Agra Fort Travel

Introduction

Agra Fort is another UNESCO World Heritage site located in Agra. Located around 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal, it is actually a walled city. It is another gem in the crown of heritage attractions in the country. Agra Fort is the sight that has seen the death of the great ruler Shah Jahan. During those days he was deposed and restrained by Aurangzeb his own son in the same fort.

History

Originally the sight was a brick fort which belonged to Hindu Sikarwar Rajputs. In 1080 AD a Ghaznavide force captured it. It was Sikandar Lodi who lived in the fort as the first ruler of the region. Later, after his death in 1517 Ibrahim Lodi lived in the fort till 1526. He got killed in a war in 1526. Till 1558, this was a brick fort and Akbar gave it a new face with bricks and sandstone. It was the reign of Shah Jahan when this massive fort came in to its current state.

It is believed that shah Jahan was influenced with buildings made from white marble so he destroyed many inside the complex to build some new ones. Another legend states that Shah Jahan died in the fort while looking at Taj Mahal.

Architectures and developments

Sprawled on an area of 94-acre (380,000 m2), the fort is in semicircular shape. Walls of the fort are seventy feet high. The fort has four gates on its four sides with one Khizri gate that opens to the river. Delhi Gate and the Lahore Gate are two other notable gates in the fort. Miraculous architecture and fine art work makes it another wonder in the list of Mughal architectures. Life-sized statues and the fine art work of the fort is worth appreciating as in that era, such a fine work was all result of experience and hard work in the art.

Sites and structures

Anguri Bagh is an 85 square geometrically arranged. Apart from that one can explore Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Golden Pavilions, Jahangiri Mahal, Khas Mahal, Macchi Bhawan, Mina Masjid, Moti Masjid, Musamman Burj, Takht-i-Jahangir, Nagina Masjid, Naubat Khana, Rang Mahal and Shahi Burj.

There is also Shah Jahani Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and Zenana Mina Bazaar which are amazing places to explore during Agra Fort visit.

How to reach

Reaching this amazing fort is quite easy as the fort is well-linked with roads. You only need to follow the right road and your will be exploring the magnificent Agra Fort.