Historical places have special attraction for mankind, for they teach us while they amuse us. They put before us a past glory and an artistic sense.

In India there are several cities, famous for historic buildings. Agra is at the top. It is famous for the Taj Mahal. I am very fond of visiting historical buildings. We four friends decided to visit the Taj at Agra. We hired a jeep and reached the station. The train was to leave at 8 a.m.

There was a great rush on the platform. Vendors were selling hot tea, biscuits, betel and sweets. Everybody was talking and laughing. Just then the bell rang and the train steamed in. All the compartments were packed. Somehow we got good seats. After ten minutes the train started. On the way we saw green fields, forests, trees and cattle. At about 10 a.m. our train reached Raja Ki Mandi station.

We reached the Taj Mahal by city bus. There we purchased tickets and entered through the main gate. On entering we found two lawns. In between there was a long passage. We crossed the passage and reached the white marble tomb. The Taj Mahal is one of the wonders of the world. It stands on the right bank of the river Jamuna. It was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The entire building is built of white marble. The Taj stands on a raised platform. On its four sides there are four lofty minarets. On the gate of the main building the verses from the holy Koran are engraved.

Inside the tomb there are four graves – two in the upper storey and two in the lower one. The graves in the lower storey are real. There are two mosques in the east and the west of the main tomb. The Taj looks beautiful in the moonlight. It has been rightly described as a ‘Dream in Marble’. People from far and near come to see this most beautiful building.

After spending five hours there, we returned by a bus. I was not satisfied with the short visit. I wished to see it again. Visits to historical buildings are very useful. Whenever we get a chance we must visit them. We are proud of our historical buildings, specially the Taj.