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The Agra Fort

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Agra Fort with strategic location on the right bank of the river Yamuna in the erstwhile capital of Mughal Emperor - Agra in Uttar Pradesh is a magnificent fort from its very structure and construction. The fort presents superb style and architecture which undoubtedly is the expression of Mughal architecture. The construction of Agra Fort was renovated and modified by all-time great Mughal Emperor Akbar on the strategic location of Badalgarh. Sikandar Lodi (circa 1487-1517) shifted his sultanate capital from Delhi to Agra. Soon after the death of Sikandar Lodi in the year 1517, his able son Ibrahim Lodi was the occupant of fort for 9 years, before he was overpowered and slayed in the battle of Panipat in the year 1526. It was only during the rule of Lodi dynasty that many magnificent palaces, wells as well as mosques were built within the fort premises.

According to the legend that holds Agra Fort, on one occasion, Mughal emperor Babur ordered his son Humayun to capture Agra fort. Soon after the capture of fort, Humayun apprehended huge treasure, which also includes the world renowned ‘Koh-i-noor’ diamond. Babur brought several renovations and enhancements within the premises of Agra Fort, which also includes building a Baoli (step-wall). Later on, after the death of Humayun, his coronation ceremony was done in Agra Fort in the year 1530. Nazam, popular as the water-carrier (saqqa), had once saved emperor Humayun from drowning, as a reward the emperor crowned him as the emperor for half-a-day. After Humayun’s defeat at Bilgram in the year 1540, Sher Shah Suri, belonging to the Sur dynasty, took control of the Agra fort and made its strong hold for many years to come.

It is believed that great Mughal emperor Akbar visited in Agra in the year 1558, and went on for complete renovation of the Agra Fort in the red colored sandstone. According to the historical records, around 4,000 builders were involved in the renovation.

The Agra fort is basically semi-circular in structure and surrounded by 21.4 meters tall ramparts. Double ramparts are constructed and there are also intervening broad massive circular bastions. The fort has four gates situated on four sides, and one of the gates is popularly called as “khizri-gate” (the water gate), opening directly into the river front, that has several ghats or the quays. The Agra fort has endured through the blitzkrieg of time, weather and the men. The fort covers land area of around 94 acres of land. Till date, there are over two dozens of monuments within the fort premises.

AbulFazl, the famous court historian of the times of Akbar, went on the record by saying that there were as many as 5000 buildings designed exquisitely in Bengali and Gujarati style. However with the flux of time, many buildings have been transformed into ravines. Many of the buildings were demolished by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, primarily for creating sufficient amount of space for his very own white marble palaces. In the later times, British Imperial rulers also destroyed many of the buildings.