Introduction

Agra Fort is located on the right bank of the Yamuna River in the city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh. The construction of this massive structure began in 1565, under Akbar, and continued till the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan, when it changed from a principally military structure to a more luxurious palace. This red sandstone fortress encompasses the imperial city of the Mughal emperors, within its 2.5km long enclosure walls. It is one of the most important and robustly built strongholds of the Mughals, embellished with number of richly decorated buildings encompassing the imposing Mughal style of art and architecture. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled city.

History of Agra Fort

Following the First Battle of Panipat in 1526, Babur took residence in the fort, occupying the palace of the defeated Ibrahim Lodi. During his stay, he constructed a baoli (step well) within its premises. His son and successor, Humayun, was crowned in the fort in 1530. However, he suffered a major defeat at Bilgram in 1540 at the hands of Sher Shah Suri. The fort remained under the control of the Suris until 1555, when Humayun reclaimed it. A year later, Adil Shah Suri's general, Hemu, recaptured Agra and pursued its fleeing governor to Delhi, where he confronted the Mughals in the Battle of Tughlaqabad.

Recognizing Agra’s strategic importance, Akbar made it his capital upon his arrival in 1558. According to his court historian, Abul Fazl, the existing structure, known as 'Badalgarh,' was a dilapidated brick fort. Akbar ordered its reconstruction, using red sandstone sourced from the Barauli area in Rajasthan’s Dhaulpur district. The foundation was laid by architects, and the fort was rebuilt with bricks at its core and sandstone covering its outer surfaces. The massive project involved around 4,000 builders working daily for eight years, culminating in its completion in 1573.

The fort underwent further transformation under Akbar’s grandson, Shah Jahan. Unlike his predecessors, Shah Jahan preferred white marble over red sandstone, an architectural choice evident in the structures he added. His most renowned creation, the Taj Mahal, was built in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. However, in 1658, following his defeat by his son Aurangzeb, Shah Jahan was imprisoned within the very fort he had embellished.

For 13 years, the fort was controlled by the Jat rulers of Bharatpur, who constructed 'Ratan Singh ki Haveli' within its walls. In the early 18th century, the Marathas seized the fort, but control over it repeatedly shifted between them and their adversaries. After their crushing defeat at the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 at the hands of Ahmad Shah Abdali, the Marathas temporarily lost their grip on the region. They ultimately reclaimed the fort under Mahadji Shinde in 1785. However, their control was short-lived, as they surrendered it to the British during the Second Anglo-Maratha War in 1803.

The fort later became a significant site during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The uprising marked the downfall of the British East India Company’s rule, leading to direct governance of India by the British Crown for nearly a century.

Construction of the Agra Fort

Agra Fort was constructed on the remains of an ancient site known as Badalgarh. The fort has survived through the onslaught of time, nature and men. The fort spreads over an area of about 94 acres of land. At present, there exist more than two dozens of monuments in the Fort. Abul Fazl, a court historian of Akbar, records that 5000 buildings were built here beautifully in Bengali and Gujarati style. Armed with massive double walls and punctuated by four gateways. Most of these buildings have now disappeared. Later, the British destroyed most of the buildings for raising barracks. Hardly 30 Mughal buildings have survived on the south-eastern side. Of these, the "Delhi Gate", "Akbari Gate" and "Bengali Mahal", are representative of buildings raised during the reign of Akbar. The fort houses palaces, courts, mosques, baths, gardens and gracious pavilions within its premises. This fort blends the Hindu and central Asian architectural styles very beautifully. Thus, being an excellent example of Mughal architecture, the Agra Fort is one of the few UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

The construction of the Agra fort started in 1565, when the initial structures were built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar and subsequently taken over by his grandson Shah Jahan. Later on, he added most of the marble creations to the fort. The layout of the fort was determined by the course of the river, which flowed alongside in those days. The main axis is parallel to the river and the walls bridge out towards the city. The fort is crescent shaped, flattened on the east with a long, nearly straight wall facing the river. Double castellated ramparts of red sandstone, punctuated at regular intervals by bastions, ring it. A 9m wide and 10m deep moat surrounds the outer wall. An imposing 22m high inner wall imparts a feeling of invincible defensive construction.

The well-shaped stones are linked by iron rings. It has two big ornamental gateways, one each on its southern and western sides. There is a moat filled with water around the fort in order to ward off enemies. The fort originally had four gates, two of which, were later walled up. Today, visitors are allowed entry only through the Amar Singh gate. The Jahangir Mahal is the first notable building that is visible to the visitors, as they enter through the Amar Singh gate. Akbar built Jahangir Mahal as the women"s quarters. It is built of stone and is simply decorated on the exterior. Ornamental Persian verses have been carved on a large stone bowl, which were probably used to contain fragrant rose water.

Attractions of Agra Fort

Among the fascinating structures that are found within the fort is the Moti Masjid, which is a white marble mosque similar to a perfect pearl. Then, there is also the red sandstone Jahangiri Mahal built by Akbar for his Hindu queen, Jodhabai. The Diwan-i-Am, the Diwan-i-Khas, Khaas Mahal, Sheesha Mahal-the Palace of Mirrors, the Pearl mosque, the Nagina Masjid, the Garden of Grapes, the Fish Pavilion and the Musamman Burj - where Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan died in 1666 A.D., are the other monuments in the fort complex.

Jahangir’s Hauz or Tank is one of the attractions of the fort. This monolithic bathing tank, known as “Hauz-e-Jahangir,” stands 5 feet high, with a diameter of 8 feet and a circumference of 25 feet. An inscription in Persian on the outer rim identifies it by name. The tank was originally discovered near the courtyard of Akbar’s palace. In 1843, it was relocated in front of the “Diwan-e-Am,” and in 1862, it was moved again to the public garden (Company Bagh), where it suffered significant damage.

Jahangir’s Chain of Justice is an important site within the fort that marks the location where Mughal Emperor Jahangir established the “Zanjir-i-Adl” or the Chain of Justice around 1605 AD. As recorded in his memoirs, Jahangir’s first order upon ascending the throne was to install the chain, ensuring that anyone seeking justice could shake it to draw his attention if officials delayed or acted unjustly. The chain, crafted from pure gold, measured 80 feet in length and featured 60 bells.

Shah Jahan has built the "Khass Mahal", which is made entirely of marble. It demonstrates distinctive Islamic-Persian features. These are well blended with a striking range of Hindu features such as "Chhatris". It was supposed to be the emperor`s sleeping room or "Aramgah". The Khaas Mahal provides the most successful example of painting on a white marble surface.

On the left of the Khaas Mahal, is the "Musamman Burj", built by Shah Jahan. It is a beautiful octagonal tower with an open pavillion. It boasts of its openness, elevation and cool evening breezes. This is where Shah Jahan lay on his deathbed, gazing at the Taj.

Sheesh Mahal or the Glass Palace is the finest example of decorative water engineering in the hamams. It is believed to have been the harem or the dressing room and its walls are inlaid with tiny mirrors. These are the best specimens of the glass-mosaic decoration in India.

To the right of Sheesh Mahal is the "Diwan-I-Khaas", the hall of Private Audience. The marble pillars are inlaid with semi-precious stones in delightful floral patterns.

The "Diwan-I-Am" used to house the famous Peacock Throne, which was taken to the Red Fort when Shahjahan moved his capital to Delhi. The throne alcove is of richly decorated white marble.

Nagina Masjid, place within Agra fort, was built by Shah Jahan. It was the private mosque of the ladies of the court. Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque is the prettiest structure at Agra Fort. It was built for his ministers and court men. The building is presently closed for visitors. Near Moti Masjid is "Mina Masjid", which seems to have been constructed by Shahjahan strictly for his private use.