Agra Fort is one of the finest forts built by the Mughal rulers in India. This 16th-century Mughal monument situated nearby the gardens of Taj Mahal. Besides, Taj Mahal, this fort is also an important monument in Agra. This amazing fort is made up of red sandstone and white marble. It stands majestically on the banks of River Yamuna and it is popularly known as the Red Fort Agra.
Agra Fort was built by Akbar, the greatest Mughal Emperor, in 1573. This historical monument stands on an ancient site that was known as Badalgarh and has a rich history. Four generations of influential Mughal Emperors ruled from Agra Fort, while Agra was the capital of the flourishing Mughal Empire. Ibrahim Lodi's palace stood here before the first Battle of Panipat. After the battle, Babur captured this palace and converted it into a small fort. Humayun was crowned in this fort in 1530. Agra Fort is a symbol of resilience, power, and pride which depicts the lavish lifestyle of the Mughal rulers. Initially, Akbar built this fort as a military base and later it was converted into a royal residence by Jahangir.
Agra Fort is protected by a massive 70 feet wall of red sandstone. The fort is situated on the opposite bank of River Yamuna on which Taj Mahal has built. It has four gates, but only the Delhi Gate and Lahore Gate were the most prominent gates. The gates were built in such a way that it was difficult for the invaders to enter the fort even with the help of elephants. The Delhi Gate, the original entrance facing west, was exclusively for Akbar. It is well-known for its workmanship and architectural design. Lahore Gate which is also known as Amar Singh Gate (facing south) is the only gate which used for the entry of tourists inside the fort. The red sandstone which was used to build the Agra Fort was brought from Rajasthan. The appearance of the fort underwent a major change during the reign of Shah Jahan. He destroyed many structures within the Lal Quila Agra and rebuilt them using white marble.
Agra Fort is a huge complex that accommodates palaces, halls, gardens, underground tunnels, and pathways. The most important structures inside the fort include Diwan-e-Khas, Diwan-e-Aam, Shah Jahan Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Moti Masjid, Mina Masjid, and Nagina Masjid. The Agra Fort architecture is a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture. Jahangir Mahal is the largest residence inside the complex. It is a private palace built by Akbar for his son Jahangir. Jahangir's Hauz is a monolithic tank built by Jahangir which was initially used for bathing. Khas Mahal was Shah Jahan's private palace which has elegant walls adorned with flowers ornamented with precious gems. Shah Jahan Mahal was the first attempt of Shah Jahan to change a red stone palace into a white marble palace. Musamman Burj was the residence of Shah Jahan's favorite Empress Mumtaz Mahal. It is a beautiful octagonal tower with an open pavilion where Shah Jahan was made to spend his final days gazing at the Taj Mahal. Babur's Baoli is a stepwell built by Babur to take care of the water needs of the ancient Agra Fort.
Inside Agra Fort, there is a private mosque built by Shah Jahan named Mina Mahal. This was a private worship place for Shah Jahan. Nagina Masjid was another mosque built exclusively for the royal ladies. Moti Masjid built by Shah Jahan and it was entirely made up of white marble. The entire structure had the luster of a pearl and is the most beautiful structure inside the Agra Fort. Sheesh Mahal or the Glass Palace is the finest example of water engineering in the Hamam (bathing areas). Its walls are inlaid with thousands of tiny mirrors which are the best specimens of glass mosaic decoration.
Diwan-e-Khas is the hall of Private Audience which has marble pillars inlaid with semi-precious stones in delightful floral patterns. Diwan-e-Aam is the Hall of Public Audience which was used to house the famous peacock throne. Shah Jahan took the throne with him when moved his capital to Delhi. Agra Fort is believed to hold many secrets and the entire fort is interconnected through tunnels and underground pathways. The last Indian rulers to have occupied this fort was the Marathas. This fort was among the first monuments in India to be declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Agra Fort location is just 2.5 km away from the famous Taj Mahal and is easily accessible from any part of the city. On all days of the week, plan a trip to Agra and explore Agra Fort with Indian Visit and make your trip a memorable experience.
Agra Fort Entry Fee: INR 40 for Indian adult, INR 550 for foreign adult and entry is free for children below the age of 15.
Red Fort Agra Timings: 6 A.M to 6 P.M
