The Red Fort of Agra is most likely to be described as a walled palatial city which comprised of spawning lawns, big courtrooms, a jail, refuge for the military and castle. It had dual purposes as a military strategic place and Royal residence for the King’s family. It was built exactly 2.5 kilometers away from the Taj Mahal.
History of Red Fort in Agra
- The Red Fort of Agra has a very interesting history as it has seen almost six centuries and witnessed the changing times from filled courtrooms to now-empty tourist spot. This Fort was built in 1654 by Akbar after his succession to the throne. Agra was an important strategic spot for the Mughal Empire apart from Delhi. Since the time Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the war of Panipat in 1526, Agra was abandoned yet important for the Mughal sultanates. Akbar, therefore, decided to redesign it and make it his capital. He arrived at Agra in 1558 and used Red Sandstones to build this entire Red Fort.
- It is said that Red Fort was built by 1,444,000 masons maybe more. It took around 15 years to get completed. After Akbar, who built this Red Fort it was passed on to his son, Jahangir and then to Shah Jahan who made a replica of this Place in New Delhi, as well.
- But as we say, this Fort has witnessed some ghastly sins. In order to sit on the throne, Aurangzeb held his own father as a captive in his own Fort. He was always mourning the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz, therefore he was held in a Marble balcony in a tower named Musamman Burj which gave a direct view of the Taj Mahal.
Architecture of the Red Fort
It is laid out in the typical Islamic and Mughal design, that is, the Karmuka Style. It is rectangular designed on three of its side but gives a curvy look on its fourth side to follow the curve of the Yamuna river. The Fort has two moats; one is known as Wet Moat and contains crocodiles in it. The other is known as dry and has flesh eating tigers roaming freely in it. The other two sides of the Fort have high red sandstone walls such that, the inner wall is 40 meters high and outer is 70 meters high. It has three entry gates to step inside the fort, that is, Delhi Gate, Amar Singh Gate and the Lahore gate.