AGRA FORT
AGRA FORT
- Situated just 3km northwest of the Taj Mahal, its sister monument, the Agra Fort, served as the main residence for the Mughal emperors before the capital was moved to Delhi. This walled city of red sandstone, situated on the Yamuna River in Agra was established by Abdul Fath Jalal al-Din Muhammad, better known as Akbar ‘the great’. He was the third Mughal emperor and was inaugurated at the tender age of 13. He reigned from 1556 – 1605 CE and due to his numerous accomplishments – amongst them his record of unbeaten military campaigns – he was given the title of ‘the great’.
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The establishment of the fort was yet another of his feats which he commissioned in 1565CE and reportedly took eight years to construct. It is an enormous structure, surrounded by impenetrable walls. They stretch along the banks of the Yamuna River on the one side and have a total circumference of about 2.5 km maintaining its 21m height throughout its course. There are two main entry points, namely; the Amar Singh Gate (now the only means of access), and the Delhi Gate – having been the original entrance – which is beautifully decorated with complex marble inlays.
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The fort remains a fine example of Mughal design; a combination of Persian, Turkish and Asian architecture. Due to its red sandstone walls, it is also referred to as the Red Fort.
