Jan 28 in Orccha, after the Taj Mahal

January 28^th in Orccha or Orchha

Jan 27^th in Agra.  Agra Fort begun in 1565 by the third Moghul King Akbar – red sandstone over brick core and the occasional palace of marble by Shah Jahan. Two moats – first with crocodiles, second with tigers….and entry ramped for rolling boulders and dropping boiling oil at attackers. On to Baby Taj, (built 1622-1628) a  gorgeous memorial to father of queen (who kept her husband drunk because he killed her first husband and forced her to marry him so 59 glasses of wine/day kept him in order.)  This was the first example of inlaid marble in India – appears to have come from Italy through Persia.

Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan (1631 to 1653) as a tomb for his wife….who died bearing their fourteenth child.  This along with 400 concubines kept him busy!  The Taj floats serenely in beautiful gardens and ponds, and truly lives up to its international icon status. 

 Today, 28^th, after train from Agra to Jhansi, then van to Orccha, we’re set up in a Swiss tent (really!) in a small village of 7000, beautiful rocky river and monuments/tombs. 

Agra fort exterior

Agra fort moat

Palace at Agra fort sweeper

Baby Taj

Baby Taj

Taj Mahal

View from back of Taj Mahal

From train

Jhansi station

Orccha tombs