The Agra Fort

The Agra fort is more commonly known as a walled city due to its size.  Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, began the construction of this fort made of red sandstone on the banks of the Yamuna river in 1565.  The fort was completed in 1571 with additions made later. During Akbar's time, it served mostly military purposes, but Akbar's grandson, ShahJahan, also used it as a palace and court.
The fort spreads over a triangular area measuring 1.5 miles.  The structure is crescent shaped with colossal double walls 20 m in height and 2.5 km in circumference.  The fort is surrounded by a 9 m wide & 10 m deep moat.  It was an amazing structure to visit, and it is still in pretty good condition after all these years.   


Going to the Agra Fort



Entering the fort

One section of this massive fort made of stones

Marble design that was hand carved for the Agra Fort.

One of the ruler's rooms overlooking the river valley

Common grounds where they would hold parades of the concubines for the ruler!

This basin is a huge bath that was transported to different locations that the rulers stayed when not at the fort.....it was HUGE!

Entry way to another section of the fort

Intricate designs carved into the marble facade

Those doorways led to the concubine rooms - as many as 700 concubines lived in this fort during one of the ruler's time.  If you look closely, the section directly below the people standing is a 'soaking area' for the women.  Those spaces are seats where they would sit. 



Beautiful archways in the common ground area



A double moat surrounded the fort for protection.