The high red sandstone ramparts of this great monument stretch for almost 2.5 kilometres, dominating a bend in the river Yamuna, northwest of the Taj Mahal. The foundation of this majestic citadel was laid by the Emperor Akbarand it developed as a stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. The curved bastions of the huge walls are interrupted by impressive gates of which only the Amar Singh gate is now open to the public. The original and grandest entrance was through the Delhi Gate, which leads to the inner portal called the Hathi Pol or Elephant Gate.


The Agra Fort houses the Royal Pavilions, which were designed to catch the cool breeze wafting across the river. Other attractions comprise the Macchi Bhawan or the Fish Palace, the Hammam-i-Shahi or the Royal Bath, the Nagina Masjid or the Gem Mosque, and the Zenana Meena Bazaar, where the ladies of the court would browse through goods like silk, jewellery and brocade. Past the Chitor gate, installed in 1568, is the Diwan-i-Khas, or the Hall of Private Audience. Here, the emperor would receive kings, dignitaries and ambassadors. Tucked away by the west wall of the hall is the Mina Masjid or the Heavenly mosque, where Shahjahan prayed when he was imprisoned in the Fort by his son Aurangzeb. A doorway from the rear of the Diwan-i-Khas leads to the Mussaman Burj, a two-storeyed pavilion, where Shahjahan caught the last glimpse of the Taj Mahal before he died. Surrounded by a verandah, the elegant chamber has a lattice-screen balustrade with ornamental niches; exquisite inlay covers almost every surface and a marble chhatri (umbrella) on top adds the finishing touch.


The Khas Mahal, or the Private Palace, was used by the emperor as a sleeping chamber, and is designed for comfort, with cavities in the room to insulate against the heat. The Mahal is flanked by two golden pavilions. Other ornate palaces within the Fort are the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), the Shah Jahani Mahal (Shahjahan's Palace), Jehangiri Mahal (Jehangir's Palace) and the Akbari Mahal (Akbar's Mahal). These palaces are hybrid in design, some are distinctly Mughal in style, while others like the Jahangiri Mahal are almost entirely Hindu in their interior design. A monument steeped in history, the Agra Fort is a fitting tribute to the genius of the three generations of emperors, who used it as their stronghold.


Major Attractions
The fort contains splendid mosques and palaces in red sandstone and white marble built by two generations of creative builders during the time of Akbar and later Jehangir and Shahjahan. The major attraction at the fort are : Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) Nagina Masjid & Mina Masjid Macchi Bhavan Khas Mahal Shish Mahal Shah Jahani Mahal Zenana Mina Bazaar


How to Reach

• By air
  Agra is on the popular regular tourist route Delhi/Agra/Khajuraho/Varanasi and return. Flights connect Agra to Delhi, Khajuraho and Varanasi.
• By rail
  Agra lies on the Delhi to Mumbai broad - gauge railway line. Express trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, and Chennai halt at Agra.
• By road
  Agra is connected to Delhi, Rajasthan and other cities of Uttar Pradesh by an excellent bus service.