In continuation of my study on ‘Agra, a City of Historical Significance’, I would like to mention the magnificent
Red Fort or the Agra Fort, which signifies the peak of Mughal architecture. It is so called because it has been
built of thick and strong walls of red sandstone. Built over many centuries under different regimes, it is the product of many different architects who each worked on only a small portion of the whole. Abul Fazal tells us “the foundation of the Fort was laid in an hour”. So, in 1565 A.D. Akbar started the construction of the massive fort, as he wanted to build an impregnable fort, which “would be worthy of the dignity of his dominions”.
The construction of the Agra Fort was Akbar’s first great architectural venture in Hindustan. It also has contributions from Jahangir, Shah Jahan and even Aurangzeb. It was built as a watchman of Akbar’s mighty empire in
place of Badalgarh Fort, which was a strong foothold of the Rajput rulers. Agra is the gateway to Rajasthan, M.P. and to the vast valley’s of river Jamuna and Chambal, hence each dynasty wanted Agra as a part of their empire.
Agra Fort houses the official and residential places of various Mughal rulers. It is in the shape of semi-circle having a half circle of about 1 and a half-mile. Double thin walls surround it. Akbar was punctilious in honoring local sentiments, hence the participation in the ceremony of the Rajput Raja of neighboring Kiraoli was necessary to assume that the fort be protected by the erosion of the river. It is surrounded by 2 big ditches, the outer and the inner. The inner ditch still exists while the outer has been filled and has a road built in its place. Both the ditches were filled with dreaded crocodiles and tortoises during the Mughal rule, so as to protect it from the enemy.
The building was constructed under the faithful superintendence of Abul Fazal, former Akbar’s commander-in-chief and Governor of Kabul. He said the total money spent to build the great fort was 35 lakhs, though Badauni says it costed about 3 crores. It took 8 years to complete the building and when the whole complex was ready, it may not have been the most beautiful but it was certainly the most imposing monument in Agra. The Fort had about 500 stone buildings though only a few ones exist today. From time to time, the place had to bear the pangs of many invasions. Today, it may not be as glamorous as it appeared one day, yet it deserves keen observation of the visitors.
The fort had main gates namely Amar Singh Gate, Delhi Gate, Water
gate or Darshani Gate or Darwaza. Among the 4, the former 2 are still in use, while the latter 2 have been permanently closed. The main buildings of the Red Fort are as:
Amar Singh Gate, Jahangiri’s Palace, Grape Garden, Khas Mahai, Diwan-i-Khas, Sheesh Mahal, Musamman Burj or Samman Burj, Nageena Masjid or Gem Mosque, Meena Masjid, Ladies Bazaar, Moti Masjid, Delhi Gate or Elephant Gate, Northern Gate (now closed), Jama Masjid and Horse of Amar Singh.
The Fort looks exquisite, massive and majestic. Anyone who visits it realizes the richness and culture of India. Today, these monuments may not be the most desirable places to go yet if one does visit them, it leaves its reflections on their lives thorough generations. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Agra Red.
More summaries about the Red Fort, Agra