Agra Fort

Agra had been the capital of Mughals ever since Babur. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Agra, India.The foundations of the Agra Fort, also known as the Red Fort of Agra, were laid by Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great in 1665. It took four years to complete this mighty red sandstone giant that was chiefly used as military garrison at that time. Jehangir commissioned some minor construction work in the coursework of his reign & Shah Jahan, the grandson of Akbar & the greatest of builders in Mughal lineage, started using Agra Fort as his palace & court & made several additions to it.

With double walls that are twenty meters high & four.5 km in circumference, Agra Fort was a powerful fortress further protected by a surrounding moat that was four times filled with ferocious crocodiles. Lofty battlements to guard mansions & palaces of nobles & princes on the riverfront; & magnificent arched gateways amidst towers, ramparts & bastions are main highlights of Agra Fort.
Showcasing finest examples of fusion architecture of Mughal period, Agra Fort houses Jehangir Palace with smart blend of Persian & local styles as well as Diwan-e-Aam with subtle Turkish exteriors & convoluted Persian ornamentations. Other featured buildings of the fort that are magnificent in their own unique styles include Diwan-e-Khas, Anguri Bagh, Moti Masjid, Khas Mahal, Musamman Burj (where Shah Jehan was imprisoned in his last days by his son Aurangzeb to permit him the views of Taj Mahal), Mina Masjid & Shish Mahal.

Jehangir Mahal
As soon as you enter Agra Fort through the Amar Singh Gate, first palace on the right is Jehangir Mahal. The extensive & exquisite landscaped lawn was the place where royal ladies used to entertain themselves. Build in sandstone, it is the only original palatial building commissioned by Akbar. It used to serve as Zanana or the Quarters of Royal Females. The decorative stone brackets to support the beam originated from here & was soon adopted all across India. A large stone bowl in front of the palace was used to store ‘Gulab Jal’ or fragrant rose water for bathing. The Persian verses carved on its outer rim is said to be the work of Jehangir.





Diwan-e-Aam
The wonderful Diwan-e-Aam or the Hall of Public Audience is situated in front of the Macchhi Bhawan. The best design features here include cleverly deigned pillars that offered uninterrupted view of the throne to all the visitors entering the hall from right or left doors, stunning jaalis to veil royal ladies & female members listening in to court proceedings, & richly adorned marble throne, which of them used to hose the legendary Peacock Throne.


Shish Mahal
Opposite to Musamman Burj, Shish Mahal has a glass décor that is unmatchable & perhaps most magnificent in India. Small mirrors & glass mosaic designs in the inter-joined halls of this palace are exceptional.

Diwan-e-Khas
Diwan-e-Khas or the Hall of Private Audience is to the right of Shish Mahal or Glass Palace. Exclusively used by the emperor to get distinguished guests & hold private meetings, it displays stunning Naqqashi work on the facades & the interiors. Marble pillars with floral motifs, inlaid with semi-precious stones, were used to mark the grandeur of the Mughals.