Uttar Pradesh

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of India under the Mughals and there are wonderful monuments from this era.

Badah Singh founded the fort on it's present day site in 1475. Babur defeated the last Lodi sultan in 1526 at panipat and thus became the Mughal capital. It was during the mid 16th and 17th centuries that the magnificent Taj Mahal was built. In 1761 Agra fell to the Jats and during this time monuments including the Taj Mahal were looted.

Agra is now developed itself into an industrial centre.

Dont's:
When visiting mosques or temples shorts or sleeveless tops are not to be worn. Smoking and the holding of hands, the touching of carvings or statues and the touching of someone's head is not permitted. Removal of shoes prior to entry. These apply to both men and women. In some mosques you will be required to cover your head.

Never point the soles of your feet to another person or statue.

The right hand should be used for all occassions. The left is considered dirty.

When swimming nudity is not allowed, even in remote areas. Women should wear a sarong if they are in public view.

Some animals are considered sacred, please check with local authorities.

Extreme climate, warm inland from April to mid-June falling to almost freezing at night in winter, between November and February. Summers are hot with monsoons between June and September. The climate is pleasant between October and March, blast-furnace hot between April and June, and dripping with humidity between July and September.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens in summer with warmer clothes in winter and on cooler evenings. Waterproofing is essential during monsoons. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer between June and September.