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Red Fort of Agra

The Red Fort of Agra also known as Lal Qila lies 2.5 km down river from the Taj Mahal. Built to defended the lands of Agra with imposing red sand stone walls, huge fortified entrances but beautiful detailed state rooms once inside. Agra is often only regarded as the home of the Taj but the Red Fort of Agra should also be consider as of equal importance and should certainly be visited on a trip to Agra even if it is only a day trip.

The position of the Red Fort of Agra had a permanent brick fortress from the mid tenth century, but it was during the era of Akbar when the capital was moved from Delhi to Agra in 1558 that the Agra fort was vastly expanded. The original Agra Fort took 8 years to constructed and employed over 1.5 million works and slaves.

 

Much of the present day fortification were constructed by Akbar's grandson Shah Jahan who's inspired vision included the Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan designed ornate state rooms with beautiful carved and stone inlaid decoration while still enhancing the defensive fortifications of the castle. Shah Jahan rein came to and end not by an enemy outside the Red Fort of Agra's solid walls but from his own son who imprisoned him in a section of the fort which over looked the white Taj. Shah Jahan died overlooking his monument dedicated to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal and was burred next to her.

 

The vast fornication complex of the Red Fort of Agra covers 94 acres and could be more considered a fortified city than a purely a defensive stronghold. The red fort of Agra was constructed from the red sand stone is consider first phase Mughal architecture with other prominent examples include Delhi Fort and Humayun tomb both in Delhi.

 

The fort has a semicircular layout with the diameter extending along the highly polluted Yamuna river, the “khizri-gate” (water gate) exits on to the banks of the Yamuna River. The semi-circular exterior walls have double ramparts inter-spaced with huge circular bastions. The fort has four entrances each with multiple gate ways and defensive arrangements. The perimeter walls have an average height of 21m and the fort was only ever breached once, by the English during the 1857 Indian Rebellion.

 

The entrance fee to the Red Fort of Agra is Rs.300 but there is a RS.50 discount on presentation of the entrance ticket to the Taj. There are comprehensive audio guides which cost Rs. 100 to hire during a visit. The rickshaw ride from the Taj should cost RS.50 but decline any free rides with included shopping trips.

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Jodhpur Jodhpur Introduction Why is Jodhpur Blue? Weather of Jodhpur Jaswant Thada Meherangarh Fort Inside Meherangarh	Amritsar Amritsar Introduction Amritsar Weather Golden Temple Pakistan - India boarder Flag Down Ceremony	Shimla Introduction Things To Do When to Visit? Shimla - Kalka Railway Jakhoo Hill and Temple The Ridge Scandal Point	Centra Portugal Evora Fatima Tomar NazarE Peniche Agra Agra Introduction Agra Weather The Taj Mahal Agra Red Fort I'tmad-ud-Daula's Tomb Agra Town Marble of the Taj	McLeod Ganj Accommodation Guide Introduction Getting to McLeod Delhi to McLeod Bus Gaggal Airport Why are Buddhist in McLeod Flic en Flac Mauritius Mauritius or Zanzibra
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One of the imposing gates of the Red Fort of Agra Inside the Red Fort of Agra, India The main walls of the Red Fort are 21 meters high