It only took 6 years and was the first use of white marble and precious stone inlay. It's actually a tomb to honor Mughal Akbar's finance minister built by his daughter after she married Akbar's son when he was ruler. It has more carving and fresco paintings and less stone inlay but it's the precursor to the Taj. It's all quite impressive!
Tombs and inlay everywhere:
Next stop was a family co-op sales office for the craftsmen who carry on the trade to inlay the jewels. The stones are shaped to form the flower or bird with every color an individual piece - one lotus pedal had 64 individual pieces. Next the object is placed on the marble and each piece is traced on the surface to be chiseled out; then all the pieces are glued into the marble using the secret 500 year old formula of resin that was used on the Taj. When all the pieces are set, the item is polished to a glass like smoothness. Very beautiful and pricey!
The next stop was another World Heritage site, called the abandoned city. Akbar in 1570 had no heir so he went 20 miles to see a holy man who was called a saint. One year later he had 3 sons by his 3 wives. To honor him, he moved his Capitol and built a new town from scratch. Larger than London of that day, had a water collection and distribution system that gained it World Heritage status along with an entry gate that is the highest in all of Asia. Turns out there was not enough water in the region to support the new town and the saint told him to move his Capitol back to Agra 15 years later. That's why it's called the Abandoned or Forgotten City, and that's why it is in spectacular condition.
The next stop was another World Heritage site, called the abandoned city. Akbar in 1570 had no heir so he went 20 miles to see a holy man who was called a saint. One year later he had 3 sons by his 3 wives. To honor him, he moved his Capitol and built a new town from scratch. Larger than London of that day, had a water collection and distribution system that gained it World Heritage status along with an entry gate that is the highest in all of Asia. Turns out there was not enough water in the region to support the new town and the saint told him to move his Capitol back to Agra 15 years later. That's why it's called the Abandoned or Forgotten City, and that's why it is in spectacular condition.
Gate door with used horseshoes from the time of building the palace:
Forbidden City gate, tallest in Asia:
Favorite queen’s summer bedroom, faces the lake for cool breezes:
That is a king size bed!
Mosque copied from Mecca:
The drive today was notable for its differences. Leaving Agra, a city of 3.5 million had all the same stuff that we experienced yesterday but added a herd of water buffalo wandering in the street with all the vehicles plus camels pulling carts.
15 to 20 of these guys roaming the main road!
Still a few more to maneuver around:
This is where they are trying to end up for their daily bath:
I love the gate door with all the horse shoes. It's amazing to see something that really has changed very little over all the centuries.
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