Taj Mahal

Apparently sunrise is the best time to go the see the Taj Mahal; it's less busy and simply beautiful. So that means an early start, we left our hotel at 5:30 a bit bleary eyed but excited about our very touristy day. It's hard to believe you are actually there when you are looking at it. You have seen so many pictures of it but I'm not sure I ever thought I would actually ever come and see it. The amount of work put into building it, I think is the most amazing thing about it. Simply moving that much marble in the 17th century seems impossible. Not knowing much about or really even having heard of the Mughal Empire, they are such an influential part of Indian history and World history. The amount we are learning on this trip is brilliant, it makes me remember why I loved history so much. It is hard to believe that someone would create such a piece of architectural splendour as a mausoleum, you can only imagine what their palaces looked like back then.

Baby Taj

We also visited the Baby Taj, built before the Taj Mahal and also as a mausoleum, it was the first Mughal building to be built the white marble made so famous by the Taj Mahal. It is much smaller but also very beautiful.

Agra Fort

Agra Fort was taken over by the Mughals and parts rebuilt to suit their taste. The leader of the Mughals at the time was Akbar the Great, the grandfather of Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal, and he like red sandstone. Which is why the fort of mostly red, but with some white marble later added by his Grandson. The fort became more of a royal estate than a defence structure. Akbar during his life time had at least 30 wives and 500 concubines many living with him at the fort. The concubines were essentially kidnapped from their families to be at the service of the king, and were never released. Those who were young and beautiful lived relatively well until they were old and then pretty much left until they died. Others would service the Queens, others were shared amongst the army as prizes and rewards. It was not a life anyone would choose but when the king asks, you cannot refuse. Agra Fort was also later used to imprision Shah Jahan by his own son, in a room where he could over look his beloved Taj Mahal. It was the only request of his son, that he could have this view.

Family Dinner

This was a very special event indeed, we were taken by our guide to her friend's house for dinner, to experience what Indian living is like. We were greeted by a pattern made from flower petals on the floor and as we walked in more petals were thrown down from the window. Then we sat around and talked a bit with our host about her life and ate some Indian starters. The family then took the girls to dress in saris and the boys in men's outfits and turbans. The saris were all so beautiful and we really felt very honoured to have been welcomed by their family and to get the chance to see how they live. Saris are worn by any girls but usually worn by married women, in some places once you are married you can only wear saris. While you are unmarried you can wear, within reason, what you like. The dinner they had made was amazing, quite spicy; there was lots of running noses and watery eyes. After food they sung songs and danced for us before trying to teach us some moves. The evening ended with a session of henna painting. It was so wonderful to get the opportunity to see this part of someone's life, especially someone who is so different from our own. For women who live here, their only aim and purpose in life is to get married and have children. There are very few unmarried women.