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Gyarah Sidi (lit. 'Eleven steps') are the remains of the astronomical observatory of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. The ruins are situated at a stone's throw from Babur’s Mehtab Bagh, in a field on the banks of the Yamuna river in Agra.

History

Gyarah Sidi or Eleven Steps refers to the steps overlooking the hemispherical cavities in the ground from which astronomical readings could be taken. Though nowhere close to their size, Humayun's observatory is an interesting, diminutive precursor to the massive Jantar Mantars at Jaipur and Delhi built nearly 200 years later.

Humayun and astronomy

Humayun was absorbed in astrology and astronomy, manifesting his passion in the most eccentric way. The business at court was not conducted according to exigencies of matter on hand but deferred to the planets:

• Sunday and Tuesday for government - As the sun regulates sovereignty and Mars is the patron of soldiers.
• Saturday and Thursday were devoted to matters of religion.

He even went so far as dressing himself and his ministers according to the colours of the planets associated with particular days.

See also

• Jantar Mantar (Jaipur)
• Jantar Mantar, Delhi
• Humanyun Mosque
• List of astronomical observatories

References

1. "Humayun's observatory". Outlook Traveller. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
2. Datta, Rangan (5 July 2024). "Agra beyond the Taj: Exploring tombs and gardens on the left bank of Yamuna". The Telegraph. My Kolkata. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
3. "Gyarah Sidi Agra". Agra Tourism. Retrieved 18 July 2024.

v t e Tourist attractions in and near Agra
World Heritage Sites	Agra Fort Fatehpur Sikri Taj Mahal
Mughal architecture	Chini Ka Rauza Gyarah Sidi Itmad-Ud-Daulah Mariam's Tomb Sikandra
Mosques	Jama Mosque Mina Mosque Moti Mosque Nagina Mosque Humayun Mosque
Other religious places	Bateshwar Guru ka Tal Mankameshwar Temple Swamibagh
Shopping	Kinari Bazaar Loha Mandi Raja ki mandi Sadar Bazaar Sanjay Place
Gardens	Aram Bagh Mehtab Bagh Paliwal Park
Wildlife sanctuaries	Etawah Safari Park Keetham Lake National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary Patna Bird Sanctuary Saman Bird Sanctuary
Fairs	Ram Barat Taj Mahotsav

• India
• Astronomy
• Stars
• Spaceflight
• Outer space
• Solar System
• Education
• Science

• Buildings and structures of the Mughal Empire
• History of Uttar Pradesh
• Tourist attractions in Agra
• Buildings and structures in Agra
• Astronomical observatories in India
• Defunct astronomical observatories