AGRA

city, west-central Uttar Pradesh state, north-central India, on the Yamuna (Jumna) River. Founded by Sikandar Lodi in the early 16th century, it was the Mughal capital during some periods of their empire. In the late 18th century the city fell successively to the Jats, the Marathas, the Mughals, and the ruler of Gwalior and, finally, to the British in 1803. It was the capital of Agra (later North-Western) province from 1833 to 1868. Agra is best known as the site of the Taj Mahal (17th century). Other monuments include a 16th-century fort built by the emperor Akbar that contains the 17th-century Pearl Mosque (Moti Masjid), constructed of white marble, and a palace, the Jahangiri Mahal. Also in Agra are the Jami' Masjid, or Great Mosque, and an elegant tomb noted for its architectural style. To the northwest, at Sikandra, is the tomb of Akbar. Agra is a major road and rail junction and a commercial and industrial centre. Agra University (1927) and six of its affiliated colleges are located in the city; the state mental hospital and Dayalbagh, a colony of the Radha Soami sect, are in the suburbs. The region around Agra consists almost entirely of a level plain, with hills in the extreme southwest. The region is watered by the Yamuna River and the Agra Canal; millet, barley, wheat, and cotton are among the crops grown. The deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri is 23 miles (37 km) southwest of Agra city. Pop. (1981) city, 694,191; metropolitan area, 747,318.