Agra Colonial Walk

In India, cantonments (the word derived from the French word ‘canton’ meaning corner or district) are self-sustaining quarters from the days of the British Raj which housed their military and families. And now post 15th August, 1947, the Indian Army and their families. Most of the cantonments, 63 in total across India, are also some of country’s most beautiful pedestrian friendly spaces with wide tree lined impeccable roads and charming colonial buildings with distinct architectural style; be it Victorian, Gothic or the home grown Indo-Saracenic, which is a synthesis of Hindu, Islamic and European elements. But there is a problem. Most of these cantonments are high-security zones and off-limits to foreigners. In some cantonments, even Indians are not allowed to click photographs without permission. So then why are we talking about cantonments here? It is because the cantonment in Agra (every Sita client, whilst visiting Agra drives past the area on their way to the hotels) is totally different. The 952.55 acres of the Agra cantonment (out of the total 1157 hectares) is a ‘civilian area’ without any restriction on movement or clicking photographs and has some of the most beautiful and charming Indo-Saracenic colonial buildings; bungalows, churches, post office et al. The best part is that no two buildings look alike. Our Colonial Tour of Agra,not only gives your clients an insight into the life and times of a cantonment during the days of the British Raj but also allows them to admire some of North India’s most beautiful Indo-Saracenic architecture. It is a 3 hour easy paced tour which can be experienced either by car, coach or battery operated rickshaws. Short walks in between are involved. The tour covers 4 kms within the Agra cantonment. It is led by an Agra local, who is a History Graduate, studied law and stays in a 19th century colonial bungalow in the Agra cantonment with his wife, two teenage children and his mother. The tour starts from his Bungalow. He inherited the property from his grandfather, who served as a Major in the British Army.