This great monument of red sandstone dominating a bend in the river
Yamuna, 2km northwest of Taj Mahal was constructed by the Mughals
during 1565-1571. It was Emperor Akbar who laid the foundation of
this majestic citadel in 1565. The fort was ready by 1571 period
of Shahjahan, Akbar's grandson. The fort is crescent shaped, flattened
on the east with a long, nearly straight wall facing the river.
Fort's colossal double walls rise 69 ft in height and measure 2.5
km in circumference encircled by a moat and contain a maze of buildings
which form a small city within a city. The fort contains splendid
mosques and palaces in red sandstone and white marble built by two
generations of creative builders during the time of Akbar and later
Jehangir and Shahjahan.
»Jahangiri Mahal (Jahangir's Palace)
It
was the principal zenana palace (palace for women belonging to the
royal household), used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar. A splendid
gateway leads to an interior courtyard surrounded by grand halls
covered with profuse carvings on stone, heavily fashioned brackets,
piers, and crossbeams. Jahangiri Mahal is the most important building
of the Akbari period in the Agra Fort.
»Khas
Mahal
In
the Khas Mahal enclosure (built by Shahjahan), later Mughal architecture
comes of age. The Khas Mahal is an airy edifice, overlooking the
specially laid Angoori Bagh (grape garden; a simple formal Mughal
garden). Windows closed with jali (intricately perforated decorative
stone screens) present fabulous view of the riverfront. The two
copper-roofed pavilions built in the Bengali traditions were meant
for prominent ladies of the harem. On three sides of this garden
are residential quarters of women. Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace)
or the royal hammam (bath) is decorated with myriad glass pieces
and a central fountain.
»The
Sheesh Mahal
This
is a creation of myriad glass pieces and central fountain. It is
believed to have been the harem dressing room and its walls are
inlaid with tiny mirrors (and thus the name), which are the best
specimens of glass mosaic decoration in India.
»Musamman
Burj
within
the Agra fort is the most romantic, ornamental pavilion wherein
lived two beautiful and powerful Mughal queens-Nurjahan (Jahangir's
chief queen) and Mumtaz Mahal (Shahjahan's chief queen). The quality
of pietra dura (stone inlay work) decoration is fabulous and perfect.
Here Shahjahan spent his last few years as a captive held by Aurangzeb
(Shahjahan's son). Shahjahan languished and died looking at the
Taj Mahal.
»Diwan-I-Khas
was
built by Shahjahan in 1636-37. It is a small hall with double marble
columns inlaid with pietra dura decoration. Here the Mughal emperor
received important dignitaries or foreign ambassadors. On the terrace,
in front of this hall, are two marble thrones. The black throne
belongs to Jahangir who, as Prince Salim in rebellion against Akbar
at Allahabad, had ordered it for himself. Below this terrace lies
the grand courtyard of Machchi Bhawan, meant for harem functions.
On another side stands a small mosque built for Shahjahan by Aurangzeb.
»How
to reach Agra Fort
By
Air : Agra's Kheria airport is situated 6km from the city centre.
It is well connected with Delhi (204km-30 minutes flight) and major
places in India.
By Rail : Agra is a major railway Junction and
has several railway stations and connects the city to major places
in the north as well as the south.
By Road : Agra is well linked by bus services to
other places in the State as well as outside the state and national
highways 2,3 and 11 pass through the city.
