The Agra Fort also known as agra ka kila reflects the grandeur and the panache of the Mughal Era. It is one of the most important historical monuments in the city of Agra in India. The fort was the main residence of the Mughal monarchs till the year 1638. This was the year when Mughal capital was shifted to Delhi from Agra.
In the contemporary times the Agra Fort is considered to be one of the most important historical monuments of India. Thousands of tourist visit this monument every year to take a good look at the architecture the culture and the basic spirit of the Mughal Empire back in the 16th and 17th century.
Agra fort was built by
In the year 1558 the Agra Fort caught the attention of the most important ruler of the Mughal Empire – Akbar the Great. He realized the strategic position of the fort and decided to make it his principal residence the imperial city of the Mughals. At that time the fort was in a completely ruined condition.
Akbar rebuilt this fort using a massive amount of red sandstone which he brought from Bareilly which is now in the Dhaulpur district in Rajasthan. No wonder the Agra Fort is also popularly referred to as the Red Fort in Agra. A message part of fort was built and developed by Akbar during his rule. The Jahangir Palace is one of the specimens that he had built during his lifetime. This was a private palace for his son Jahangir.
In a later date Agra Fort or The Red Fort was further develop and beautified by Shah Jahan – Akbar’s grandson.
Timing of Agra Fort
Being one of the most popular sightseeing locations of Agra, the Red Fort is open for the tourists round the week. You can visit to the fort anytime of the week beginning from Monday to Sunday. As sanctioned by the concerned authority of the place, tourists from any part of the world can visit the fort anytime during the day hours.
You can visit any part of the Fort and spend good amount of time over there to witness the internal architecture, the designing, the layout and go through the other historical facts mentioned within the fort. However tourists are strictly prohibited to visit the Fort after the daylight hours.
Agra Fort Information
As the archaeologists of India has pointed out the Red Fort has its origin in the Badalgarh Fort. This fort had been relentlessly captured by kings and monarchs of different era and different dynasties. As history goes Mahmud of Ghazni was the first to attack the fort and nearly destroyed it. Then it was the Rajput Chauhans who restored the Fort and used it for quite a while.
In a later date this forth was captured by the Lodhi Rulers who ruled Delhi at the time. In the year 1526 in the famous historical Battle of Panipat the Lodhis were defeated and the fort was then captured by the victorious ruler Babur – the first of the Mughal Kings to have stepped on the heartland of India. In a later date his successors Emperor Akbar and Shah Jahan claimed the fort and built it to its current grandeur.
How to Reach Agra Fort: (Air Road and Train)
To visit the Agra Fort or the Lal Qila you must reach Agra first. The city of Agra is well connected to other parts of the nation through different routes of air and land.
You can avail the railway network of the trains to reach Agra at it railway station.
You can also take flight to the Agra Airport on the Kheria Air Force Station which happens to be a military base and is merely 13 Km away from the pivotal attraction of the city, The Taj Mahal.
If you are travelling from places in Northern India like Chandigarh, Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur etc you can also avail the bus network services to reach the city of Agra. Once inside the city any public transport will take you to the Agra Fort which happens to be well connected to all the other major parts of the city through a wonderfully effective land network.
Agra Fort Entrance Fee
The entrance fee for Agra Fort is Rs. 35 for Indian tourists. Foreign tourists need to pay Rs, 550 as their entrance fee to see the Fort. Children below the age of 15 can visit the Fort for free.
Important Structures inside the Agra Fort
In the opening of the discussion we have mentioned that Agra Fort is one of the most opulent monumental constructions of the Mughal Era. The Fort contains several halls, palaces and other monumental construction that were built in different points of the Mughal history.
- The very first one of them happens to be the Jahangir Mahal. This is a Red sandstone Palace that was built by Akbar the great for his son Jahangir.
- The second one in line will be Jahangir Hauz. This is a Monolithic tank or a bathtub that was built for Jahangir once again.
- The Bengali Mahal is the next destination in line this was a palace of Akbar which happened to have a number of secret underground passages.
- Once you are done with the first three the next destination for you is the Khas Mahal. Built by Shah Jahan this was a white Palace featuring several floral carving and etchings and also the famous Jaali styled windows. The position of the palace is such that it gives a clear view of the Taj Mahal in the distance.
- The Garden of the Grapes of the Angury Bagh is the famous garden built by the emperor Shah Jahan located in front of the Khas Mahal.
- Emperor Akbar spent the last few years of his life in the Agra Fort. This was Akbar Palace a construction still holds its former beauty.
- You must also with it the Sheesh Mahal which is a palace built of mirrors by Shah Jahan. It has tiny glass mosaic decorations old over.
- The next construction is Baber’s Baoli or the stepwell of Babar. This was the first modification of the Fort made by Emperor Babur.
- The next place you must check out is the Shahjahani Mahal which is the white marble palace depicting an octagonal tower, large halls and side room.
- The fort also holds the Nagina Masjid which was a place of worship initially built for the ladies of the fort. The Meena Bazaar below was one of the epic locations that staged the romance between Nurjahan and Jahangir.
- Do not forget to visit the deewan-e-khaas and the diwan-e-aam two main halls built by Shah Jahan for his subjects. The deewan-e-khaas happen to be a hall for the private audience however that is made up of expensive white marble. This is the same place that held the famous Peacock Throne which was the alcove of many precious stones and the famous Kohinoor Diamond.
Best time to visit Red Fort Agra
The best time to visit Agra Fort is between October and March. This is the time that marks the beginning or autumn, winter ad finally spring. The weather is at its best and going around the fort during the daytime is comfortable and fun. This is the time when the place attracts maximum tourists.
History of Agra Fort
The history of the Red Fort happens to be a rather glorious one. It has been one of the major eye witnesses of the glorious imperial rule of the Mughals. For a very long time it remained to be the main imperial city of the Mughals which is why the fort is the house to several stunning constructions.
Different emperors in the different points of the Mughal timeline had developed the fort and made his contributions. They still remain to be archaic historical etchings in the frame of time. Beginning with Babur till the time of Shah Jahan this fort has seen some major contributions of the Mughal emperors – which are still to be admired by the modern tourists. No wonder even though the Fort did pass to the hands of several other emperors from several other dynasties, Red Fort still remains to be an epitome of the grand Mughal rule in India. We still happen to relate the fort with the magnificent rule of the Mughal rulers.
Agra Fort Map
Attractions nearby Red Fort Agra
The Agra fort also has a number of other attractions nearby. It has the Jama masjid within a distance 700m, the Itmad-ud-Dulah’s Tomb at about 3.5km, the Sadar bazaar at 3.5 km and the Mehtab Bagh at about 5.5 km.
You can also visit the Akbar’s tomb and the Sikandar Fort at 12.6 km from the fort and the Red Taj at 6.2 km. However it is the Taj Mahal that happens to be the biggest attraction nearby to the Red fort. The Taj is situated at a merely 2.9 km away from the Agra fort.
Light and sound show in Agra Fort
The light and sound show of the Agra fort is one of the major attractions of the fort. Organized by the UP Government this show takes you through the glorious and romantic history o the fort. It is organized after the sunset every day. This 30 minute show is considered to be one of the best light and sound show of the nation. Tickets costs around Rs.70 for Indian, Rs.200 for foreigners and Rs.40 for students.
