About Agra Fort in English
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Agra Fort is a historic fort in Agra, India. It was mainly built during the 16th century by Akbar, the Mughal emperor. This was used as a military fortress and also as a house for the emperor. The great architecture of the fort attracts people to this place as it includes some beautiful palaces, big rooms like the Diwan-i-Aam and Diwan-i-Khas, and walls made of red sandstone. Later, Emperor Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb here. Agra Fort is a great tourist attraction and one of the best examples of Mughal supremacy.

Home of Shah Jahan
After the grandson of Akbar, Shah Jahan, came to power in the 17th century, he made Agra Fort his principal residence. Besides that, he is also famous for the Taj Mahal, a monument built for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Other important buildings from his time are the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) and the Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) inside Agra Fort. His son Aurangzeb imprisoned him in Agra Fort towards the end of his life.

Why was the Agra Fort built?
Akbar, the Mughal emperor, had built Agra Fort during the middle of the 16th century primarily as a residence for the kings and a military fortress. It protected the kings and their families and acted as the primary headquarters of the Mughal Empire. The grand architectural style of the fort showcased the power and glory of the Mughal kingdom, and its strategic position along the Yamuna River helped protect it from attacks. It also emerged as a governance center and a symbol of the Mughal architectural as well as cultural achievements.

Who built the Agra Fort?
Starting from 1565, Akbar, the Mughal emperor, began constructing the Agra Fort. His successors, especially Shah Jahan, later transformed and extended it by constructing other buildings within the fort. Until the capital was shifted to Delhi, this fort, built in a fusion of Hindu and Islamic architectural traditions, was the principal residence of the Mughal rulers.

Architecture of Agra Fort
Agra Fort is home to some of the beautiful Mughal architecture with a combination of Indian, Persian, and Islamic designs. The main building material of the fort is red sandstone, which has marble inlays, carvings, and spacious, open courtyards. The building is a massive, semicircular fort with several gates and a 70-foot-high wall. The magnificent buildings inside the fort are the Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), and the Jahangiri Mahal, a palace for Emperor Jahangir. The white marble Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) epitomizes Mughal affinity towards architecture. The sheer construction that is practical in its essence yet aesthetic embodies the might and magnificence of the Mughal Empire.

Where is the Agra Fort located in India?
The Agra Fort is located in the city of Agra, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It lies on the banks of the Yamuna River and is about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) away from the famous Taj Mahal. Agra is well connected by road, rail, and air to other major cities in India, making the fort an easily accessible historical landmark.

Material used to build the Agra Fort
Red sandstone has been used abundantly to construct the Agra Fort, which gives it the reddish color. It was sourced from quarries in the area. White marble was used in several parts of the fort besides red sandstone, particularly for decorative works and important structures such as Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) and Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque). The Mughal architectural style, characterized by rich details and a balance of functionality with aesthetic beauty, is reflected in the combination of red sandstone and white marble.

Agra Fort to Taj Mahal distance
It is about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) from Agra Fort to the Taj Mahal. One can reach it by autorickshaw or car within ten to fifteen minutes, according to the traffic, while on foot, it would take around thirty minutes. And both places are within the city of Agra and are not really far from each other, so easily accessible.

How did Shah Jahan die?
The Mughal emperor whose name is best remembered with the order of building the Taj Mahal died in 1666 under fairly tragic circumstances. He was deposed by his son Aurangzeb in 1658 and spent the final eight years of his life in captivity at the Agra Fort. This view of the Taj Mahal was the only solace Shah Jahan had while he spent most of this period of partial isolation behind prison bars. Gradually, his health weakened, and he died a natural death—he probably succumbed to old age or a heart attack. He had built the Taj Mahal in commemoration of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and was interred beside her.

Who was jailed in Agra Fort?
Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who ordered the Taj Mahal, was probably the most famous prisoner ever to be incarcerated in Agra Fort. In 1658, during a power struggle with his son Aurangzeb, Shah Jahan was deposed and confined to house arrest within the fort. During his last years of life, he was confined to a series of rooms with an exterior view of the Taj Mahal, which was a mausoleum he built for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. His funeral took place, and it ended beside hers inside the magnificent monument in 1666 when Shah Jahan died.