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Agra came into the picture for the first time, when ruler Sikandar Lodi of Delhi decided to change his capital from Delhi to Agra in the 16th Century. Agra witnessed a few developments during the Mughal rule, but large scale development accelerated during the ruling period of Akbar and Shah Jahan.
During the Mughal rule in India, Agra remained the capital for Mughal emperors. Akbar was one of the most powerful Mughal emperors who built a number of monuments like Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri in and around Agra. However Shah Jahan, the second last Mughal emperor who ruled for thirty years from 1628 to 1658 gave the most prestigious gift to Agra tourism- the Taj Mahal - the Taj Mahal. This magnificent monument is made up of white marbles . It was built by 20,000 workers in 20 years. Today, these monuments reflect the rich heritage of India.
Traditional fairs and exhibitions along with the modern markets make Agra tourism a magnificent place for shopping. Sadar Bazaar and Taj Ganj area inundated with shops and emporiums. Shilpgram (craft village) is situated 1 km from the Taj Mahal, providing good quality local handicrafts. One can easily find the minuscule replica of Taj Mahal in these places, which help you to conserve charming reminiscences of the tour. 
Fairs and festivals in this part of the country create magic as festivals bring a matchless combination of jovial atmosphere with mellifluous music and traditional dance. Taj Mahotsav is one of the most famous festivals, comes in the month of February. Tourists are recommended to plan their visit in this month in order to avail full enjoyment. These festivals strengthen Indian traditions and culture and bring unity among Indians. Men wearing kurta-payjama and women clad with traditional sarees often seen on the roads of the city.
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