About Agra Fort in India
Located to 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 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 structure 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 fort shaped in the form of a crescent
narrows down towards th eastern side with a long wall facing the river.
The huge edifice is surrounded by treasures of architectural masterpieces
and artistry of the Mughal dynasty. The audience hall, royal pavilions,
palaces, mosques, charming gardens represents the fusion of different styles
of construction, which was the hallmark of the Mughals.
Architecture of Agra Fort in India:
Mughal citadel creation reached its peak with the design of the Red Fort at
Agra. The auricular Forts colossal double walls rise over 20 m in
height and measure 2.5km in circumference enclosed 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 exceptional building inside the Agra Fort is the Jahangir Mahal
which was the foremost zenana palace for women,mainly used by the Rajput
wives of Akbar to view the court proceedings. A splendid gateway leads to
the interior courtyard surrounded by grand halls carved with prolific art on
stone, heavily fashioned with brackets, piers and crossbeams. Visitors can
still find fragments of gold and blue done in the then prevalent Persian
style.
Khas Mahal:
The Khas Mahal, created by Shah jahan, is an airy mansion overlooking the
specially laid Angoori Bagh ,the grape garden and the Sheesh Mahal . Even
the royal hammam bath within the premises of the Khas Mahal is decorated
with myriad glass and a fountain.
Musamman Burj:
The octagonal shaped tower within the Agra Fort is the most romantically
ornamented pavilion where lived two of the most beautiful and powerful
Mughal queens - Nurjahan ,Jahangirs"s chief Queen and Mumtaz Mahal,
Shahjahan"s chief Queen. The decoration of pietra dura or stone inlay
work within the palace is absolute and fabulous. Shahjahan too spent his
last few years in this Burj held as captive by Aurangzeb, his son. Shah
Jahan languished till his death in this very place looking at the Taj Mahal.
Diwan-I-khas:
The Hall of Private Audience or the Diwan -I-khas was built by Shahjahan in
the year 1636, which consists of a small hall with double marble columns.
Here the Mughal Emperor use to welcome the important dignitaries to his
kingdom. The terrace in front of this hall has two marble thrones. The black
throne belongs to Jahangir .At the bottom of the terrace lies the grand
courtyard of Machchi Bhawan, meant for harem functions. The other side
presents a small mosque built for Shahjahan by Aurangzeb. Concealed steps
lead to the Diwan-I-Aam, the Hall of Public Audience where the famous
Peacock Throne is preserved. Towards the north stands the Pearl Mosque, with
its three white domes raising their heads over the red sandstone wall.