The Taj Mahal in itself an encyclopedia of architecture and there are scores of worth visit monuments and top sights around the Taj Mahal such as Agra Fort, Itmad-Ud-Daula Tomb, Mehtab Bagh, Hathi Khana, Ram Bagh etc. Read about some monuments which are very close to the Taj Mahal complex. These monuments which you visit in Taj Mahal tour package include the tombs of other wives of Shahjahan and of other important ladies of the Harem. These are worth visit Monuments but they are eclipsed under the beaty of the Taj Mahal.
Sirhindi Begum was the third wife of Shahjahan and was conferred with the title as Akabarabadi Mahal. She made a famous mosque in Delhi known as Akabarabadi mosque Izz-un-Nissa was the Grand Daughter of Abdul Rahim khan khama her father shahnawaz khan was a confident of Shahjahan and Shahjahan after his conquest of Deccan recommended his father Jahangeer to appoint Shahnawaz as the commander of southern area. He married Izz-Ul-Nissa in 1619 and had a son sultan Jahan Afraz who died in 1621 as an infant during the house arrest period of Shahjahan lady served her husband. She died 12 years the death of Shahjahan in 1078 in Agra.
Sirhindi begum’s tomb lies on the east gate of the Taj Mahal complex without any water body. This tomb has a mosque facing the tomb. The main tomb is octagonal with 24 inches a big hall and a verandah.
The family of Kandhari Begum hailed from Iran. Her father Muzaffar Hussain Mirza was in the service of safavids. Later on Akabar seized kandhari and this family came to Agra. Akbar gave a mansav of 5000 to muzaffar. Shahjahan as prince khurram entered in first matrimony with kandhari Begum at 18 years of age in 1609. Kandhari gave birth to a child on 1611 and this girl was named as Parvez Banu. Akbar’s wife Ruqaiya begum took care of this child. Kandhari died in 1650. Kandhari had a grand palace at khandari Agra which is known as Bharatpur palace. After her death Shahjahan built a tomb near Taj Mahal close to kali masjid on cat mosque. This famous place can be visited in your Taj Mahal TourIt is considered she loved cats. Still you can see lots of cats wandering around.
This tomb lies on the west gate of the Taj Mahal and you can visit it easily in your Agra Sightseeing. This is having modest architecture and so far less frequented by the tourists. As you enter the Taj Mahal through the western gate you happened to see the cells built outside the gate. Right on top you see the tomb of Fatehpuri begum. There is a mosque also on the western gate called fatehpuri mosque. This mosque is operational for prayers. This is made out of red sandstone with four minarets. This fatehpuri mosque is quiet similar in design to the fatehpuri mosque in Delhi, chandni chowk. This was also built by Fatehpuri begum while Shahjahan founded Shahjahanabad.
Sati un –Nissa or Sati ul Nissa was a great scholar and lady in waiting to Mumtaz Mahal. She was born on Ma Zardaran area of Iran on a renowned physician family. She was born in 1581 and along with her brother as poet launcte.
After her husband’s death she joined the service of lady mumtaz and became a chosen one of the lady with her vast knowledge of medicine and harem manver. She was given the title as Muhardar the braver of the royal sea. She on pated education to Jahanara and Gauhar Ara. She always followed Lady mumtaz. Shahjahan appointed her as the chief of departments of gratuities and grants. It was she who was with Mumtaz at the time of her demise and she brought the body of Mumtaz from Burhanpur to Agra.
This lady had adopted two first daughters of her brother and as the younger passed away it broke her heart. She was already grof stricken on the loss of her mistress Mumtaj Mahal. She died in 1647 at Lahore and Shahjahan due to her services rendered to the lady and harem ordered for the construction of a tomb close to the Taj Mahal campus. Thus she an rest with her mistress eternally.
