My name is Teressa and I was travelling first time to India from New Jersey , Usa. My whole idea was to get the best of Tajmahal tour. My brother last year travelled with Indiahistoricaltours.com on the tour called “Culture of Ladakh with Meditation teacher” so he suggested me the name of Akash. On my first what’s app call to him everything was clear. about this same agra tour. He is so knowledgable about india destinations that he suggested me to do Tajmahal with Historian in Agra and he will arrange local guides in Delhi trip , Jaipur trip and other cities.
This one suggestion of Akash gave me my best memory. I started my Tajmahal tour at 9 am. I met Sandeep in the lobby. He was my Tajmahal historian. He was very polite and patient. I could understand his every single word properly. His voice was sweet & melodious. We settle down in the lobby and he explained me what are we going to in this same day Tajmahal tour and how, what to expect and what to bring. An awesome luxury Innova car with private chauffeur was waiting for me.
First we headed towards Baby Tajmahal from where King Shahjahan got inspired to make Tajmahal. Many historians believe that he stole the idea of making Tajmahal for Queen Mumtaz mahal from here. Sandeep and I did discussions on this possibility deeply over here. We saw secret map of the Agra to find out what was happening in the history during 16th & 17th century. We also did cool photography at this monument which was empty and peaceful. Sandeep knows all secret of the iPhone to do your professional photoshoot. Those are the best shots on this agra trip I have ever got. I thought I am paying only for the history lessons but Sandeep comes with many hats.
Our next goal was to experience & feel that how Mughal Kings lived, what was their lifestyle, what was happening in Mughal Haram, where the king Shahjahan & Queen Mumtaz mahal met each other first time , how did he died and what was happening in Mughal India ? Palaces in Agra fort are huge and beautiful. Sandeep explained me about pin hole architecture , arch invention, Cupolas, window designs, Carpets & Gemstones history.
It is same place where first British ambassador Captain Hawkins & later Official ambassador Thomas row met Mughal King Jahangir at Hall of public audience. The palace of Queen Mumtaz mahal was beautifully decorated with semi precious stones. Sandeep took me closure and counted the each petal of the flower. Each semi precious stone was imported from different cities & countries. The shopping complex of the fort is still well preserved and the arches & the kiosk where king had his throne is still approachable. Sandeep did a fantastic video shoot for me over here. I just felt like mumtaj who is walking and dancing in these arches & galleries once again.
After Agra fort we went for local heritage walk of Old Agra and I tsated best street food along with locals on food walk & heritage walk.
Finally we reached at Tajmahal.
I will write more later in detail about my local heritage walk, food walk and Tajmahal experience.
