AGRA FORT
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
Agra fort is one of the most critical forts in Indian history. All six great Mughals ( Babur (Zahir Uddin), Humayun (Naseer Uddin), Akbar (Jalal Uddin), Jahangir (Noor Uddin), Shahjahan (Shahab Uddin), and Aurangzeb (Muhi Uddin) ruled from here. Some of them ruled for short, and some for a more extended period. Interestingly, this triangular shape fort was the strongest bastion of the Mughal Empire. Agra fort is also the best example of the luxury life of Mughals. For instance, Inside the fort, there are still beautiful palaces after facing several destructions by British and local rulers.
Many people compare it with Delhi’s Red fort. If we compare both defences, then the architecture and plan are identical. However, Agra fort has still many buildings and palaces intact. Importantly, Agra fort is well conserved than Delhi’s Red fort. Certainly, High red walls with water moat defence tell us about the great past. Enormous luxuries, palaces, Green grapes garden, Gigantic public and private audience, beautiful mosques are the reasons to visit here.
AGRA FORT TIMINGS
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INSIDE AGRA FORT
There are may places inside Agra Fort. Some of them are palaces for royals others are for governance. Let us talk about in details.
AMAR SINGH GATE
There are many places inside Agra Fort. Some of them are palaces for royals others are for governance. Let us talk in detail.
Amar Singh gate is the entrance to enter and exit the fort. Earlier, they called it Akbar gate because Emperor Akbar used this gate personally. There is an enormous arch and a wooden bridge to cross the moat. Interestingly, Agra fort is on the surface, not on the mountain. Hence, the defence technique is different in the moat and high walls. Moreover, there is a quick diversion to go to the fort when we enter.
During Emperor Shahjahan, Rao Amar Singh of Jodhpur killed Salabat Khan. All the incidents happened in front of Shahjahan. Importantly, Salabat Khan was the chief treasurer of the Mughal Empire. After killing Amar, Singh jumped high walls on a horse. As a result, the horse died, and security arrested Amar Singh. Later Emperor gave him the death sentence. Shahjahan was very impressed with his bravery, and he renamed this gate Amar Singh Gate of Agra Fort.
JAHANGIR PALACE
This beautiful red stone and white marble palace is an excellent example of the height of Mughal art and attractive residence in Agra Fort. Jahangir was living here during those days. Surprisingly, the architecture in this palace is ultimately a mixture of Rajput and Indo Islamic art. The colossal entrance has an enormous arch and two jharokhas. Moreover, the wall is carved, and they beautify its white marble. On both corners, there are two domes.
When we enter, there is a big courtyard. There are two palaces on the east and west, and Jahangir used them as winter and summer palaces. Interestingly, there is another small palace in the south, and we can see there were glasses during those days. On the north, there is another palace, where you still can see gold paintings.
Apart from this, there is another courtyard. A Small tank is also here, and it was not a bath tank but a fountain connected with the river. Surprisingly, you can see the Taj Mahal from Agra Fort.
KHAS MAHAL
Khas Mahal is a beautiful white marble palace and royal residence of Emperor Shahjahan inside the Agra Fort. Interestingly, there is a river view outside the castle and a grapes garden view inside the palace. In front of Khas mahal, there is the Mughal harem. Generally, people think only girls were living harem. They are entirely wrong; only wives, mothers, sisters, and kaneez live there in the harem.
If I talk about the plan, there are two small palaces for Emperor’s daughters. One is for Jahanara Begum, and the second is for Roshanara begum. In the centre of these Shahjahn’s bedrooms, artists decorated them with beautiful paintings on white marble. On the roof, you still can see gold paintings. Apart from this, there is a courtyard with a fountain outside of Khas mahal.
Importantly, there is double defence here on the riverside. One is a moat, and the second is a small jungle. There were dangerous animals for preventing anyone come there. It speaks about the vigorous defence of Agra Fort.
ANGURI BAGH AND HARAM
Emperor Shahjahan built this beautiful garden in the 17th century. The garden has four portions, and people call it Angoori Bagh of Agra Fort. On the three sides, there are harem rooms, and on the Front, there is Khas mahal. Interestingly, there is a white marble platform in the centre with a fountain. As the name suggests, there were grapes and flowers in the garden. Notably, there are underground pipes, which connect with the river for the water supply.
Royal ladies spent time here for relaxation. In Mughal history, gardens with water canals and fountains were the primary source of pleasure. You can imagine the height of pleasure those days when the garden was functional. All these areas are the private place for Emperor and his family.
MUSAM MAM BURJ
It is the most beautiful palace with a Burj inside the Agra fort. Earlier, Akbar built a small palace here, and later Jahangir demolished it and built a new structure here. Finally, Emperor Shahjahan built this white marble palace and Burj in the 17th century for his queen Mumtaz Mahal. This Burj palace has much historical importance. Shahjahan spent his final years here looking at the Taj Mahal.
Burj: If I talk about architecture, it is a multi-storied structure. Artists covered the dome with copper. The lower story was for playing pachisi. Interestingly, Emperor played this local game on this floor. The best thing here is Jharokha, which is on the outer wall, and you can see Taj from there. Importantly, walls have Pietra dura work.
Palace: This beautiful palace, along with jharokha, is magnificent. There is a small fountain tank with inlay work. On every stone, they did pietra dura work. The impression of the beauty of this palace is majestic.
Emperor Aurangzeb did not allow Emperor Shahjahan and Jahanara begum to go outside from this place. According to history, they lived inside the Agra Fort.
DEWAN E KHAS
Dewan e Khas is a beautiful building for governance. In Mughal Empire, to deal and talk with Ministers and local kings, they built dewan e Khas in the Agra fort. In simple words, it is the private audience, and Emperor Shahjahan built this enormous private audience during 1635.
Interestingly, there is no dome on dewan e Khas. They used white marble pillars with inlay art. It is wholly open from three sides. Those days they were using big and expensive curtains to cover it. Moreover, there are two halls. The jali work is beautiful, and there is an Arabic inscription also. There was a wooden roof with gold paintings, silver, and precious stones.
Apart from this, there is a big open courtyard in front of a private audience. Surprisingly, you will find two thrones there, and one is the Black throne of Jahangir; the second is a white one for another purpose. The principal throne (PEACOCK THRONE) of the Mughal Empire was in the public audience of Agra Fort.
DEWAN E AAM
This gigantic structure is eye-catching, not only for beauty but size also. Resolving people issues was part of the Mughal’s rule. In every palace where they lived, it built Dewan e aam, which means public audience. In Agra fort dewan e aam is huge. Interestingly, it is open from three sides, and these three sides have beautiful massive arches. Shahjahan built it between 1631-1640.
Moreover, the size of dewan e aam is 201 x 67 meters. In the facade, there are nine arches, and they divide all nine arches into three aisles. There were beautiful paintings in those days with beautiful curtains. Every morning Emperor came here and met with people inside the Agra Fort. If the Emperor was absent in that case, it was wazir who played this role.
Apart from this, the most beautiful thing here is the throne room. The location is on a specific height. The beauty of white marble with inlay art tells us Shahjahan’ passion for this art. This part connects with the private part of the Emperor.
OTHER THINGS TO WATCH
AKBARI MAHAL: It was the residential palace of Emperor Akbar in Agra Fort. They built it between 1565-1569. The location is between Jahangiri Mahal and Bengali Burj. Sadly, there are only ruins, but you can enjoy this palace.
JAHANGIR BATHTUB: The five feet high stone made bathtub is in front of Jahangir Mahal. Interestingly, the diameter of the tub is 25 feet, and you can imagine how luxurious the bathroom was there.
SEESH MAHAL: Sheesh Mahal, or glass palace, is near Anguri bagh; Emperor Shahjahan built it in 1631-1640. Maybe he used it as an imperial bath. Undoubtedly, the glasswork makes it so beautiful with white plaster. According to history, they imported glass from Syria. Sadly, it is closed; you can see it from outside.
MOTI MASJID: The pearl mosque is perhaps the most beautiful mosque ever made by the Mughal. They built it inside the fort for royal ladies in the 17th century, and sadly, it is closed. The historical event happened near this mosque; In Meena bazaar of Agra fort Emperor Shahjahan first met with his love Mumtaz
NAGINA MASJID: This beautiful small mosque is near the garden of Dewan e Khas. Emperor Shahjahan built it in 1631-1640.
MINA MASJID: Emperor Shahjahan built it for personal use and royal ladies. It is near dewan e Khas of Agra Fort.
WHO BUILT AGRA FORT
EARLIER HISTORY: There was a Badalgarh fort. According to history, some Rajput rulers were using this fort as the location of this site is very strategic near the river.
SIKANDAR LODHI: Sultan of Delhi shifted capital in Agra during the 15th-16th century. He built some palaces on the site of Agra fort. Interestingly, his son and last Sultan of Delhi Ibrahim Lodhi had a castle here. After defeating Ibrahim Lodhi, Babur himself lived in his palace.
EMPEROR AKBAR: Jalal Uddin Akbar built all present structures of Agra fort. He started making it in 1565 and finished in 1573. Eight thousand workers worked under Qasim Khan. Babur was busy expanding his empire; he only built a baori ( stepwell) here. Interestingly, Emperor Humayun crowned himself in the Agra fort. Later he shifted Capital in Delhi and made Deenpahan a new city there.
Akbar decided to shift (Govt seat) Capital from Delhi to Agra. He thought it would not be easy for him to rule from here. He ordered to build a gigantic for. Under the supervision of architect Qasim khan, 4000 workers build this massive fort in eight years. They used red sandstone of karauli.
EMPEROR SHAHJAHAN: Shahab Uddin Shahjahan was a great builder of India. Interestingly, He converted many buildings from red stone to white marble. Furthermore, he transformed the royal palace into a luxurious palace—finally, Emperor Shahjahan Capital From Agra to Delhi.
FACTS OF AGRA FORT
1. It served all great Mughals, including Emperor Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shahjahan (Prince Khurram), and Alamgir Aurangzeb.
2. It took eight years to complete this fort.
3. Akbar spent 35 lakhs rupees on building it.
4. 4000 workers participated in completing the Agra fort.
5. It had 500 buildings inside; unfortunately, the British demolished many of them.
CAPITAL SHIFT DELHI TO AGRA
According to history, Agra was so big because it is not a walled city. After becoming Capital, lots of people started living here. Interestingly, It was three times bigger than London. In the subcontinent, it became the most important place of commerce. The reason behind shifting Capital to Delhi was space. In Agra, there was no space left, and it was tough to govern with privacy and security there. As a result, Shahjahan decided to transfer Capital to Delhi.
PLACES NEAR AGRA FORT
There are lots of monuments you can enjoy visiting near Agra fort. For example, Taj Mahal, Itmad ud doula, Mehtab bagh, etc.
HOW TO GET TO AGRA FORT
Agra fort is in the central city of Agra. There is sufficient parking if you have a car. If you do not have your vehicle, you can hire an auto-rickshaw.
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