One of the most impressive structures the Mughals left behind in India is the beautiful Agra Fort, constructed during their rule. This tower covers 94 acres and can be found along the Yamuna River banks in Agra. It is around three kilometers distant from the world-famous Taj Mahal. 

Make sure to include this former Mughal home on your list of things to see and do if you are going to be in Agra, as it is a must-see attraction there. Also, while looking for a hotel in Agra, try to choose one conveniently located near the Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal, and other points of interest in the city.

Take some time to read this blog before you plan your vacation. You need to know everything about the Agra Fort, including its history, architecture, opening and closing times, fees, lesser-known facts, and more.

History

Did you know that the Chauhan Rajputs constructed this brick fort in Agra back when it was only a simple fort? After the First Battle of Panipat, which took place in 1526, historians report that Ibrahim Lodhi had migrated to Agra and stayed in the Fort there. Babur, the first emperor of the Mughal empire, overcame him and murdered him before taking control of the Fort and constructing a baori, also known as a stepwell.

When Akbar finally gained possession of the Fort, he established his new capital there. The Fort, however, was in the process of falling apart and losing its beauty and grandeur throughout that period. Therefore, Akbar reconstructed the Fort using bricks for the inside core and red sandstone for the outer walls. This Fort wasn’t finished being built until 1573, and it wasn’t until after 1,444,000 hardworking workmen had toiled away at it over eight arduous years.

Although it is often believed that Akbar was the one who constructed the Agra Fort, the structure that we see today was completed during the reign of Shah Jahan, who was Akbar’s grandson. He destroyed a great number of structures that were within the Fort and then erected palaces and mosques out of white marble. 

Later, in 1658, after the battle of Samogarh, the Fort fell under the authority of Aurangzeb, the son of Shah Jahan. Aurangzeb kept his father within the Fort for the eight years following the latter’s death.

Following Shah Jahan’s demise, other emperors and kings took control of the Fort and pillaged it for their gain. The Agra Fort was captured by the British in 1803 during the Second Anglo-Maratha War. After India attained independence, the British turned over control of the Fort to the Government of India.

Architecture

The magnificent Mughal architecture can be seen throughout the Agra Fort, constructed out of marble and red sandstone, respectively. The Fort has the form of a half circle when seen from above, and it is surrounded by enormous walls constructed of double battlements formed of red sandstone. These walls have a circumference of around 2 kilometers and a height of approximately 70 feet. 

The Delhi Gate, the Amar Singh Gate, the Hathi Pol Gate, and the Ghaznin Gate are the names of the Fort’s four entrances. The Delhi Gate is their biggest and served as Akbar’s official entrance when it was built. The Amar Singh Gate is the sole entrance guests can use to enter the Fort.

This Fort is home to several spectacular chambers, mosques, and halls, which are quite stunning. Several important buildings and monuments can be found inside the Fort. These include the public and private halls known as Diwan-i-Am and Diwan-i-Khas, royal pavilions that contain masjids, royal baths constructed out of marble, a mirror palace known as Sheesh Mahal, and courtrooms. 

It is claimed that the Fort formerly included approximately 5000 buildings and monuments of various kinds inside its walls. On the other hand, only a dozen of them have weathered the test of time.

Lesser-known facts

  • The Fort was erected using bricks known as the Badalgarh, which belonged to Hindu-Sikarwar Rajput-king Badal Singh and were held by Mughals. Because of its magnificent construction and regal design, the Fort was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
  • When Ghaznavi struck the Red Fort in 1080 AD, the Fort was referenced for the first time in history. During his reign, the Sultan of Delhi, Sikandar Lodi, who subsequently relocated to Agra and elected to remain in the crimson Fort, bestowed this importance on Agra. However, the Sultan died in the red Fort itself in 1517; hence, Ibrahim Lodi, son of Sikandar Lodi, took appropriate care of this Fort for the next 9 years. During the same time, he built many mosques, royal residences, and walls surrounding the Red Fort.
  • Following the first battle in Panipat in 1526, the vanquishing Babur lived in the red Fort, where he founded Baoli. Humayun, who succeeded him, was likewise crowned in the year 1530.
  • Knowing the importance of the state of Agra, he declared Agra the capital of the country in 1558.
  • According to historian Abul-Fazi, the Fort was originally constructed using Badalgarh bricks, but the state of the Fort was poor; therefore, Akbar subsequently repaired it with red stones.
  • According to the Fort’s architect, the inside of the red Fort was built with bricks, while the outside was built with red stones. It is thought that over four thousand laborers erected this Fort, which took approximately eight years to build. The Fort was finished by the year 1573.
  • The construction of this Fort was finished during the reign of Shah Jahan, which is why he declared Agra to be his kingdom. It is also generally known that Shah Jahan was a Mughal who loved to create memorials and forts, which is why he built the incredibly gorgeous Taj Mahal in memory of his wife, Mumtaz.
  • The Maratha Empire took over the Fort at the beginning of the 18th century. But, during the Third World War, he was beaten in Panipat by Ahmad Shah Abdali, and the Marathas were forced to leave the area for approximately a decade. However, Mahadji Shinde won the Fort in 1857.
  • Rashid, a history specialist, pointed out that Agra’s crimson Fort, also known as Badalgarh during the Chauhan Dynasty, was originally built of bricks. In 1080, Mahmud Gazvani’s army of warriors armed the red Fort from Chauhan King. The Fort was conquered by the Mughals following the Panipat battle and is commonly known as the ‘Agra Fort.’
  • Within Agra Fort was around 500 structures constructed in various styles, such as Bengali, Mughal, and Gujarati. However, after the British captured the area, the area of the red Fort was utilized by the soldiers. Later, buildings were destroyed by Britishers between 1803 and 1862, leaving just 30 structures in the Fort.
  • Inside Diwan-I-Khas, Jahangir constructed the black throne as a meeting spot (used for meetings with top officials), which broke off during the cannon strike from the river Yamuna. The assault was so strong that even the cannonball collapsed, leaving a tiny hole visible.
  • Aurangzeb, Shah Jahan’s son, imprisoned him in the Agra Red Fort.
  • The Fort also had a treasury, which housed a diamond known as the Kohinoor Diamond, which was subsequently captured by Britishers and is now in possession of the ‘Queen of Britain.’
  • This World Heritage fort, a remarkable Mughal construction edifice, was primarily intended for military defense.
  • The Agra Red Fort took almost eight years to create, with four thousand craftsmen working on it.
  • This amazing Fort was named the ‘Agra Khan’ for its unusual construction in 2004. For the same reason, the Indian Postal Sector has released stamps to commemorate the anniversary.

Fees of Agra Fort

  • Children below 15 years – Nil
  • Indian adult – Rs.40
  • Foreign adult – Rs.550
  • Adults of SAARC/BIMSTEC nations – Rs.90

Time to Visit Agra’s Red Fort

It is recommended to visit the Red Fort in Agra or Agra in general between autumn and winter (October to March). This is because until this time, the heat is pulled back, and the weather becomes pleasant and is simply right for touring during this time of year. As the day progresses, make yourself comfortable at the series of Tax wandering through the ground, and take in the amazing grandeur of the monument in front of you.