When it comes to the main attractions of India, the famous Taj Mahal tomb immediately comes to mind. However, not everyone knows that 2.5 kilometres away from it is the equally interesting and more ancient Red Fort Agra, or the Red Fort as it is also known. This magnificent medieval structure served as the residence and refuge of all the rulers of the Mughal Empire until 1638. We have compiled all the useful information about the history of the Red Fort and its treasures.
History of Red Fort
The original version of the fort was a very modest fortress and part-time residence of the sultans of the medieval Lodi dynasty. The structure was built of light-coloured stone. In 1526, Timurid Babur settled here and slightly rebuilt the palace, adding a couple of towers and a baoli aqueduct to deliver water to the fortress.
In 1558, the new ruler of India, Akbar the Great, made Agra the capital and began construction of the Red Fort. By 1571, high red sandstone defence walls were erected and the interior was beautified. Padishah Akbar favoured a combination of snow-white marble, gold and red stone. According to the surviving records, it can be understood that more than 4,000 people were involved in the construction of the fort.
The rebuilding of the fort was completed in the XVII century by Akbar's grandson Shah Jahan. Apart from the fort, he built the beautiful Taj Mahal in memory of his faithful wife Mumtaz Mahal.
The fort was completed by Shah Jahan, Akbar's grandson.
In the second half of the 17th century, Shah Jahan's son staged a coup, imprisoned his father in the fort and moved the capital back to Delhi.
From 1761 to 1774, Agra was ruled by the principality of Bharatpur, who managed to wrest the fort from the Mughals.
In the early 18th century, the fort was captured by the Maratha Empire. After that it changed hands many times between the Marathas and their enemies until the British came to India in 1803. In 1857, a popular uprising of the Sipayas against the British rule took place in the fort. It was followed by a century of direct rule in India by Britain.
Today, Agra and the fort itself is home to an Indian military base, so part of the area is closed to tourists. The underground tunnels under the fort are also closed to the public.
Layout of Agra Fort
Photo: sarangib. Source: Pixabay
The area of all the fort's structures is 94 acres and the defence wall is 2.4 kilometres long. The fort is semi-circular in shape and faces the Yamuna River as its facade. The height of the red walls is 21 metres. In ancient times, the fort was surrounded by a moat of water where hungry packs of crocodiles swam - an excellent defence against invasion.
Powerful ramparts have bastions with loopholes, embrasures and special passages between them. The fortress has four gates, two of them - Delhi Gate and Lahore Gate - are considered to be the main gates."
The Delhi Gate was built in 1568 and was used for the passage of the royal retinue with the monarch himself. They are elaborately decorated with inlaid white precious marble. Today, the Delhi Gate is used by the military and tourists enter the fort through the Amar Singh Gate (the second name of Lahore Gate).
The fort has mosques, gardens and the former royal quarters accessible to the public.
Architecture and attractions of the Red Fortress
Hauz-e-Jahangir, or Shah Jahangir's bathtub, is a 2.4 metre diameter red stone tank, which was filled with pink water during the Padishah's lifetime so that the ruler could refresh himself in the summer heat.
Jahangiri Mahal is a red sandstone palace built by Great Akbar for his 36 beautiful wives. The structure is a fusion of Indian and Muslim architecture.
Khas Mahal is a white stone palace decorated with rich stone inlay. The floors are finished with smooth white tiles of imported marble.
Ghazni gates are made of wood of the Indian variety of deodar cedar. They are made of octagonal and hexagonal panels that were once fastened together without metal staples or nails.
Separately, the Chain of Justice, or Zanjir-e-Adl, is worth noting. The ruler Jahangir established a special place where a thick chain of pure gold was placed. Any person whose rights had been violated could come to it and shake the chain so that his case would be brought to the attention of special judges.
How to get to the former capital of the Mughal Empire
The nearest airport, Keriya Airport, is located 13 kilometres from Agra. It is used by both military and civilian flights. Air India flights operate from Delhi to here. The flight takes just under an hour. One can reach the city from the airport comfortably by taxi.
The railway network connects Agra with Delhi and other major cities: Jaipur, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Gwalior. There are five railway stations in the city. One can reach from the station to the fort by taxi or by hiring a cycle rickshaw.
Best time to visit and how to behave as a tourist
Photo: sarangib. Source: Pixabay
The fortress is open on weekends, but if you choose a weekday, there will be fewer visitors. When travelling to India, consider the weather conditions - it's very hot and humid in summer, so it will be difficult to enjoy your trip. From November to February, Agra is dry and relatively cool.
Tourist Memo:
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No camera drones can be used inside the Agra Fort without special permission.
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If you visit the Taj Mahal and Agra on the same day, you will get a nice discount on your ticket to the fort.
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Any video shooting in the fort is allowed only with the permission of the local authorities and after paying the fee.
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There are heavy fines for littering and attempting to enter the closed military base area that occupies the northern part of the fort."
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Take water with you and beware of the ubiquitous pickpockets."
Interesting Facts
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The Red Fort of Agra appears in the short story "The Sign of Four" by Arthur Conan Doyle."
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Egyptian pop star Hisham Abbas filmed his music video in the area.
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The famous Kohinoor diamond was kept within the walls of the Red Fort for some time.
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The main towers and walls of the fort are built of local sandstone because the ruler Akbar was very fond of the colour red.
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More than 4,000 labourers and craftsmen worked to build the fort."
The Red Fort of Agra symbolises the valour and architectural prowess of the ancient Mughal owners of North India. The mighty towers and walls of the fort once inspired fear and awe in the enemies before the power of the great padishahs. Today, the city is protected by UNESCO and keeps its ancient secrets under the pressure of throngs of tourists from all over the world.
