The Red Taj — Attraction in Agra

Travellers and tourists visiting Agra get so glued to the beauty of the Taj Mahal that they tend to ignore other gorgeous sites in the city.

One such unexplored and well-kept secret of Agra is the Red Taj, also known as John Hessing Tomb. But unlike Taj Mahal, the Red Taj was built by a wife in memory of her beloved ‘man’ and this man was called John Hessing!

Who was John Hessing?

John Hessing was basically a Dutch traveller who ended up becoming an army officer and served in the troop of the Marathas in Agra. Happy with his loyalty and dedication, he was given the command of the Agra Fort by Daulatrao Scindia in 1799. But unfortunately, the fort was attacked by British Army in the year 1803, during when the commander John Hessing was killed in the battlefield trying to defend his fort.

Devastated and heartbroken by his husband’s death, his wife Ann Hessing commissioned this monument in the memory of her husband. The tomb was designed to look like the Taj Mahal but in red sandstone, a near replica of the original Taj Mahal in Agra.

The Red Taj, as it is called, displays Mughal architecture and stands on a square platform with a corridor around, while the top is a typical dome-shaped structure. The dome-shaped pavilions surrounding the Red Taj are symbolic of pride and honour. You can see the grave of John Hessing inside the central hall and a few English inscriptions that are engraved on his tomb.

Today, the Red Taj is not more than a forgotten tomb or a cemetery in Agra, but it’s certainly a reminder of the era when European adventures and mercenaries visited the country and earned a name for themselves in the local Indian troops. John Hessing too was one of those brave soldiers who rose to the rank of commander. The Red Taj or Hessing Tomb is housed inside a Catholic...

Like a Taj Mahal Red Taj Mahal Good Structure 👍

The Red Taj Mahal in Agra is an intriguing, lesser-known monument that offers a unique glimpse into India's rich architectural heritage. Tucked away from the bustling crowds that throng the famous white marble Taj Mahal, this monument is often overlooked by tourists, making it a hidden gem worth discovering.

The Red Taj Mahal, made from red sandstone, is smaller and simpler than its more famous counterpart, but it holds its own charm. The monument serves as a mausoleum built by Ann Hessing in memory of her husband, John Hessing, a Dutch officer in the service of the Marathas. Its design is reminiscent of the Mughal architecture seen in the grander Taj, but with a distinct European touch that reflects the cultural fusion of the period.

The surrounding garden is peaceful and well-maintained, offering a serene environment to reflect and appreciate the historical significance of the site. Visitors often appreciate the tranquility of the Red Taj Mahal, which allows for a more intimate experience compared to the crowded main Taj Mahal.

Though it lacks the grandeur of the iconic Taj, the Red Taj Mahal stands out for its historical value and quiet beauty. It’s a place that history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and those seeking a more off-the-beaten-path experience in Agra should not miss. Visiting this monument offers a deeper understanding of the diverse cultural influences that have shaped...

A Taj Mahal of red sandstone, with slender turrets and a dome, rises above the trees. It dawns on me that though it resembles the original monument of love, this one has no minarets. I am in Agra, the so-called City of Love and the Taj Mahal—but the Taj Mahal that I am looking at is a tomb built by a loving wife for her dead husband, not the other way around. History echoes from every corner of this famous city. In 1803, the British invaded Delhi, and then Agra, commencing 150 years of colonial rule in the subcontinent. Most people only associate the city with the Taj Mahal and the Mughal rulers, but besides the British, people from other nationalities also made it their home down the ages, from Italian jewelers, Dutch ship-owners to artisans from Central Asia. I walk through the graveyard, looking at inscriptions. Some of the oldest graves (and the simplest ones) belong to Armenians with inscriptions in Armenian, Latin and Persian. The Armenian traders were invited by Akbar to Agra (who even had an Armenian wife). Another red pyramid-shaped dome has a plaque that reads ‘Children of...