Modern Facts about Agra
• After Delhi Agra is the only city in north India where more than 10 Five Star Hotels are running ( and yes they are earning a great profit)
• The pioneer of outsourcing in India and co-founder of Patni Computer Systems, Mr Narendra Patni was born in Agra.
• Motilal Nehru (6 May 1861 - 6 February 1931) ,born in Agra, was the president of Indian National Congress twice. He was a leading lawyer and a freedom fighter . Gave birth to the famous Nehru-Gandhi dynasty which saw 3 prime ministers of India.
• St. John’s College is almost 165 years old which is unique about this city.
Famous Agra University Alumni
• India’s current National Security Advisor (NSA) Mr Ajit Doval graduated with a master’s degree in Economics from Agra
Charan Singh aka Chaudhary Charan Singh was the sixth Prime Minister of the Republic of India,
• Agra is a largest shoes manufactuing hub in India and second largest exporter of shoes in the world after China.
• Agra is the second most self employed city after Varanasi in India.
• Kheria Airforce station is amongst the major Air defence stations in India.
- The Wildlife SOS Agra is the largest Sloth Bear Rescue Facility in the world.
All over the India, Agra is the first city to have Express Highway i.e. Yamuna Expressway. and the longest express way i.e. Agra- Lucknow Expressway.
Historical Facts
The Mughals captured legendary Shivaji Maharaja and kept him behind the bars in this mighty Fort. In addition to this, Shivaji Maharaj successfully managed to escape within the nose of enemies from this fort. Skilled sculptors have constructed a grand statue outside this fort to tout his mastermind strategy and execution of his plan.
• Agra remained the power center and capital of Mughal empire for most of it’s glorious period. Rajput Princess Heer Kunwari, commonly known and revered as Jodha Bai shifted to Agra from Jaipur after her marriage.
• Agra is linked to the Chauhan clan of the Hindu Rajputs.
• Agra has markets which are centuries old. People looking for some history visits this place.
• When Agra was the capital of India it had a GDP 4 times that of London.
• Petha is a famous, soft, translucent and sweet candy is originated in this city.
• One of the highly revered and historical Sikh pilgrimage site, Guru Ka Taal Gurudwara is situated in Agra. It is situated near a reservoir (taal) where the ninth Sikh Guru Sri Teg Bahadur offered voluntary arrest to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
- The famous 15th century poet Surdas was born in Agra
• The Famous Urdu poet Mirza Asadullah Beg Khan was born in Agra. He was also known as Mirza Ghalib.
- The RadhaSoami Satsang movement started in Agra in 1861and spread to the other parts of the wold. Later, it got divided into Hazuri Bhawan Lineage and Beas Lineage. Pictured below is the DAYALBAGH temple - the headquarter of Hazuri Bhawan Lineage.
• Agra is the only Indian city withthree UNESCO world heritage sites: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.
Taj mahal
Agra Fort
Fatehpur Sikri