Introduction
Agra, situated on the banks of the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh, is one of India’s most famous heritage cities. Its earliest reference is found in the Mahabharata, where it was called Agravana, meaning “the border of the forest.” During the Mughal period, Agra rose to prominence as a capital city and a center of art, culture, and architecture.
In 1504, Sultan Sikandar Lodi made Agra his capital, and later it flourished under the Mughals – especially under emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan. The city became globally famous for its magnificent monuments, especially the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Today, Agra is not only a UNESCO World Heritage hub (Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri) but also a major tourism, handicraft, leather, and sweet (Petha) industry center.
A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
History & Heritage
-
Agra was referred to as Agravana in which ancient text?
a) Ramayana
b) Mahabharata ✅
c) Arthashastra
d) Rigveda -
Who founded the modern city of Agra in 1504 CE?
a) Babur
b) Sikandar Lodi ✅
c) Akbar
d) Sher Shah Suri -
Who shifted the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi?
a) Akbar
b) Shah Jahan ✅
c) Aurangzeb
d) Jahangir -
Which Mughal emperor built the Taj Mahal in Agra?
a) Akbar
b) Jahangir
c) Shah Jahan ✅
d) Aurangzeb -
The Agra Fort was built by:
a) Akbar ✅
b) Shah Jahan
c) Humayun
d) Babar -
Fatehpur Sikri, near Agra, was founded by which emperor?
a) Babur
b) Akbar ✅
c) Jahangir
d) Aurangzeb -
The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, called the “Baby Taj,” was built by:
a) Nur Jahan ✅
b) Mumtaz Mahal
c) Shah Jahan
d) Jahanara Begum -
Which ruler defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the Battle of Panipat (1526) and captured Agra?
a) Sher Shah Suri
b) Babur ✅
c) Humayun
d) Akbar -
In which year did UNESCO declare the Taj Mahal a World Heritage Site?
a) 1970
b) 1983 ✅
c) 1990
d) 2001 -
The famous Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri was built to commemorate Akbar’s victory over:
a) Bengal
b) Gujarat ✅
c) Malwa
d) Rajputs
Geography & Culture
-
Agra is located on the banks of which river?
a) Ganga
b) Yamuna ✅
c) Chambal
d) Gomti -
Which sweet is Agra most famous for?
a) Rasgulla
b) Petha ✅
c) Jalebi
d) Gulab Jamun -
The Mehtab Bagh in Agra is located opposite to:
a) Agra Fort
b) Taj Mahal ✅
c) Sikandra Fort
d) Jama Masjid -
The Jama Masjid in Agra was built by:
a) Babur
b) Akbar
c) Shah Jahan ✅
d) Aurangzeb -
Which famous saint’s dargah is in Fatehpur Sikri?
a) Moinuddin Chishti
b) Salim Chishti ✅
c) Nizamuddin Auliya
d) Qutubuddin Bakhtiar Kaki
Present & Economy
-
Agra is world-famous for which leather product industry?
a) Bags
b) Footwear ✅
c) Jackets
d) Belts -
Which major expressway connects Agra to Lucknow?
a) Delhi-Meerut Expressway
b) Yamuna Expressway
c) Agra–Lucknow Expressway ✅
d) Eastern Peripheral Expressway -
Which industry, apart from tourism, contributes majorly to Agra’s economy?
a) Automobile
b) Leather ✅
c) IT
d) Shipping -
Which festival is celebrated with grandeur near the Taj Mahal every year?
a) Taj Mahotsav ✅
b) Diwali Mahotsav
c) Ganga Mahotsav
d) Petha Mahotsav -
Agra is part of which famous tourist circuit?
a) Char Dham
b) Golden Triangle ✅ (Delhi–Agra–Jaipur)
c) Buddhist Circuit
d) Deccan Circuit
Current Importance & Miscellaneous
-
What is the population rank of Agra among Indian cities (as per latest data)?
a) Top 5
b) Top 20 ✅
c) Top 30
d) Top 50 -
Which Mughal ruler’s tomb is at Sikandra in Agra?
a) Babur
b) Humayun
c) Akbar ✅
d) Jahangir -
The Mughal Gardens in Agra inspired which famous garden layout?
a) Shalimar Bagh (Kashmir) ✅
b) Brindavan Gardens
c) Lalbagh Garden
d) Lodi Garden -
Which railway station in Agra serves tourists visiting the Taj Mahal?
a) Tundla Junction
b) Agra Cantt ✅
c) Agra Fort
d) Raja Ki Mandi -
Which is the most visited monument in India?
a) Qutub Minar
b) Taj Mahal ✅
c) Gateway of India
d) India Gate
