Agra Mughlai Cooking Class

The Agra Mughlai Cooking Class is a three-hour hands-on session in a home kitchen near the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. The price is typically about INR 2200 per person, and rates vary between hosts because the class is offered by independent cooks. Agra was a Mughal capital, and its cooking carries the influence of the imperial kitchens, which blended Persian techniques with Indian spices. Participants prepare a Mughlai curry, typically a rich dish built on onions, yoghurt, nuts and aromatic spices, naan bread and a sweet. The class generally covers spice blending, preparing the gravy base, kneading and cooking the bread and finishing a dessert, and ends with the group sitting down to eat the meal. The balance is mostly savoury with one sweet course. The price typically includes ingredients, instruction, recipes and the shared meal. Transport to the home, market tours and drinks beyond those served are normally not included. Class sizes are small, usually two to six participants, and instruction is typically in English and Hindi. The pace is relaxed and participatory, with the host demonstrating each step. The curry may be made with chicken or lamb, and vegetarian alternatives such as paneer or vegetable kormas are commonly available if requested in advance. Gluten is unavoidable in naan, and nuts and dairy are widely used in Mughlai cooking, so visitors with allergies should tell the host when booking. The proximity to the Taj Mahal makes the class a practical activity in the afternoon after a sunrise visit, since the monument is closed on Fridays. Participants should wear comfortable clothing that can tolerate cooking and the heat of the kitchen, particularly in summer.