While the Taj Mahal takes the prize for for being the most famous structure in the whole of Agra, it has a lot of competition from other magnificent buildings. Amongst them is the world-acclaimed structure- The Agra Fort, India. Other names for the Agra Fort include 'Lal Qila', Fort Rouge and Red Fort of Agra. Agra Fort, India, today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Agra Fort, which was originally held by the Chauhan Rajputs, was made from bricks. It was later used a residential palace by Mughal Emperors including Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb. This place was used to take care of the entire country's governance. This fort went into derelict condition and came to be known as Badalgarh. Akbar the then Emperor of India had the entire brick fort rebuilt with red sandstone. For this purpose, he employed around 1,444,000 workers. It took the entire fort 8 years to be completed.
The Agra Fort is more of a high walled palatial city than a city. The walls of the fort are 47 feet high that stretch for about 2.5 km, along the Yamuna river. These walls are made of red sandstone. The walls enclose several buildings. The fort walls have four gates on its four sides. Entry into the fort happens only through the Lahore Gate or Amar Singh Gate. This fort is very important in terms of its architectural history. Since Islamic architecture forbids the depiction of living creatures, the artisans made use of geometrical patterns and calligrpahy.
The buildings in the Agra Fort complex include the Anguri Bagh (Grape Garden), the Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience), Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), Jahangiri Mahal, Khas Mahal, Macchi Bhawan, Mina Masjid (Heavenly Mosque),Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque), Musamman Burj, Nagina Masjid (Gem Mosque), Naubat Khana (Drum House), Rang Mahal. Shahi Burj, Shah Jahani Mahal, Shish Mahal (Mirror Palace), Zenana Mina Bazaar (Ladies Bazaar).
Entry into sections of the Agra Fort, India has been prohibited as it is now used by the Indian Air Force as "The Parachute Regiment Training Center".
Historical Monuments in Agra
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