Agra Fort
The Agra Fort, also known as the Red Fort of Agra, is a magnificent 16th-century fortress made primarily of red sandstone and located on the banks of the Yamuna River in Agra, India. It served as the seat of the Mughal Empire's government and royal residence during the 17th century. The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a remarkable example of Mughal architecture that blends Islamic, Persian, and Hindu styles.
Overview and History
Built initially as a brick fort in the 11th century and extensively renovated and expanded by Emperor Akbar beginning in 1565, the fort took about eight years to complete with around 4,000 workers involved in its construction.
Agra Fort became the Mughal Empire's seat of power when Akbar made Agra his capital, symbolizing imperial strength with massive ramparts and fortified walls.
Shah Jahan, the builder of the Taj Mahal, added marble palaces within the fort but was later imprisoned here by his son Aurangzeb, spending his final years gazing at the Taj Mahal from a room in the fort.
The fort changed hands multiple times through history, including British control, who made military modifications.
Agra Fort became the Mughal Empire's seat of power when Akbar made Agra his capital, symbolizing imperial strength with massive ramparts and fortified walls.
Shah Jahan, the builder of the Taj Mahal, added marble palaces within the fort but was later imprisoned here by his son Aurangzeb, spending his final years gazing at the Taj Mahal from a room in the fort.
The fort changed hands multiple times through history, including British control, who made military modifications.
Architecture and Layout
The fort covers an area of about 94 acres (38 hectares) with thick, 70-foot-high double walls and massive circular bastions, enclosing a self-contained city with palaces, audience halls, mosques, and gardens.
Its layout is semicircular, parallel to the River Yamuna, surrounded by a moat on three sides, and has four main gates — the Delhi Gate (grandest), Lahore Gate (also called Amar Singh Gate), Khizri Gate, and Ghazni Gate.
Architectural styles show a fusion of Islamic, Persian, Hindu, Gujarati, Bengali, and Rajput influences with intricate marble inlays, carved sandstone, and decorative arches.
Key structures include Jahangiri Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), the Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque), and Shah Jahan's marble palaces such as the Shish Mahal (Mirror Palace).
Its layout is semicircular, parallel to the River Yamuna, surrounded by a moat on three sides, and has four main gates — the Delhi Gate (grandest), Lahore Gate (also called Amar Singh Gate), Khizri Gate, and Ghazni Gate.
Architectural styles show a fusion of Islamic, Persian, Hindu, Gujarati, Bengali, and Rajput influences with intricate marble inlays, carved sandstone, and decorative arches.
Key structures include Jahangiri Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), the Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque), and Shah Jahan's marble palaces such as the Shish Mahal (Mirror Palace).