Uttar Pradesh in northern India is a state with the highest population.
The capital city is Lucknow. The main Language spoken here is Hindi.
It is one of the great historical and religious centers of India. The
Ganges river, which is the backbone of Uttar Pradesh, is sacred for the
Hindus, the main population in this state.Along the river are places
of pilgrimage which are of great importance. Most of the state consists of the vast Ganges plain, which is prone to destructive floods in monsoon. The north-west region of the state is part of the Himalayas, with beautiful scenary and some of India's highest mountains. The main crops grown here are, paddy,wheat,barley,bafra,cotton,oilseeds, groundnut,sugarcane and tea. It is famous for handicrafts and bidriware. Lucknow is the Capital city of Utter Pradesh. The historic monuments are in the north-eastern part of the old city around the Chowk area. While Aminabad is the shopping center Hazratganj is the fashioanable area. The great Imambara was built in 1784 by Asaf-ud-Daula. It has a central hall which is 50 metres long and 15 metres high and is one of the largest vaulted galleries in the world. Beneath it are many underground passages which are now blocked up. The upper floor known as the Bhuylbhulaiya is a labyrinth. From the top one can take a fine view of the city.
Over 20,000 people were recruited for work on this monument not only from all over India, but also from central Asia. Experts were even brought from Europe. The main architect was Isa Khan.Shah Jahan was deposed by his son Aurangzeb and had to spend his last days at the Agra fort overlooking the Taj, the final resting place of his favourite wife. The Taj Mahal stands on a raised marble platform with tall white minarets at each corner of the platform. The central structure has four small domes surrounding the huge central dome. The tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are in a basement room. Light is let into the central chamber reflected through finely cut marble screens. The echo in this high chamber under the marble dome is superb. In the close up detail which is astounding one can see that semi-precious stones are in-laid into the marble in beautiful patterns and with great craftsmanship. A thing of beauty, it is a joy for ever indeed. Taj Mahal looks differant in different shades of light. In the morning it is different looking than it is before the sunset. Its appearence changes with the sun light. The Taj is beautiful in the lake in front of it. Other important places to visit: Fatehpur Sikri, Aligaarh, Allahabad.
Speciality: Leather goods, jewellery, marble items etc.
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Agra was the capital of India during the time of Mughuls in the 16th
and 17th centuries. Situated on the west bank of the yamuna river,
Agra has superb monuments left behind by Moghul rulers. The Taj Mahal
and the magnificent fort are testimony to this.Taj Mahal is the most
famous of the Moghul monuments constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in
memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. it has been described as the most
extravagant monument ever built for love.The emperor who was heart
broken when his wife died during childbirth in 1629 after having
been married to him for 17 years started construction of the Taj , as
a memorial to his love for her, in 1632 and the work was completed in
1653.