There's more to Agra than the Taj Mahal and other historic monuments. Thanks to the Mughal rulers' extensive patronage of art, the city is rich in craft traditions. For the modern traveller, that translates into great shopping! Many souvenir shops are veritable Aladdin's caves, crammed with inlaid marble ware, hand-crafted leather, striking handloom weaves, hand-printed material and ready-to-wear garments. Buying an inlaid marble table-top is almost like taking a little bit of the Taj home; many of the motifs on these pieces replicate the patterns inside the Taj. If you are looking for something more modern, leather is an interesting choice.
It's great to go shopping in Agra. Our Agra shopping guide below will tell you how to get the best deals and the best places to shop in Agra. And after working up a hunger shopping, make sure you stop for some tasty food and relax in one of the Agra restaurants. For more general Indian shopping information, check out our India shopping guide.
Agra Shopping Guide
The symmetry and painstaking detail you see on Agra's monuments is also reflected in the souvenirs in Agra available everywhere. Window shop before you make up your list; the profusion of choices can otherwise leave you quite bewildered. Also, compare prices and quality.
As the seat of power during the Mughal period, Agra was a magnet for weavers and artisans from across the plains of north India and overseas. They knew that to make good in Agra meant fame and money and hence vied with each other in attracting royal patronage. The king's retinue included his many wives and their ladies-in-waiting, the nobles, officials and scholars. Craftsmen could be sure of some custom to come their way. Markets stocked only the best products, hoping to catch the attention of the royal household. While the royal ladies did not venture out, merchandise was taken to the palaces for inspection.
If you like your shopping hassle free, without the haggling that is customary here, visit Gangotri, the state government handicraft shop where the prices are fair and the merchandise is genuine. This one-stop shop stocks the best of what is available in Agra, so don't miss out on it. If you're lucky, there could be a sale on, and you'll be able to pick up stuff at prices that are a steal.
The best shops in Agra are those around the Taj. At Shilpagram, the crafts village set up to help artisans interact directly with customers you can watch artisans at work. U.P Handlooms is a good place for cotton textiles. For more souvenirs to take home, try UPICA.
Local Handicrafts in Agra
The Mughal rulers were connoisseurs of the finer things in life, be it music, art, architecture or cuisine. Palaces were lavishly appointed with brass and bronze. Even today, Agra remains a centre for metalwork. Craftsmen labour tirelessly on fine, metal inlay designs. Enamel work is another exquisite craft widely sold in shops in Agra. The Mughal ladies wore robes covered with delicate, hand embroidery, worth a king's ransom today. The Empress Noor Jahan was deeply interested in this art and favoured the use of embroidery on the Emperor's clothes. Scores of women were employed inside the harem, creating designs inspired by nature. These craft traditions are used today to create both traditional items as well as contemporary products having utilitarian value.
Beautiful silk and wool carpets are available in Agra, woven in the Persian style of old. Weavers of the Mughal period learnt this craft from Persian carpet weavers who travelled to Agra. These techniques continue to be passed down from generation to generation. Classic Persian and Afghan designs are tooled in leather and turned into jackets, shoes and bags. Miniatures of the Taj can be used as paper weights. Larger ones are used as table lamps. Brass hookah bases with enamel inlay make a very special souvenir. You can also pick up pretty jewellery made of semi-precious stones. Agra is famous for its sweets and snacks - try the delectable petha sweets or pick up a packet of crunchy dalmoth. While taking a break for lunch, do try some Mughlai cuisine too. You can find eateries everywhere in the markets.
Though sandalwood is not grown locally, oil from the tree and beautiful wood carvings are available. Look out for leather goods in the handicraft shops of Agra.
