Agra Fort
Agra Fort, is a monument,a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is about 2.5 km northwest of its more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled city.
The 94-acre (380,000 m2) fort has a semicircular plan, its chord lies parallel to the river and its walls are seventy feet high. Double ramparts have massive circular bastions at intervals, with battlements, embrasures, machicolations and string courses. Four gates were provided on its four sides, one Khizri gate opening on to the river.
Two of the fort's gates are notable: the "Delhi Gate" and the "Lahore Gate." The Lahore Gate is also popularly also known as the "Amar Singh Gate," for Amar Singh Rathore.
Sites and structures
- Anguri Bagh (Grape Garden)- 85 square, geometrically arranged gardens[2]
- Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) - was used to speak to the people and listen to petitioners and once housed the Peacock Throne
- Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) - was used to receive kings and dignitary, features black throne of Jehangir
- Golden Pavilions (Jahan Ara Pavilion and Roshan Ara Pavilion) - beautiful pavilions with roofs shaped like the roofs of Bengali huts
- Jahangiri Mahal - built by Akbar for his son Jehangir
- Khas Mahal - white marble palace, one of the best examples of painting on marble
- Macchi Bhawan (Fish Enclosure) - grand enclosure for harem functions, once had pools and fountains
- Mina Masjid (Heavenly Mosque) - private mosque used by mujahara
- Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) - mosque built for use by members of royal court
- Musamman Burj - a large, octagonal tower with a balcony facing the Taj Mahal
- Takht-i-Jahangir - Throne of Jahangir
- Nagina Masjid (Gem Mosque) - mosque designed for the ladies of the court
- Naubat Khana (Drum House) - a place where the king's musicians played
- Rang Mahal - where the king's wives and mistresses lived
- Shahi Burj - Shah Jahan's private work area
- Shah Jahani Mahal - Shah Jahan's first attempt at modification of the red sandstone palace
- Sheesh Mahal or Shish Mahal (Mirror Palace) - royal dressing room featuring tiny mirror-like glass-mosaic decorations, and drums built into the walls.
- Zenana Mina Bazaar (Ladies Bazaar) - right next to the balcony, where only female merchants sold wares