Agra Fort

Like the pearl that is hidden and protected in an Oyster Shell, the massive red wall of Agra Fort protected a beautiful paradise from invaders. The architectural marvels inside the fort, is a representation of the architectural skills and defensive mechanisms of the Mugal Emperors. Historical documents show evidence that there were around 500 different buildings, which included building in the Gujarati and Bengali Designs. Now only, 30 buildings survives, one of which is called the Bengali Mehal.

It is said that the fort existed before the coming of the Mughal, and the old structures were rebuilt and new ones build from the time of Babar to Shah Jahan. During many historic wars, Agra Fort lived up to the expectation of its architects, which was for protecting the buildings and rulers from the attacks. Stretching for 2.5 Km in perimeters, the massive red sand walls is crescent in shape. River Yammuna is on the flat side of the wall and on the semi circular side is the main land. To ensure complete safety, there is a huge moat around the red wall. Drawing bridges are used to connect the main land with the four gates of the Fort.

Entry into the fort through the gates is a dificult task, because, inside the wall there is another wall and on entering the main gate, an immediate right turn has to be taken to reach the inside. The brilliant fortification techniques protected this historic site from invaders during the last 300 years.

Once the gates are crossed, there is a huge royal city with beautiful palaces, mosques, garden, wells and markets like the Pearl Mosque or Moti Bagh, the Dīwān-e-'Ām , Dīwān-e-Khās, Khās Mahal, Shīsh Mahal, and the Musamman Burj, which has been protected from the political upheavals and natural calamities in the last three centuries. Taking into account the architectural brilliance, Agra Fort is declared as second UNESCO World Heritage site in Agra.

Ibrahim Llodhi was the first King known to have lived in the fort, but it is said that the fort that had already existed, and was only rebuilt in the 16th and the 17th Century. Originally, a huge brick fortification, by the time of Shah Jahan, Agra Fort had been converted into a beautiful city with beautiful buildings. The great Mugals Emperors - Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb lived and governed the country from here. The Mugal Kings undertook a spree of construction activities. Akbar the great, saw the strategic position of Agra, so he build to make his royal machinery more effective, on the other hand, Shah who was a wonderful architects, visualized the unexplored beauty of the place, and he added more buildings made of marble and precious stones making the Fort an awesome wonder.

Agra fort bore witness for many historic events in the history of India. Once the Great Maratha Ruler Shivaji was called for a royal visit at Diwan-I-Khas, but he was humiliated and he escaped from the fort fearing assassination. This was also a site of one of the battles during the Sepai Mutiny of 1857. Even now, agra fort plays an important role in the protection of the country with one battalion of the Indian army operating from here.

Agra fort in its full glory would have been a paradise, giving a beautiful view to the gem of all creations the Taj Mahal. Every building here has a romantic story to narrate; every stone holds the charm and beauty of a golden past. A few of the brilliant structure of Agra Fort or Lal Kila are as follows:

The Gates: Khizri gate, or the water gate opening towards the river; Lahore Gate that faces toward Lahore city of Pakistan; and Delhi Gate which is on the western side are three of the four gates that are the only entrance to enter the fort. Lahore gate was the formal gate used by the Emperors; therefore it has been embellished with precious with intricate marble work. Since the Delhi gate is used by the Indian Military, general public are not allowed entry from here.

Maussam Burj: This is an octagonal tower, where Shah was imprisoned by his son for the last seven years of his life. The tower has a beautiful marble balcony that gives an excellent view of Taj Mahal. From this balcony, Shah Jhan spent his last days looking at the Taj Mahal.

Moti Masjid and Nagina Masjid: Two beautifully decorated mosques built by Shah Jahan.

Sadar Bazar: Just below the Nagina mosque, there was the Sadar Bazar, where the royal ladies used to shop.

Bengali Mehal: A palace that is built in Bengali design.

Khas Mahal: A unique piece of architecture built is marble stone; this private palace of Shah Jahan exhibits the exquisite use of paintings on marble stones.

Diwan-I-Khas: It was the visitors’ room, where the king used to hold private audience with kings and official dignitaries.

Sheesh Mahal: This was the official dressing area of the royal ladies. Sheesh mean mirror, and the palace is divided into large halls where there a variety of mirrors- an important beauty accessory for women.