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Agra Fort is a Unesco
World Heritage place 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 exactly described as
a walled splendid city. Agra Fort is the most important fort in
India. The large Mughals Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir,
Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb lived here, and the country was
governed from here. It restricted the largest state treasury and
mint. It was visited by foreign ambassadors, travelers and the
highest dignitaries who participated in the making of history in
India.
Ever since Babur beaten and killed Ibrahin Lodi at Panipat in
1526, Agra played an important center of Mughal Empire. Akbar
chooses this city on the bank of River Yamuna as his capital and
proceeded to build a strong fortress for the purpose. It is said
that he destroyed the damaged old fort of Agra for the purpose
and raised this grand group of monuments in its place in red
sandstone. Started in 1565, it took eight years and thirty-five
lakh rupees to complete its construction and is second only to
Taj in Agra. Qasim Khan Mir Barr-u-Bahr supervised the
construction of this building.
The Agra fort is built beside the Yamuna River and stretches
almost 2.5 km. It consists of a wall built in red sandstone with
several buildings inside. Part of the Agra fort is still in use
by the Indian Army and are not accessible to the public, but
there's still enough left to get an insight on the way the
Mughals lived in the 16th century.
The Jahangiri Mahal:
This was built by Akbar as the women's quarters and the only
building that stay alive among the original palace buildings.
The double storied palace interestingly reflects a strong Hindu
power with protruding balconies and domed chhatries.
Khass Mahal:
This was built fully of marble and demonstrates distinctive
Islamic Persian features. This palace was considered to be as
Shah Jahan's sleeping quarters. The Mahal provides the most
successful example of paintings on a white marble surface. This
palace brings the later Mughal architecture to present age.
The Sheesh Mahal:
This is a creation of innumerable glass pieces and central
fountain. It is believed to have been the harem dressing room
and its walls are inlaid with small mirrors, which are the best
specimens of glass mosaic decoration in India.
The Musamman Burj:
This is a beautiful octagonal tower with an open exhibition
area. The inlay work here is exquisite, particularly above the
pillars. This was where Shah Jahan lay on his deathbed, gazing
at the Tajmahal.
Diwan-i- Khaas:
This was the hall of private audience. The marble pillars are
inlayed with semi-precious stones in gorgeous floral patterns.
Diwan-i-Am:
This structure has arches, which are covered with white lime
polish for a smooth finish, has triple arched royal canopy with
lavish pietra dura decoration.
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