Agra Fort | Agra Fort

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Agra Fort a.k.a. Red Fort of Agra is the UNESCO World Heritage monument built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar as a military citadel. He built this in red sand stone with some marble buildings in it. It is also known as the ‘Lal Qila’ meaning ‘Red Fort’ and ‘Fort Rouge’. The fort is well-known for its huge architecture and various historical stories.

If you are visiting the city of Taj Mahal, you should also visit the Agra Fort. The distance of Agra Fort from the Taj Mahal is just 2 kms. You can see the Taj Mahal towards the right hand side before entering the Agra Fort. The fort is an amalgamation of buildings and palaces, which were renovated and built by the Mughal emporers - Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb.

Altogether, it is a vast museum of various buildings built as per the needs and interests of various Mughal rulers. The fort is believed to be built over the remains of an ancient site known as 'Badalgarh'. This belonged to the Lodi Dynasty and was conquered by Babur the Mughal emperor in the famous battle of Panipat in 1526 A.D. Babur was the founder of the Mughal rule in India.

History of Agra Fort: Agra Fort is the clear majestic picture of the Mughal architecture and art. The buildings in it are built by various Mughals who ruled over Agra. The red sand stone buildings were renovations of Akbar, the black constructions of the fort are the ideas of Jahangir and the marble constructions are done by Shah Jahan. Read More

How to Reach Agra Fort: As mentioned earlier, the Red Fort is at a distance of 2 kms from the Taj Mahal. We suggest, if you are on a one day trip to Agra, first vist the Taj Mahal, witness its beauty and then visit the Agra Fort to witness its majesty. Thereafter, you can visit other monuments such as Itmad-ud-Daulah, Mehtab Bagh and Chini Ka Rauza. If you are short of time, you can head towards the Agra Cant railway station which is about 4.7 kms away from the fort. The Airport is 7 km away (from heart of city) and the Circuit House bus stand is 0.5 km away.

Photography at the Agra Fort: You can click photographs at almost all accesible places at the fort. There are certain places which are not open to the public and ofcourse, since you cannot go there, you cannot click pictures there. The view of the Taj Mahal with the Yamuna river flowing besides it the best photograph that you can click from the Red Fort. It is the same view which Sahan Jahan used to see when he was imprissioned by his son.

Layout of the Agra Fort: Agra Fort, which is spread over a distance of 2.5 km, has a semi-circular or ‘D’ shaped plan. The straight end of the shape is parallel to the river Yamuna. This fort has 3 gates namely- ‘The Delhi gate’, ‘The Lahore gate’ and ‘the Water gate’. The Agra Fort is covered on all the sides with the ramparts and gateways. The amazing architecture of the Agra Fort has buildings, structures and designs of Rajasthan, Bengal, Gujarat and Malwa. The various sections of the fort are given below:

Amar Singh’s Gate (The Lahore Gate): The main entrance gate of the Agra Fort located on the extreme southern side of the fort is the Amar Singh’s Gate. This gate is also known as the ‘Akbar Darwaza’ meaning 'Akbar’s Gate'. This gate was renamed by the British in the memory of the great Rajput hero named Amar Singh Rathore who was the Maharaja (King) of Jodhpur. Read More
Bengali Mahal: Akbari Mahal and the Jahangir Mahal are together known as the Bengali Mahal meaning 'Palace'. Earlier it was known as a single palace named ‘Bengali Mahal’ but now it is known by two different palaces. The designs in the palace are Bengali and Gujarati from two different states in India.
Akbari Mahal (Akbar’s Palace): Akbari Mahal was the palace built by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar for himself. It is just next to the palace of his son, Jahangir after entering through the Amar Singh’s Gate. There was access between the Akbari Palace and the Jahangir Palace which is closed now; however, one can see the Akbari Mahal from the front entrance.
Jahangir Mahal (The palace of Jahangir): After entering through the Amar Singh’s Gate one would see the Jahangir’s palace on the right hand side. The beautiful double storied building of the palace is made of the red sandstone. It was built by Emperor Akbar for his son Jahangir.
Anguri Bagh (Grape Garden): Anguri Bagh or the Grape Garden is situated infront of the Khas Mahal or the Special Palace in the Agra Fort. It was established by Akbar for his empress and other female members of the family. It is believed that the soil of the garden is brought from Kashmir, India. The grapes in the garden were used for making wine. The grape creepers of the Mughal period are still alive and growing in the garden.
Khas Mahal (Special Palace): Khas Mahal meaning ‘Special Palace’ is a beautiful white marble building in the Agra Fort. It was used as ‘Harem’, a place reserved for women of the royal family. It was also called as ‘Aram Garh’ meaning ‘the Rest House’.
Shah Burj (Royal Tower): Shah Burj is one of the famous constructions of the Agra Fort. It is also known as ‘the Jasmine Tower’, ‘Samman Burj’, ‘Musamman Burj’ or ‘the Octagonal Tower. It was built by Emperor Jahangir for his Empress Noor Jahan. Later on it was remodeled by Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is also the place from where Shah Jahan used to see the Taj Mahal remembering his beloved Empress.
Diwan – I – Khas (The Hall of Private and Dignified Audience): Diwan – I – Khas meaning ‘the Hall of private and dignified Audience’ was built by Shah Jahan with a white marble in the year 1637 A.D. It was the place where the royal meetings were held in the presence of the ministers of the Mughal kingdom.
Sheesh Mahal (Mirrow Palace): Sheesh Mahal or the ‘Mirror Palace’ was the amazing dressing room used by the ladies of the Mughal family. The walls of the palace are in laid with beautiful small mirrors. This palace is situation towards the north side of the Khas Mahal.
Machhi Bhawan (Fish Pavilion): Machhi Bhawan meaning ‘Fish Pavilion’ is the courtyard built by Shah Jahan in the Agra Fort. The courtyard has two matching pavilions facing each other, Diwan –I- Khas on one side and Shahi Hamman (Royal bath and water supply system) on the other side.
Diwan – I – Aam (the Hall of Public or Audience): Diwan – I – Aam meaning the ‘Hall of Public or Audience’ was constructed by Emperor Akbar with red sandstone and is situated towards the west side of “Machchi Bhawan”. It was remodeled by Shah Jahan with the inlay marble work on the pillars, arches, ceiling and the throne room. Read more
Nagina Masjid (Jewel Mosque, Gem Mosque): Nagina Masjid also known as ‘Jewel Mosque’ or ‘Gem Mosque’ is situated in the northwest corner of the Machchi Bhawan courtyard. It was built by Shah Jahan for the ladies of the royal family. It is made of pure white marble and was used for prayers by the women.
Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque): Moti Masjid meaning ‘Pearl Mosque’ was built by Emperor Shah Jahan from 1647 A.D to 1654 A.D at the cost of 3 lakh rupees. It is situated towards the north side of the Diwan –I – Aam. It is made of pure white marble and looks beautiful.
Shah Jahani Mahal (Shah Jahan’s Palace): This is the palace between the Khas Mahal and the Jahangir Palace. The Khas Mahal is white marbled and the Jahangir Palace is the red sandstones palace. This was built by Shah Jahan for himself.
Mumtaz Mahal (Mumtaz Palace): This is one of the original six main palaces of the Agra Fort. This was also known as ‘Chhoti Baitak’ meaning ‘Small Sitting Room’. A beautiful water channel named ‘Nahr-I-Bihisht’ meaning the ‘Stream of Paradise’ ran through this palace.
Rang Mahal (The Palace of Colors): Rang Mahal meaning the ‘Palace of Colors’ was a water-cooled apartment for the royal ladies of the Mughal Kingdom. In the basement of the Rang Mahal there was a market where one could buy traditional Indian goods at very competitive rates.
Shahi Hamman (The Royal bath room and water supply system): Shahi Hamman also known as ‘Royal Bath’ or Ghusl Khanah meaning ‘Wash Room’ was originally built by Emperor Akbar. It was later on renovated by Shah Jahan. It is a closed complex of octagonal walls and rooms.
Meena Bazaar (Meena Market): Meena Bazaar meaning ‘Meena Market’ was the ladies bazaar started by Emperor Akbar for the beautiful ladies of his ‘Harem’ (the women of the royal family). It was built by red sandstone and was a market for selling and purchasing valuable goods by the wives and daughters of the nobles and the chiefs. No man was allowed to enter this market.
Mina Masjid (Heavenly Mosque): Mina Masjid meaning the ‘Heavenly Mosque’ was built by Shah Jahan in between 1631 A.D - 1640 A.D. He built it for his personal use. It is completely made of pure white marble near the Diwan –I- Khas in the Agra Fort.
Naubat Khana (Drummer’s Pavilion): Naubat Khana also known as the ‘Naqqar Khana’ is situated at the entrance of the palace area after you enter through the Amar Singh's Gate. This is the place where the royal musicians used to play the drums five times a day at the appointed time.
Hathiya-Paur (Elephant Gate, Delhi Gate): Hathiya-Paur also known as ‘Elephant Gate’ or ‘Delhi Gate’ was the main entrance to the Agra Fort at the time of the Mughal. The gate faces towards the famous Jama Masjid (Jama Mosque) of Agra. This gate is currently under the military occupation.
Jama Masjid (Jami Mosque): The Jama Masjid meaning the ‘Jama Mosque’ is a very famous mosque of Agra. It is situated in front of the Agra Fort Station and can be seen from the Station. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan’s elder daughter Jahan Ara Begum at the cost of Rs. 5 lakh and took a period of 5 years to complete it.
River Yamuna: The famous river Yamuna a.k.a ‘Jamuna’ flows at one side of the Agra Fort. The river view of the Agra Fort is clearly seen from the river view of the Taj Mahal. The river used to provide water to the Fort during the Mughal kingdom.
Khizri Gate (The Water Gate): The Khizri Gate or the Water Gate is the gate towards the river Yamuna from the Agra Fort. During the time of the Mughals, the flowing waters of the river Yamuna used to touch the walls of the Fort. This gate was the entrance door of the Hamman and was used by the ladies and maids of the Harem. This gate is currently closed for the public.
Shivaji Smarak (The Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji): Chhatrapati Shivaji is the great founder of the Hindu Swarajya. Shivaji Smarak is a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, situated in front of Agra Fort or Red Fort. It is located there in remembrance of the history legend that explains, Shivaji coming to Diwan-I-Khas to meet Aurangzeb and getting mistreated by Aurangzeb. Feeling insulted he stormed out of it and was confined to Jai Singh’s quarters. His six year old son Sambhaji was also with him, and both escaped through boxes containing fruits. It was a heroic escape. Horseback riding statue of Shivaji outside the Agra fort signifies it. Read more
The Tomb of John Colvin: The tomb of John Colvin is beautifully built infront of Diwan –I -Aam in the Agra Fort. This European-styled tomb is of the lieutenant-governer of the North-West Provinces at the time of the Great Uprising.
Ghaznin-Gate: The Ghaznin-Gate originally belonged to the tomb of Mahmud Ghaznavi at Ghazni in Afghanistan. He died in 1030 A.D. The gate was later on brought from there in 1842 A.D. by the British.
Baoli (Step-well): The step-well was built by Babur the founder of the Agra Fort in order to provide water to the Agra Fort. This baoli was completed after the battle of Khanua in 1527 A.D.
Agra Fort Railway Station: Agra Fort Railway Station was built by the British. This station is in between the Agra Fort and the Jama Masjid. We can clearly see the Agra Fort on one side and Jama Masjid on the other side from the station. The station is situated in the Rawatpara area of Agra.
Maintenance of Agra Fort: The maintenance of the Agra Fort being the World Heritage Site is in the hands of all the visitors and tourists of the world and India as well. There are certain steps taken by UNESCO and Indian governement to help maintaint his site for the visitors. Read more