Agra – A Graphic Guide

Agra – A Graphic Guide

(Pages : 63; Hand drawn illustrations : 100; Hand drawn maps : 5)

This guide book introduces the history of city of Agra in a graphic format. It guides the reader from the time it finds earliest mention in famous epic Mahabharata and later after it was taken by Mughal Emperor Babur. The book puts the historic city of Taj Mahal in its geographic context. The illustrations walk the reader through the monuments of Fatehpur Sikri viz Buland Darwaza, Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti, Imperial Complex comprising Jodhbai’s Palace, Panch Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, Pachhisi Court, etc. Then it goes to Akbar’s Tomb, Itmaduddaula’s Mausoleum, Agra Fort and through its history along with stories that surround its buildings. After that the reader reaches Taj Mahal. The book takes a pictorial tour of the building of Taj from the time of death of Mumtaz Mahal in Burhanpur through the building of Taj Mahal by Shah Jahan. The symmetry of Taj is closely followed taking into account the features of its pietra dura, craftsmanship, calligraphy, materials used, architectural features etc with the myths attached to Taj. The book then closes as it finds little to talk about after Taj Mahal. It follows the intuitive guide format and would interest both young and senior audience.

A word about Graphic Guides –

Graphic Guides are a must read for any one visiting India or wanting to go back in time when Emperors and Kings would take processions of elephants, finest horses, infantry amid the beat of drums and roar of trumpets through the streets of cities of Delhi, Agra or Jaipur or take to battle fields with all splendour and glory. These guides take you through…..

….the cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur in a hand drawn graphic format designed and narrated intuitively keeping in view armchair travelers, tourists, back packers, students and young audience;

….text is short and simple with a view to having an audience with very little time for going through these cities;

….with 60 to 64 printed pages (Jaipur has 53 pages), the books are light, handy and in easy-to-read;

….at the end of each book are short glossaries of words and terms used.

….the books bring out everything what one would like to know about Delhi, Agra and Jaipur in one sitting, say, on a short flight or a train journey or in bed just before retiring at night or on board Palace on Wheels or Royal Rajasthan or The Maharaja Express trains; on Tabs and i-Pads or inflight entertainment systems of flights in and out of India……

……Go ahead and explore…..