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The Fort in Agra is one of the earliest surviving Mughal buildings in the city. Agra Fort also represents the first major building project of Emperor Akbar, though remains of only a few buildings built by him now survive. Agra Fort was built on an earlier castle site in AD 1565-75, apart from other important units the massive fortress contains 'Jahangiri Mahal', 'Khass Mahal', 'Diwan-i-Khass', 'Diwan-i-Am', 'Machchhi Bhawan' and the breathtaking Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque. Many extant buildings were erected later on by Shah Jahan (AD 1630-55). Irregularly triangular on plan, Agra Fort is enclosed by a double battlemented 70-foot high wall of red sandstone, which is about 2-km in perimeter and interrupted by graceful curves and lofty bastions. Of its four gates, the most impressive is the Delhi Gate on the west. |
Akbar was the third Mughal emperor and undoubtedly the greatest. He was crowned the Mughal ruler in 1556 at the tender age of 14, when his father Humayun died suddenly. After Akbar consolidated his rule, he began constructing the Agra Fort, which coincided with the building of Humayun's tomb in Delhi. Akbar began the construction of this massive fort made of red sandstone on the banks of the Yamuna in 1565. The fort was ready by 1571, though additions were made up until the rule of Shahjahan, who was Akbar's grandson. During the time of Akbar, the fort mainly served military purpose, while by the time of Shahjahan it also served as a palace and court.
The fort's colossal double walls rise 20 m in height and measure 2.5 km in circumference. The fort is surrounded by a moat. The lofty battlements of the Agra fort cast its protective shadow over the far stretching mansions of nobles and princes built along the riverfront. The magnificent towers, bastions and ramparts and majestic gateways symbolized the confidence and power of the third Mughal emperor. The fort contains splendid palaces both in red sandstone and white marble built by two generations of prolific builders, Akbar and later on by Jahangir and Shahjahan. Of the nearly 500 Akbari buildings built in the Bengal and Gujarati traditions, only a few have survived, arrayed in a band on the river front.
Musamman Burj (an octagonal tower) is Agra fort's most romantic, ornamental pavilion wherein lived two beautiful and powerful Mughal queens-Nurjahan and Mumtaz Mahal. The quality of pietra dura (stone inlay work) decoration is fabulous and perfect. Here Shahjahan spent his last few years as a captive held by Aurangzeb and died looking at the Taj Mahal.
Diwan-I-Khas (hall of private audience) was built by Shahjahan in 1636-37. It is a small hall with double marble columns inlaid with pietra dura decoration. Here the Mughal emperor received important dignitaries or foreign ambassadors. On the terrace, in front of this hall, are two marble thrones. The black throne belongs to Jahangir who, as Prince Salim in rebellion against Akbar at Allahabad, had ordered it for himself. Below this terrace lies the grand courtyard of Machchi Bhawan, meant for harem functions.
Diwan-I-Aam or "hall for public audience".
The arches are covered with white lime polished to a smooth finish. The triple arched royal canopy has lavish pietra dura ornamentation. The famous Peacock Throne ordered by Shahjahan was kept here.
Moti Masjid or The pearl mosque, it's a three domes mosque in white marble raising their heads over the red sandstone wall. Moti Masjid is known for its sheer grandeur and perfect proportions. Moti Masjid was used by Shahjahan's family members and court chiefs for offering prayers.
Just above the Sheesh Mahal is situated the Mina Masjid, which is believed to be constructed by Shahjahan for strictly private use. The Mina Masjid is enclosed on all the four sides by high walls. The marble mosque has three small arches in its facade, which are plain and unadorned.
Opposite to the Diwan-E-Khas is the machhi bhawan, the fish enclosure. The emperor sat on the white marble platform facing the enclosure. It once contained pools and marble fountains, which were carried off by the Jat Raja Suraj Mal to his palace at Deeg. |
