Agra Fort Architecture

The heyday of Agra came with the reign of Humayun's son, Akbar The Great. During his reign, the main part of the Agra fort was built. Construction of the fort started in 1156 and was finished in 1605. Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal, erected most of the buildings inside the fortress.

  
The fort

• Built alongside the Yamuna river and stretches almost 2.5 km.
• Consists of a wall built in red sandstone and several buildings inside. 
• The wall has 2 gates, the Delhi Gate and the Amar Singh Gate.
• The tourist can only enter the fort via the Amar Singh Gate. 
• The gate was originally tiled. Although the colorful tile has been lost, the inlay patterns remain in the stone into which they were set. For defensive reasons, this gate is placed perpendicular to the walls.

Amar Singh Gate

Jahangiri Mahal

• Used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar. 
• This palace takes its name from Jahangir, but was built by Akbar sometime between 1560 and 1580.
• A splendid gateway leads to an interior courtyard surrounded by grand halls covered with profuse carvings on stone, heavily fashioned brackets, piers, and crossbeams. 
• This exotic medley and adventurous eclecticism suggests a daring approach in architecture.  Jahangiri Mahal is the most important building of the Akbari period in the Agra Fort.

Jhangiri Mahal

Inside View of Jhangiri Mahal

The Beautiful Jhangiri Mahal

  

Khas Mahal & Sheesh Mahal

Khas Mahal

• Windows closed with jali (intricately perforated decorative stone screens) present fabulous view of the riverfront.The two copper-roofed pavilions built in the Bengali traditions were meant for prominent ladies of the harem. On three sides of this garden are residential quarters of women
• Sheesh Mahal(mirror palace) or the royal hammam (bath) is decorated with myriad glass pieces and a central fountain. 
• Khas Mahal is a Private Pavilion dates back to 1636. This was probably a multifunction room that could have been used for various kinds of gatherings, or even for sleeping. It has ornate and intricate work on its marble pillars and bases.Musamman Burj 
• It is the most romantic, ornamental pavilion wherein lived two most beautiful and powerful Mughal queens-Nurjahan and Mumtaz Mahal 

Sheesh Mahal

Muthamman Burj 

• The quality of pietra dura decoration is fabulous and perfect. Here Shahjahan spent his last few years as a captive held by Aurangzeb. Shahjahan languished and dies looking at the Taj Mahal.

• On the east side of the fort, this octagonal pavilion looks out across the Jumna River and countryside, and downstream to the Taj Mahal. It is said to be the tower where Shah Jahan was imprisoned. 

Shah Jehan was imprisoned here

Muthamman Burj

Distant View

 Diwan-I-khas(Hall of Private audience) 

• is a small hall with double marble columns inlaid with pietra dura decoration. 
• Shahjahan built the structure between 1636 and 1637 and it is where the emperor used to receive the important dignitaries. 
• On the terrace, in front of this hall, are two marble thrones. 
• The black throne belongs to Jehangir 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 the harem functions. On another side stands a small mosque built for Shahjahan by Aurangzeb.
• This Hall of Private Audience was built in 1635 and was used to receive heads of state, ambassadors, and other diplomatic visitors to the Mugal court. 
• The open area below the terrace level constitutes a garden, the Anguri Bagh (Grape Garden). 
• Underneath the terrace is a barrack of rooms and chambers including hot-weather retreats and possibly a dungeon whose entry is now blocked.

Diwan -I- Khas

Mesmerizing

Detailed Work

Diwan -I- Aam

• The Hall of Public Audiences, made of red sandstone, was constructed by Shahjahan.
• It is here the emperor met officials and commoners and listened to the petitioners.
• The women of the palace could watch the court without being seen by others from the pavilion through jali (lattice) screens.  
• The open sided, cusped arched hall (64x23m) built of plaster on red stone, is very impressive. 
 

Diwan I am

Creative artwork

 Moti Masjid

• Further north stands the Moti Masjid (pearl mosque), its three domes in white marble raising their heads over the red sandstone wall. 
• Moti Masjid is known for its sheer grandeur and perfect proportions.

Moti Masjid

Scenic

Attaraction of Agra Fort