Agra Fort - Shopping

Crossing the moat into the fort.
I always run into my relatives when I travel.
The open area where the King resolved the differences of his subjects
The inner courtyard with the Mosque in the background
Looking out from the airing of grievances area

The inner mosque where the King is said to have stopped on the steep steps to face Mecca to pray, slipped, fell and ultimately died as a result of his injuries.
A deserved rest with the Taj in view across the river.

Shah Jahan's house arrest view.
Red stone and more marble

A pool used by the harem girls

Some of the detail work.

The all seeing monkey.
Back in traffic.

After our early morning visit to the Taj we headed back to the hotel for breakfast. As we were getting off the trishaw and back into the car we came across a couple of camels. They were big, handsome and a little scary.

After a pretty average breakfast we reconnected with Bobby and went to the fort. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agra_Fort I have a basic handle on the history, but leave you to do your own research. Suffice it to say that the fort was built by on of the sons (Aurangzeb) of the Mughal King who built the Taj (Shah Jahan). This ungrateful child had two of his brothers killed and placed his old pop in kind of a house arrest to gain the throne. He had the fort built across the river from the Taj. On the grounds are nice palaces for each of his wives and one place for his dad. There are also other buildings and some housing for the harem and other workers on the estate. It is very lovely to see and in pretty good shape. I guess nasty Aurangzeb had a bit of a heart as his Dad's plush prison has very nice views of the Taj Mahal.

After the fort we stopped at two places to see craftsmen at work and to be enticed to make a large purchase. First were the carpet makers. It was interesting to see how hard it is to make a handmade India rug. Each thread and knot are tied individually and depending on the thread count, pattern and size a rug can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to make. We saw some in progress and many many more ready to buy. From little bath mat sizes to huge room sizes and from wool to fine silk. It was interesting but luckily, for our wallet, we live in Singapore in a house with no real consistent air con. any rug we would bring here would stand a good chance of getting ruined but the heat, humidity and sun. Sophia did make a small contribution to the SPCA at the rug place and laughed after being told that the Agra SPCA in Agra is 100% dedicated to helping cows.

We moved on one of the places where artisans made inlay item in the style of the Taj Mahal. Using fine marble and semi precious stones stone artists trace a pattern, cut into the marble, forge perfect puzzle pieces from stones of jade, onyx, marble, tiger eye and more to make beautiful plates, tables and other items. http://www.craftandartisans.com/marble-inlay-of-uttar-pradesh.htmlWe did fire up the big bucks for a pair of small tables which we are hoping to see at our door in a couple of months. I need not mention that stone should hold up pretty well in the Singapore climate.

Another long, but very exciting, day.