|
Agra is a medieval city situated
on the banks of the river Yamuna. It is generally
accepted that Sultan Sikandar Lodi, the Ruler of Delhi
Sultanate founded it in the year 1506. After the
sultan's death the city passed on to his son Sultan
Ibrahim Lodi. He ruled his Sultanate from Agra till he
fell fighting to
 abur in the First battle of Panipat
fought in 1526. It achieved fame as the capital
of the Mughal emperors from 1526 to 1658 and remains a
major tourist destination because of its many splendid
Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra
Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which are UNESCO
World Heritage Sites.
Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in
Agra, India. The fort is also known as Lal Qila, Fort
Rouge and Red Fort of Agra. It is about 2.5 km
northwest of its much more famous sister monument, the
Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as
a walled palatial city. It is the most important fort
in India. The great Mughals Babur, Humayun, Akbar,
Jehangir, Shah Jehan and Aurangzeb lived here, and the
country was governed from here. It contained the
largest state treasury and mint. It was visited by
foreign ambassadors, travellers and the highest
dignitaries who participated in the making of history
in India.
Sites and structures within Agra Fort
Anguri Bagh - 85 square,
geometrically arranged gardens
Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) - was used
to speak to the people and listen to petitioners and
once housed the Peacock Throne
Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) - was
used to receive kings and dignitary, features black
throne of Jehangir
Golden Pavilions - beautiful pavilions with
roofs shaped like the roofs of Bengali huts
Jehangiri Mahal - built by Akbar for his son
Jehangir
Khas Mahal - white marble palace, one of the
best examples of painting on marble
Macchi Bhawan (Fish Enclosure) - grand enclosure
for harem functions, once had pools and fountains
Mina Masjid (Heavenly Mosque)- a tiny mosque;
closed to the public
Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) - a private mosque of
Shah Jahan
Musamman Burj - a large, octagonal tower with a
balcony facing the Taj Mahal
Nagina Masjid (Gem Mosque) - mosque designed for
the ladies of the court, featuring the Zenana Mina
Bazaar (Ladies Bazaar) right next to the balcony, where
only female merchants sold wares
Naubat Khana (Drum House) - a place where the
king's musicians played
Rang Mahal - where the king's wives and
mistresses
Shah Jahani Mahal -It is situated between the
white marble khas-mahal and the red stone Jahangiri
mahal and is set, transitionally, in between these two
major residential complexes of two different ages. It
is the earliest attempt of the Mughal Emperor Shah
Jehan to convert an existing redstone building in
accordance with his taste. It is his earliest palace in
Agra Fort and has a large hall and side rooms, and an
octagonal tower on the river side.
The skeletal construction of brick masonry and red
stone was all white, stuccoed with a thick plaster and
colourfully painted in floral designs. The whole palace
once glistened white, like white marble.
|
