Sang.''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Taj Mahotsav 2020 continues to woo tourists from across the globe|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/taj-mahotsav-2020-continues-to-woo-tourists-from-across-the-globe/as74302635.cms|access-date=26 September 2020|website=Times of India Travel}}</ref> For the first time since 1992, Taj Mahotsav 2021 has been cancelled, because of tourism restrictions during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 January 2021|title=Pandemic forces Taj Mahotsav cancellation for the first time since 1992|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pandemic-forces-taj-mahotsav-cancellation-for-the-first-time-since-1992-101610176617100.html|access-date=7 April 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

== Transport ==
{{more citations needed section|date=April 2021}}

===Air===
As of April 2021, Indigo operates regular flights between [[Agra Airport|Agra airport]] and Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bhopal and Bengaluru. The Agra Airport at Kheria is controlled by the Indian Air Force.<ref>{{Cite news|date=29 March 2021|first=Deepak |last=Lavania |title=Agra gets air connectivity with Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bhopal & Bengaluru |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/agra-gets-air-connectivity-with-mumbai-ahmedabad-bhopal-bengaluru/articleshow/81738974.cms |access-date=15 April 2021 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>

===Rail===
{{Main|Railways in Agra}}
[[File:Agra Cant railway station.jpg|thumb|Agra Cantt Railway Station]]
[[File:Railway Map, Agra.jpg|thumb|Railway Map of Agra (the line to Jaipur has meanwhile been converted to broad gauge)]]
The city of Agra is served by 7 Railway stations viz. [[Agra Cantonment railway station|Agra Cant.(major station for Delhi - Mumbai line)]], [[Raja ki Mandi railway station|Raja-Ki-Mandi]], [[Agra Fort railway station|Agra Fort]](Major station for Jodhpur- Hawrah Line), [[Idgah railway station|Idgah]], [[Agra City railway station|Agra City]], Jamuna Bridge and Billochpura. Agra City comes under the jurisdiction of Agra Division of North Central Railways Zone of the Indian Railways. Agra is served by multiple mail/express trains, as well as [[Rajdhani Express|Rajdhani]], [[Shatabdi Express|Shatabdi]] and [[Gatimaan Express|Gatiman]] express.<ref>{{Cite web|title=North Central Railways / Indian Railways Portal|url=https://ncr.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,1,396,402|access-date=14 April 2021|website=ncr.indianrailways.gov.in}}</ref> The [[Gatimaan Express|Gatiman express]] is India's first semi-high train speed service, which cut travel time between Agra and Delhi to 100 minutes.<ref>{{Cite news|date=12 October 2014|title=Delhi-Agra semi-high speed train to be named Gatimaan Express|url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/delhi/delhi-agra-semi-high-speed-train-to-be-named-gatimaan-express_1483356.html|access-date=14 April 2021|work=Zee News|language=en}}</ref> Being a major tourist destination, Agra is also served by the luxury train [[Maharajas' Express]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=IRCTC Maharaja Express: Experience royalty with the Indian Panorama tour across heritage sites|url=https://scroll.in/announcements/936811/irctc-maharaja-express-experience-royalty-with-the-indian-panorama-tour-across-heritage-sites|access-date=14 April 2021|work=Scroll.in|date=10 September 2019|language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:AGRA-agra railway station BY Fateh.RawKEy.jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Agra Cantt. Railway Station]]]]

===Road===
[[File:Agra-Inner-Ring-Road02 (32944081270).jpg|thumb|Inner Ring Road link Yamuna Expressway to Lucknow expessway, Fatehabad Road, Shamshabad Road, NH-3, NH-11 Agra]]
Inter-State Bus Terminal (I.S.B.T.), [[Idgah Bus Stand]], Taj Depot and Fort Depot are the major bus stands in Agra, connecting Agra to most of the bigger cities in northern India. It is a major junction of highways with three national highways and two expressways ([[Yamuna Expressway]] & [[Agra Lucknow Expressway]]) originating from Agra.

* From [[Delhi]]: [[National Highway 19 (India)|NH 19]] (old number: NH 2), a modern divided highway, connects the {{convert|200|km|0|abbr=on}} distance from Delhi to Agra.
* From Delhi / [[Noida]]: [[Yamuna Expressway]], a modern access controlled highway connects the {{convert|200|km|0|abbr=on}} distance from Delhi to Agra.
* [[Yamuna Expressway]] (formerly Taj Expressway) is a six lane, {{convert|165|km|0|abbr=on}} long, controlled-access expressway, that connects [[New Delhi]] with Agra via [[Greater Noida]] and [[Mathura]] in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
* [[National Highway 509 (India)|NH 509]] (old number: NH 93) connects Agra to [[Moradabad]] via [[Aligarh]].
* [[Agra Lucknow Expressway]] is a six lane, {{convert|302|km|0|abbr=on}} long, controlled-access expressway, that connects [[Lucknow]] with Agra via [[Kannauj]] and [[Etawah]] in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Bus services are run by the [[Agra Municipal Corporation|UPSRTC]](<nowiki/>[http://www.upsrtc.com/). ] Other para-transit modes include rickshaws. Polluting vehicles are not allowed near the [[Taj Mahal]]. Within the city, Mahatma Gandhi Marg is the main artery.

===Agra Metro===
{{Main|Agra Metro}}
Rail India Technical and Economic Service ([[RITES]]) had proposed 30 stations, 11 underground and 19 elevated, for two corridors of the [[Rapid transit|Metro Rail]] in the city. The two lines are [[#Akbar's Tomb, Sikandra|Sikandra]] to the Taj Mahal's east gate via [[Agra Fort]] and [[Agra Cantt]] to Kalindi Vihar. On 24 March 2017, State Chief Minister Yogi Aditya Nath approved the project. In December 2017, the cabinet of the UP Government approved the DPR as per New Metro Policy. Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] laid the foundation stone of Agra Metro on 8 March 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/agra/pm-narendra-modi-will-lay-the-foundation-stone-of-agra-metro|title=कानपुर से पीएम मोदी ने किया आगरा मेट्रो का शिलान्यास, ताजनगरी में हुआ सीधा प्रसारण|website=[[Amar Ujala]]|date=8 March 2019|access-date=20 March 2019|language=hi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190309164143/https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/agra/pm-narendra-modi-will-lay-the-foundation-stone-of-agra-metro|archive-date=9 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Dr. B.R. Ambedkar university, Agra Aqib Farrukhabadi Photography-007.jpg|thumb|Agra University]]
[[File:Pc abhay.jpg|thumb|St John College]]
[[File:St. peter's college agra.jpg|thumb|St Peter's College]]
{{unreferenced section|date=April 2021}}
It was during the advent of the Mughal era that Agra grew as a centre of Islamic education. In the year 1823, Agra College, one of the oldest colleges in India was formed out of a Sanskrit school established by the Scindia rulers.
In the British era, Agra became a great centre of [[Hindi literature]] with people like Babu Gulab Rai at the helm.

===Universities and colleges===
[[File:The British College at Agra.jpg|thumb|Agra College]]
[[Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University|Agra University]] was established on 1 July 1927 and catered to colleges spread across the United Provinces, the Rajputana, the Central Provinces and almost to entire northern India. There are 10 institutes comprising various departments and around 700 Colleges are affiliated to this university. The historic Agra University was later rechristened as Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University by the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, [[Mayawati]].
{{anchor|Institute of Mental Health and Hospital, Agra}}
* [[The Institute of Mental Health and Hospital]], formerly known as Agra Lunatic Asylum, was established in September 1859 governed by the State of Uttar Pradesh. It is spread over an extensive and beautiful ground of {{convert|172.8|acres|1|abbr=on}} land and is well-known centre for the treatment, training, and research on mental disorders in Northern India. The institute was renamed as Mental Hospital, Agra in 1925. Presently all admissions and discharges are being done under the provisions of Mental Health Act, 1987.
* [[Central Institute of Hindi]], (also known as Kendriya Hindi Sansthan) is an autonomous institute under Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India engaged in teaching Hindi as a foreign and second language. Apart from running residential Hindi language courses for foreign students, the institute also conducts regular training programmes for teachers of Hindi belonging to non-Hindi states of India. The institute is situated at a {{convert|11|acre|ha}} campus on the outskirts of Agra city. Headquartered in Agra the institute has eight regional centres in Delhi, Hyderabad, Mysore, Shillong, Dimapur, Guwahati, Ahmedabad and Bhubneshwar. The institute is the only government-run institution in India established solely for research and teaching of Hindi as a foreign and second language.
* [[Sarojini Naidu Medical College]], is one of the three oldest medical colleges of India. It is located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh state. It is named after the first lady Governess of Uttar Pradesh, poet and freedom fighter, Bharat Kokila Smt. Sarojini Naidu.
* [[Agra College]], is one of the oldest institutions in India. Pandit Gangadhar Shastri, a noted Sanskrit scholar founded the college in 1823. Till 1883 the institute was a government college and after that, a Board of Trustees and a Committee of Management managed the college. Agra College produced the first graduate in Uttar Pradesh and the first Law graduate to Northern India.
* [[St. John's College, Agra]], is a college established in 1850, now part of the Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, earlier known as Agra University. It is amongst the oldest and one of the most beautiful Christian colleges in India. The college runs a study centre of [[Indira Gandhi National Open University]], a central university.
* [[Raja Balwant Singh College]], Established in 1885 owes its existence to Raja Balwant Singh Ji of Awagarh who enabled the institution to grow as one of the oldest and biggest colleges of Uttar Pradesh. Raja Balwant Singh College is located at Bichpuri, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. The college is affiliated to Uttar Pradesh Technical University, Lucknow, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Agra.
* [[Dayalbagh Educational Institute]], Radhasoami Satsang Sabha, started the Radhasoami Educational Institute, as a co-educational Middle School, open to all, on 1 January 1917. It became a Degree College in 1947, affiliated to Agra University. In 1975, it formulated a programme of undergraduate studies which received approbation from the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the University Grants Commission, as a result of which in 1981 the Ministry of Education, Government of India, conferred the status of an institution deemed to be a University on the Dayalbagh Educational Institute, to implement the new scheme.

==Media==
{{more citations needed section|date=April 2021}}
Agra is home to the ''[[Dainik Jagran]]'' newspaper, the most read Hindi newspaper in India.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IRS 2019 Q4: Dainik Jagran & Times of India top most-read Hindi and English newspaper list - Exchange4media|url=https://www.exchange4media.com/media-others-news/mruc-releases-irs-2019-q4-more-internet-users-in-rural-than-in-urban-in-last-1-month-104517.html|access-date=11 September 2020|website=Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media|language=en}}</ref> Other widely read papers include ''[[Amar Ujala]]'', ''[[Rajasthan Patrika]]'',''Aaj'', ''Hindustan'',''The Sea Express'', "daily Amar Bharti", Deepsheel Bharat, DLA. The English dailies published are ''The Times of India'', ''Hindustan Times'', ''Economic Times'', and ''The Pioneer''. The Urdy dailies published are Prabhanjan Sanket, and ''Inksaaf''. There is also the Hindi and English mixed newspaper tabloid ''I-NEXT''.
{| class="wikitable floatright"
|+Radio stations
!Frequency
!Station
|-
|90.4 MHz
|Agra ki Awaaz
|-
|90.8 MHz
|Aap ki Awaaz
|-
|93.7 MHz
|Fever FM
|-
|91.9 MHz
|Radio City
|-
|92.7 MHz
|Big 92.7 FM
|-
|94.5 MHz
|Tadka FM
|-
|105.6 MHz
|GNOU Gyan Vani
|}
State-owned [[All India Radio]] has a local station in Agra which transmits various programs of mass interest. There are four private FM radio stations, 92.7 BIG FM ([[Reliance Broadcast Network Limited]]), 93.7 Fever FM, 94.5 Tadka FM and Radio City 91.9 FM.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiocity.in/radiocity/city/agra|title=Radio City 91.1 FM Agra – Top 10 Songs of the Week|website=www.radiocity.in|access-date=11 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618224815/http://www.radiocity.in/radiocity/city/agra|archive-date=18 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> There is a community Radio Station 90.4 FM.

==Notable people==
{{See also|Akbarabadi}}{{col div|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Abdul Karim (the Munshi)]]
*[[Alok Sharma]]
*[[Amrit Lal Nagar]]
*[[Anand Swarup]]
*[[Ashi Singh]]
*[[Deepak Chahar]]
*[[Hazur Rai Saligram Bahadur]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radhasoami-faith.info/Huzur_Maharaj.shtml|title=Huzur Maharaj|website=www.radhasoami-faith.info|access-date=11 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210191325/http://www.radhasoami-faith.info/Huzur_Maharaj.shtml|archive-date=10 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Makund Behari Lal]]
*[[Mamnoon Hussain]]
*[[Mirza Ghalib]]
*[[Mir Taqi Mir]]
*[[Motilal Nehru]]
*[[Nazir Akbarabadi]]
*[[Nimmi]]
*[[Raj Babbar]]
*[[Rajendra Yadav]]
*[[Seth Achal Singh]]
*[[Shiv Dayal Singh]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radhasoami-faith.info/Soamiji_Maharaj.shtml|title=Soamiji Maharaj|website=www.radhasoami-faith.info|access-date=11 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127003052/http://www.radhasoami-faith.info/Soamiji_Maharaj.shtml|archive-date=27 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{colend}}

==Sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in India}}

Agra is [[twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
* {{flagicon|China}} [[Chengdu, Sichuan]], [[China]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/-agra-chengdu-of-china-are-now-sister-cities/articleshow/56126049.cms|title=Agra, Chengdu of China are now sister cities - Times of India|access-date=11 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825035255/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/-agra-chengdu-of-china-are-now-sister-cities/articleshow/56126049.cms|archive-date=25 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Jordan}} [[Petra]], [[Jordan]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=176911|title=List of MoUs/Agreements signed during the Visit of the King of Jordan to India (March 01, 2018)|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=11 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812021449/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=176911|archive-date=12 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tempe, Arizona]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Data Visualizations – Asia – Sister Partnerships – United States – Asia Matters for America |url=https://asiamattersforamerica.org/asia/data/sister-partnerships/united-states |website=Data Visualizations – Asia – Sister Partnerships – United States – Asia Matters for America |access-date=10 January 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Uzbekistan}} [[Samarkand]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roche |first1=Elizabeth |title=India, Uzbekistan ink agreements to bolster cooperation on defence, connectivity, science |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/a6vbmvaqdWSnSwlfZUyVjK/India-Uzbekistan-ink-agreements-to-bolster-cooperation-on-d.html |access-date=14 March 2021 |work=Mint |date=1 October 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Western Uttar Pradesh]]
* [[Agra (Graduates Constituency)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|last=Cole|first=Henry Hardy |title=Illustrations of buildings near Muttra and Agra|url=https://archive.org/stream/illustrationsbu00colegoog#page/n7/mode/1up|year=1873|publisher=India Office}}
* {{cite book|last=Agra|first=Archaeological Society of |title=Transactions of the Archaeological Society of Agra, Jan–June 1874|url=https://archive.org/stream/transactionsarc00agragoog#page/n4/mode/1up|year=1874|publisher=Delhi Gazette Press}}
* {{cite book|last=Mukerji|first=Satya Chandra|title=The Traveller's Guide to Agra|url=https://archive.org/stream/travellersguidet00mukerich#page/n7/mode/2up|year=1892|publisher=Sen & Co., Delhi}}
* {{cite book|last=Fanthome|first=Frederic|title=Reminiscences of Agra|url=https://archive.org/stream/reminiscencesag00fantgoog#page/n3/mode/1up|year=1895|publisher=Thacker, Spink & Co.}}
* {{cite book|last=Latif|first=Muḥammad|title=Agra, Historical & Descriptive|url=https://archive.org/stream/agrahistoricald00latgoog#page/n9/mode/1up|year=1896|publisher=Calcutta Central Press}}
* {{cite book|last= Keene|first=Henry George|author-link=Henry George Keene (1826–1915)|title=A Handbook for Visitors to Agra and Its Neighbourhood|url=https://archive.org/stream/ahandbookforvis00keengoog#page/n8/mode/1up|date=1899|edition=Sixth|publisher=Thacker, Spink & Co.}}
* {{cite book|last=Smith|first=Edmund W. |title=Moghul Colour Decoration of Agra, Part I|url=https://archive.org/stream/moghulcolourdec00smitgoog#page/n7/mode/1up|year=1901|publisher=Govt. Press, Allahabad}}
* {{cite book|last=Havell|first=Ernest Binfield|author-link=Ernest Binfield Havell|title=A Handbook to Agra and the Taj, Sikandra, Fatehpur-Sikri, and the Neighbourhood|year=1904|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00artlinks/agra_havell/index.html|publisher= Longmans, Green & Co., London}}
* ''Agranama: The authentic book about the history of Agra'' by Mr. Satish Chandra Chaturvedi
* Ashirbadi Lal Srivastava, History and Culture of Agra (Souvenir), 1956

==External links==
* {{URL|agra.nic.in/|Official website of Agra district}}
* {{curlie|Regional/Asia/India/Uttar_Pradesh/Districts/Agra}}
* {{URL|digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/cdm/search/collection/ic/searchterm/R%20Nath!Agra/field/creato!covera/mode/all!all/conn/and!and/order/title R. Nath Mughal Architecture Image Collection, images of Agra|University of Washington digital collections}}
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[[Category:Agra| ]]
[[Category:Metropolitan cities in India]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Agra district]]
[[Category:Former capital cities in India]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1504]]
[[Category:Tourism in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Cities in Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Agra district]]

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