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| FORTS & PALACES |
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| Agra Fort |
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Constructed of the massive Agra Fort was begun by Emoeror Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. While in Akbar's time the fort was principally a military structure, by Shah Jahan's time it had become partially a palace. A visit to the fort is an Agra 'must' since so many of the events which led to the construction of the Taj took place here.
There are many fascinating buildings within the massive walls which stretch for 2.5 km, surrounded by a moat over 10 meters wide. Inside, the fort is really a city within a city. The fort is on the banks of the Yamuna River and the Amar Singh Gate to the south is the only entry point. It's open from sunrise to sunset.
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| Places of Interest |
Diwan-I-Am
The hall of Public Audiences was also built by Shah Jahan and replaced an earlier wooden structure. Shah Jahan's predessors had a hand in the hall's construction, but the throne room, with its typical inlaid marble work, indisputably bears Shah Jahan's influence. Here he sat to meet officials or listen to petitioners. Beside the Diwan-I-Am is the small Nagina Masjid or Gem Mosque and the Ladie's Bazaar where merchants came to display and sell goods to the ladies of the Mughal court.
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Diwan-I-Khas
The Hall of private Audiences was also built by Shah Jahan Between 1636 and1637. Here the emperor would meet important dignitaries or foreign ambassadors. The hall consists of two rooms connected by three arches. The famous Peacock Throne was kept here before being moved to Delhi by Aurangzeb. It was later carted off to Iran and its remains are now in Tehran.
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Octagonal Tower
the Musamman Burj, or Octagonal Tower, stands close to the Diwan-I-Khas and the small private Mina Masjid. Also known as the Saman Burj, this tower was built by Shah Jahan for Mumtaz Mahal and is another of his finely designed buildings. It was here, with its views along the Yamuna to the taj, that Shah Jahan dies in 1666.
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Jehangir's Palace
Akbar is believed to have built this palace, the largest private residence in the fort, for his son. This was one of the first construction demonstrating the fort's changing emphasis from military to luxurious living quarters. The palace is also interesting for its blend of Hindu and central Asian architectural styles- a contrast to the unique Mughal style which had developed by the time of Shah Jahan.
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Places to Stay
Agra Ashok Hotel, Clarks Shiraz Hotel, Taj View Hotel, Mughal Sheraton.
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Getting There
Buses between Delhi and Agra operate every hour. Agra is on the main Delhi to Bombay broad-gauge railway line, so there are plenty of trains coming through.
Agra's airport is seven km from the centre of town.
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