Situated on the west bank of the Yamuna River, about 2km upstream from the
Taj Mahal, Agra Fort stands great and tall at Agra in the state of Uttar
Pradesh. The Red Fort is bounded to the north by Mathura, on the south by
Dhaulpur, on the east by Firozabad, and on the west by Bharatpur.
This massive red sandstone edifice, Agra Red Fort had its very beginning in the
year 1565 at the hands of Emperor Akbar. Later additions were made till the
rule of Shah Jahan, his great grandson. Built as a military establishment,
the fort was later partially converted to a palace and is considered as the
predecessor to the Delhi Red Fort.
The huge bastion building surrounds a treasure of architectural
masterpieces and craftsmanship of the Mughal dynasty. The audience hall,
royal pavilions, palaces, mosques, charming gardens represents the fusion of
different cultures, which was the hallmark of the Mughals.
Architecture of Agra Fort in India
Mughal palace designs reached its peak with the construction of the Red
Fort at Agra. The auricular Fort's colossal double walls rise over 20m in
height and measure 2.5km in circumference encircled by a maze of buildings
which forms a city within a city. The Amar Singh Gate to the south is the
sole entry point.
Jahangir Mahal - The most noteworthy building inside the
Agra Fort is the Jahangir Mahal which was the principal zenana palace for
women, used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar to view the court
proceedings. A splendid gateway leads to an interior courtyard surrounded by
grand halls covered with prolific carvings on stone, heavily fashioned with
brackets, piers and crossbeams. One can still find fragments of decoration,
in gold and blue done in the then prevalent Persian style.
Khas Mahal - The Khas Mahal, built by Shahjahan, is an
airy edifice overlooking the specially laid Angoori Bagh ,the grape garden
and the Sheesh Mahal . Even the royal hammam bath is decorated with myriad
glass pieces and a central fountain.
Musamman Burj - The octagonal tower within the Agra Fort
is the most romantic, ornamental pavilion where in lived two most beautiful
and powerful Mughal queens - Nurjahan ,Jahangirs's chief Queen and Mumtaz
Mahal, Shahjahan's chief Queen. The quality of pietra dura or stone inlay
work decoration is fabulous and perfect. Here Shahjahan spent his last few
years as a captive held by Aurangzeb,his son. ShahJahan languished and died
looking at the Taj Mahal.
Diwan-I-khas - Diwan-I-khas, Hall of Private Audience
was built by Shahjahan in 1636 and is a small hall with double marble
columns. Here the Mughal Emperor used to receive important dignitaries. On
the terrace, in front of this hall, are two marble thrones. The black throne
belongs to Jahangir. Below this terrace lies the grand courtyard of Machchi
Bhawan, meant for harem functions. On another side stands a small mosque
built for Shah Jahan by Aurangzeb. Concealed steps lead to the Diwan-I-Aam,
theHall of Public Audience where the famous Peacock Throne is kept. To the
north stands the Pearl Mosque, with its three domes in white marble raising
their heads over the red sandstone wall.
Nearby Attractions from the Agra Red Fort
Other places to visit from Agra Red Fort are the Taj Mahal, the Jama Masjid,
the persian styled Mughal gardens Ram Bagh, Dayal Bagh and Soami Bagh also
Seikh Salim Christi's Tomb.
Accommodation in Agra
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