Overall Score
Ara – a large city in the State of Outer Potrar Pradesh, a major transportation hub and one of the worlds foremost tourist sites. It is located in the fertile Hungarian plain of the Jhumna River.
Compared to many cities in India, Agra is – a relatively young city. Founded in the 15th century, Agra was conquered in 1526 by Babar, the founder of the Great Maul empire. The city was an important trade route for India, and not least of all, it was the reason why in 1528 Barbour made Agra the capital of his state. The city began a period of prosperity that lasted for more than a century. This period includes the most important architectural monuments of Agora. In 1658 the emperor Auraíngzáb moved the capital of the city to Auraíngabád, and a period of decline and fall began for Auraíngzáb. The city was attacked alternately by the Jatas, the Afghans, and the Marathas in 1784. In 1803, the English protectorate was established in the region, and Agra gradually transformed into an important commercial and industrial center. The city and its surroundings contain three masterpieces of international art that are part of the World Heritage Site of UNESCO.
The most important site of Agra and the symbol of all India is the Taj Mahal. This memorial mausoleum was built in 1630-52 by 22,000 workers and was intended as a tomb for Mumtaz Makhakhal, the wife of Emperor Shah Jahan, who was also later buried there. Less famous, but no less significant, is the monumental Red Fort (1571) – a former site of the Mughal emperors that still retains its military significance today. Forty kilometers away from Agoura is the City of Victory of Atatechpyur-Sekri, which for some time served as a government office, but then was abandoned. It preserved its ceremonial buildings, palaces, dormitories and chapels.
The significant monuments of importance are represented by little Tadajem, or Yitimada-ud-Daulaul mausoleum (1628), the Black Mothers Mosque, the sepulchre of Ackbar the Great (1613), the Drama mosque.
Overall Score
- Air quality: 119 US AQI Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.
- Tap water: No, not drinkable
- Religious government: Religious
- Population: 1,300,000 people
- GDP: $1,706 / year
- Foreigners can own real estate: Yes
- Power outlets: 230V50Hz
- Internet: 8 Mbps
- Best wireless: AirTel
- Pay without cash: No, cash only esp. for foreigners
- Tipping: At restaurants, you should tip 10 percent for standard service. If someone really went out of their way and the service was exceptional, you can tip up to 15 percent. If the bill is quite high, like over 1,000 rupees, you can tip a little less.
- Apartment listings: 99Acres
- Apartments: Airbnb
- Hotels: Booking.com
- More hotels: Hotels.com
- Best taxi: Ola
- Online electronics shop: Amazon
- Best hospital: Rainbow Hospital
- Best short-haul air carrier: Indigo
- Best intl air carrier: Jet Airways
- Monthly costs for expat: $500
- Monthly costs for family: $850
- Monthly costs for local: $240
- Meal: $3.5
- Small Cola: $0.3
- Beer 1 Pint: $1.5
- Coffee: $1.4
View Larger Map