A Visitor's Guide to Agra Fort
Plan Your Visit
Introduction to Agra
Agra is a historic city on the banks of the Yamuna river in Uttar Pradesh. From early times, it was a center of commerce, education, handicrafts, and transport. The city was founded by Rajputs in the medieval period and was later rebuilt as the capital of the Delhi Sultanate by Sikander Lodi in 1505. After the Mughal invasion, Agra became one of the most important cities in India, serving as the administrative capital and residence of different Emperors. Today, the city is world-famous for two magnificent monuments: the Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal.
Agra Fort is a great monument of India, constructed with red sandstone. It is situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, approximately 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. While the exact construction period is debated, historians believe it was built during 1565-1573. The idea for the fort originated with Emperor Akbar, who laid its foundation in 1565. The fort we see today includes significant additions by his grandson, Emperor Shah Jahan, who favored white marble.
It is a crescent-shaped fort, flattened on the east with a straight wall facing the river. The fort’s massive walls rise 69 ft (21 meters) in height and measure 2.5 km in circumference. The wall has two main gates: the Delhi Gate and the Amar Singh Gate. The original entrance was through the Delhi Gate, which leads to the inner Hathi Pol or Elephant Gate.
How to Get There
Agra is well-connected with the rest of India by road, rail, and air.
- By Bus: State transport and many private bus services are available from major cities like Delhi, Jaipur, and Mumbai.
- By Train: Agra has several major railway stations (Agra Cantt, Agra Fort) with excellent connectivity. Many high-speed and express trains connect Agra to the national rail network.
Where to Stay / Accommodation
Accommodation is not a problem in Agra. A wide range of government tourist hotels, luxury hotels, and budget-friendly guesthouses are available to suit every traveler's budget.
When to Visit
The best time to visit Agra is from October to March. The weather during these months is pleasant and ideal for sightseeing.
What to See Inside the Fort
The fort contains splendid mosques and palaces built by two generations of creative builders. Here are some of the most interesting places to see inside:
- Jahangiri Mahal: Built by Akbar for his son Jahangir, it is the largest private residence in the fort and a beautiful example of mixed Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles.
- Khas Mahal: A private palace built entirely of white marble by Shah Jahan. It is a stunning example of Islamic-Persian architecture, with beautiful pavilions and paintings on the marble surface.
- Musamman Burj: An octagonal tower with an open pavilion, built by Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It offers a beautiful view of the Taj Mahal, and this is where Shah Jahan spent his last years as a captive of his son, Aurangzeb, gazing at the Taj.
- Diwan-i-Khas: The Hall of Private Audience, where the emperor would welcome important guests and dignitaries.
- Sheesh Mahal: The "Glass Palace," which served as the royal dressing room, its walls intricately decorated with countless tiny mirrors.
Shopping in Agra
Shopping in the city of Agra is a fun experience. One can buy both traditional and modern items. Agra is very famous for its marble inlay work (Pietra Dura), leather goods, handicrafts, and of course, the famous sweet 'Petha'.
Special Notes on Culture & Food
As far as food is concerned, Agra is famous for its rich Mughlai cuisine. Be sure to try local specialties like kebabs, biryanis, and chaat. For a sweet treat, you cannot leave without tasting the local delicacy, 'Agra ka Petha'. The people are proud of their heritage and give great importance to education and their cultural and religious aspects.
Difficult Words and Their Meanings
- Administrative
- Relating to the management and running of a business, organization, or government.
- Captive
- A person who has been taken prisoner or is confined.
- Circumference
- The distance around the edge of a circle or a circular object.
- Commerce
- The activity of buying and selling goods and services.
- Invasion
- An act of entering a country or region with an armed force to occupy it.
- Medieval
- Relating to the Middle Ages (in Europe, roughly from the 5th to the 15th century).
- Monuments
- Statues, buildings, or other structures built to commemorate a famous person or event.
- Octagonal
- Having eight sides and eight angles.
- Pavilions
- Ornate or decorative buildings, often used for shelter or entertainment in a garden or park.
- Perceived
- To become aware or conscious of something; to see or notice.
- Splendid
- Magnificent, very impressive, or beautiful.
- Sultanate
- A state or country ruled by a Sultan (a Muslim sovereign).