The Agra Fort

The Agra Fort

The Agra fort is historical fort situated in the Agra district of Uttar Pradesh in India. This fort located on right bank of the Yamuna river and has a distance of 2.5 km from northwest of its most famous sister monument Taj Mahal. The Agra fort declared UNESCO heritage site in 1983 under cultural heritage category.

             The Agra Fort is also known as different name such as “Lal-Qila”, “Fort Rouge”, or Qila-i-Akbari”. This fort is symbol of power, strength and resilience.

History:

1.      The fort stands on an ancient site was called “Badalgarh” which explained by historian Abu Fazal described it as a Brick fort.

2.      In 15^th century A.D., Chauhan Rajput ruled this fort and later captured by Sikandar Lodi, ruler of the Lodi dynasty. Sikandar Lodi constructed a few building in the pre-existing fort at Agra.

3.      After the victory of Mughal emperor Babur in first battle of Panipat in 1526 A.D., he modified the palace and made a huge stepwell inside fort known as “Baboli”.

4.      Mughal emperor Humayun coronation took place in the Agra Fort in 1530.

5.      The Agra Fort captured by Sher shah suri in 1540 and ruled from it for 15 years. This fort retained by Mughal emperor Humayun in 1555.

6.      Mughal emperor Akbar rebuilt fort and completed in 1573. He used red sandstone for its renovation.

7.      During reign Mughal emperor Sahajahan, modified and gave current form to fort.  He used white marble in fort. 

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Layout:

·         The Agra fort spreads in 94 acres, has semi-circular shape, lies parallel to the Yamuna river and has 17 feet high walls.

·        Four gates: These gates are present in four sides in fort.

1.      The Delhi gate: west side of fort and considered the grandest of the four gates. Gate built during Akbar reign and used red sandstone for it.

2.      The Lahore gate: also known as “Amar singh gate”. Gate built during Akbar reign and used red sandstone for it. Tourists enter this gate.

3.     The Khizri gate: open to the Yamuna river.

4.      The elephant gate: inner way to the fort, also known as Hathi pole. Two life sized stone elephants with their riders present.

·         The Agra fort enclosed by a double battlemented massive wall of red sandstone.

Historical sites inside the Agra fort:

·         Jahangir Hauz (Tank): tank built by Jahangir in 1610, a monolithic tank used for bathing. Now, it is a part of Akbar Bengali mahal.

·        Shah Jahani Mahal: lies between white marbles khas mahal and red sandstone Jahangir mahal.

·         The Muthaamman Burz (Shah Burz) and Jharokha: The Muthaamman Burz Built by Mughal emperor Akbar and used red sandstone, and Jharokha (to see sunrise) built by Jahangir and used white marble.

·         The Shish Mahal: built during the reign of Shajahan as a part of summer palace. Most distinct features are glass mosaic work done on its walls and ceiling.

·         Nagina Masjid: built during the reign of Shajahan and used white marble only.

·        Diwan-i- Aam: also known as hall of audience. made by red sandstone.

·        Jahangir palace: built by Akbar for his son Jahangir and the largest part of the fort complex.

·         Moti masjid: also known as Pearl mosque. built during the reign of Shajahan and used white marble only.

·        Bengali Mahal: built by Akbar, later modified by Shahjahan.

·         Diwan-i-khas: private palace.

How to reach:

·         By Air: 1. Kheria airport is present in Agra, has seasonal commercial airport and only 13km from Agra city

              2. The airport is connected only by Air-India flights from New Delhi.

·         By Train: 1. Agra is situated on the Delhi-Mumbai route and Delhi-Chennai route.

           2. There are regular train to Agra from cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Gwalior and Jhansi.

           3. There are five railway station in Agra such as Agra cant station (main station), Agra fort station, Raja Ki mandi, Agra city and Idgah railway station.

·         By Road: 1. Agra is connected to Delhi by NH2 and Yamuna expressway and take drive time 4-5 hours.

                 2.  Agra is connected to Jaipur by NH11 and take drive time 4-5 hours

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                 3. Agra is connected to Gwalior by NH3 and take drive time 2 hours.

Tourist guidelines:

                      Time: Sunrise to Sunset                   

                   Entry fee at Agra Fort:

S.No.	Tourist Type	Amount
1.	Foreign Tourist	550/-
2.	Domestic Tourist	40/-

Tourism Bungalow run by U.P. Tourism:

Hotel	Address	Phone No.
Rahi tourist bungalow	Near Raja ki mandi rly station	Ph. 0562-2851720
Hotel  Tajkhema	Near eastern gate of Taj Mahal	Ph. 0562-2330140
Shilpgram reaturant & bar	Taj nigari near eastern gate of Taj Mahal	Ph. 0562-2330140