India Day 7

Our destination today is to travel to the ancient city of Agra which will take us about 7 hours.  Before leaving Jaipur, we stopped at a Fast Food Sweet Shop.  It is the equivalent of a Tim Horton's except it is just sweets.  They specialize in "jalepies" and they wrap some sweets in silver and gold leaf which is eaten along with the cakes.  Many Indians eat sweets like this for breakfast on their way to work.
As we traveled along the highway to Agra, our guide talked with us about marriages, beggars, and the Indian economy.  We learned much but here are 3 highlights ... 1.  They are pre arranged favouring men.  2.  Beggars are mainly illegal immigrants from Bangledesh  3.  Indians are a "saved" economy and they believe that they should be buying gold and property to get rich.
The main attraction on our way to Agra is "Fatchpur Sikri", the deserted city, built by Mughal emperor Akbar the Great in 1569.  He married three times in order to father a male child.  He was very liberal in his outlook on life but not too educated.  His three wives were Hindu, Muslim, and Christian.  Each wife had her own special apartment palace within his fort complex.  The entire deserted city was made from stone and marble.  Fatchpur Sikri included many palaces, temples, treasury, a mosque, and open courtyards.  The Hindu/ Mughal architecture was predominant but there was even a 5 level building constructed in Pagoda architecture style.  The place was grand and awe inspiring.  Akbar the Great also had 500 concubines.
We finally arrived in Agra, home of the world famous Taj Mahal, are 8 p.m. just in time for dinner.

This building was at Fatchpur Sikri and was used by the emperor to discuss religion.  It was special because those who were inside with Akbar the Great sat off the ground.  Ask us about that sometime.  It was amazing!