Agra Fort

Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Agra, India. It is about 2.5 km northwest of its much more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

It is the most important fort in India. The great Mughal Emperors lived here, and the country was governed from here. It contained the largest state treasury and mint. It was visited by foreign ambassadors, travellers and the highest dignitaries who participated in the making of history in India.

Emperor Akbar decided to make it his capital and arrived in Agra in 1558. The fort, formerly belonging to the Rajputs, was in a ruined condition, and Akbar rebuilt it with red sandstone.

Emperor Akbar

Entrance into the Massive Agra Fort – This gate was originally known as ‘Akbar Darwaza’ and was reserved for Mughal emperor Akbar and his personal entourage. Shah Jahan, Akbar’s son, later renamed it to “Amar Singh Gate”.

Another entrance to the Fort – The Delhi Gate was built between 1568-69 to the western side of the fort and served as the principal gateway of the fort.

The entire fort used to be surrounded by water.

One of the rooms in the Fort.

Stone carvings above the door way – a blend of Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles.

Musamman Burj or the Octagonal Tower is believed to have been built by Emperor Shah Jehan (the fellow responsible for Taj Mahal) as the palace of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal.

Marble work, upclose.

The Royal Bedroom

The bedroom has its own fountain.

The marble work done on the bedroom walls is inlaid with precious stones like jade and jasper.

Shah Jehan built this Anguri Bagh or the Garden of Grapes in 1637. It was the principal square of the zenana apartments or the living area of the royal ladies. As the name suggests, this garden was known for harvesting choicest of grapes and flowers throughout the year.

A view of the Taj Mahal from the royal bedroom. According to history, Shah Jahan was kept under house arrest in this bedroom until his death, where he gazed at the Taj Mahal every day. Local guides say that his son, Emperor Aurangzeb, arrested him because he spent a LOT of the people’s tax money to build the Taj Mahal.

On our way to the Nagina Mosque. There are just so many rooms. I bet the Emperor himself hasn’t been to ALL these rooms.

The Nagina Masjid (1635 A.D.) – built for the ladies of the harem and is adequately closed to ensure purdah.

Diwan-I-Am or Hall of Public Audience was the place where the emperors Akbar and Shah Jehan addressed the general public as well as the nobility. Constructed between 1631-40.

The building was constructed in red sandstone, yet it had been plastered with white shell plaster to resemble the white marble.

I think the Hindi movie, Jodhaa Akbar, was filmed here.

That’s where Emperor Akbar’s throne used to sit.

A chipmunk’s photo with a couple of local tourists.

On our way out.

The Agra Fort has won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in the year 2004 and India Post has issued a Stamp to commemorate this prestigious award on November 28, 2004.

Source

Date of travel: April 2008