Excursions From Delhi

Agra Fort

Agra fort is located in the city of Agra, on the west bank of the Yamuna river and at a distance of 2 km from its more famous sister monument- The Taj Mahal. Also known as Lal Qila or the Red Fort of Agra, it was constructed between 1156 and was 1605, under the reign of Mughal Emperors Akbar and Shahjahan. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it displays a fine blend of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles. The Fort, which can be better described as a walled city, consists of a wall built of Red Sandstone and several historical buildings inside including Diwan-i-Khas, the Diwan-i-Aam, Nagina Masjid and the Moti Masjid. Towards the northeast of the fort is the Musamman Burj, where Shahjahan was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. Immediately on the right is the Jahangiri Mahal.

The wall has 2 gates, the Delhi Gate and the Amar Singh Gate and entry is through the Amar Singh Gate. This monument has great historical significance as the great Mughals Emperors Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb lived and governed the Mughal Empire from here. Its charm so captivated the famous author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that he incorporated the Fort in a key role in his Sherlock Holmes mystery, The Sign of the Four.