India /Uttar Pradesh /Agra /Agra
Sight Address : Agra Fort is located on the right bank of the river Yamuna in the city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh.Edit
Detail InformationEdit
Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Agra, India. The fort is also known as Lal Qila, Fort Rouge and Red Fort of Agra. It is about 2.5 km north-west of its much more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. Agra Fort built by Akbar in Red Sandstone when he was through with the consolidation of his power after accession to power in 1654, Agra Fort worked both as a military strategic point as well as the royal residence. Ever since Babur defeated and killed Ibrahin Lodi at Panipat in 1526, Agra played an important centre of Mughal Empire it was in a ruined condition and Akbar decided to make it his capital and arrived in Agra in 1558 Akbar had it rebuilt with red sandstone. Architects laid the foundation and it was built with bricks in the inner core with sandstone on external surfaces. Some 1,444,000 builders worked on it for eight years, completing it in 1573.At the end of his life, his son, Aurangzeb, in the fort, a punishment that might not seem so harsh, considering the luxury of the fort, imprisoned Shah Jahan. It is rumored that Shah Jahan died in Muasamman Burj, a tower with a marble balcony with an excellent view of the Taj Mahal.
Agra Fort, Agra, Uttarpradesh
HistoryEdit
This was originally a brick fort and the Chauhan Rajputs held it. It was mentioned for the first time in 1080 AD when a Ghaznavide force captured it. Sikandar Lodi (1487-1517) was the first Sultan of Delhi who shifted to Agra and lived in the fort. He governed the country from here and Agra assumed the importance of the 2nd capital. He died in the fort in 1517 and his son, Ibrahim Lodi, held it for nine years until he was defeated and killed at Panipat in 1526. Several palaces, wells and a mosque were built by him in the fort during his period. After Panipat, Mughals captured the fort and a vast treasure – which included a diamond that was later named as the Kohinoor diamond – was seized. Then, the great Mughals Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb lived here, and the country was governed from here. Realizing the importance of its central situation, Akbar decided to make it his capital and arrived in Agra in 1558. It was in a ruined condition and Akbar had it rebuilt with red sandstone. Architects laid the foundation and it was built with bricks in the inner core with sandstone on external surfaces. Some 4000 builders worked on it for eight years, completing it in 1573.It was only during the reign of Akbar’s grandson, Shah Jahan (builder of Taj Mahal), that the site finally took on its current state. Unlike his grandfather, Shah Jahan tended to have buildings made from white marble, often inlaid with gold or semi-precious gems. He destroyed some of the earlier buildings inside the fort in order to make his own. At the end of his life, Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son, Aurangzeb, in the fort, a punishment which might not seem so harsh, considering the luxury of the fort. It is rumoured that Shah Jahan died in Muasamman Burj, a tower with a marble balcony with an excellent view of the Taj Mahal.
Must SeeEdit
Must see
Visiting TimeEdit
6.00 Am to 5.30 Pm
Closed OnEdit
N.A.
Best Season to VisitEdit
Winter is the best time to visit, days are cool and sunny and ideal for sight seeing.
Best Time To VisitEdit
Morning, Afternoon, Evening.
Time Required for SightseeingEdit
1-2 hrs.
Ticket Required : Yes Edit
Individual National Adult Rs. : Rs 20
Kids Rs. : N.A.
Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : Rs 520
Kids Rs. : N.A.
Still Photo Camera Rs. : N.A.
Video Camera Rs. : N.A.
Guide Required : Yes Edit
Approximate cost: Audio guides available at Agra fort which you can rent for a Rs.100 in English and other foreign language (German, French, Spanish, etc) or Rs.60 in Indian languages such as Hindi or Bengali.This is place that not to be missed by any historians and architects.
Dress Code (If Any) : NoEdit
Dress Require: N.A.
Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit
- Fuxion Oriental – Agra ; 12 Coliseum Way, Cheshire Oaks Outlet Village, Ellesmere Port, Wirral, CH65 9HD ; Ph/M – 0871 963 2089 ; Food Serve – Offers buffet-style dining with a choice of Chinese, Japanese or Thai cuisine.
How to ReachEdit
Taxi : This place of Agra is well connected by road and is easily accessible by taxis. Local taxis are also available at a resonable rate.
Bus : Bus services in Agra are provide by Agra Municipal Corporation. UP State Road Transport Corporation does run some air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned low-floor buses within Agra which run on specific routes including M G Road.
Train : Agra is a major railway junction and has several railway stations, with the Agra Cantonment Railway station being the main one. Indian Railways connects Agra with all major and minor cities in India. The hired taxi, tempo, cycle-rickshaw and auto-rickshaw will helps touries to reach her. Prepaid autos and taxis from railway station are easily available.
Air : Agra’s Kheria Airport is located 8 km away from the heart of the city. It will cost about Rs 150 from airport to city by taxi. Agra is connected to Varanasi, Delhi and Khajuraho by air. For other cities, tourists need to take the flight to Delhi. After getting down at Kheria airport taxis and tongas are available at the airport to reach this destination.
Others : Travelling around the town of Agra can be done through a multitude of ways, including electric buses, Tongas, tempos, cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws.
Cycle Rickshaw:
Cycle rickshaws are available aplenty in the town of Agra. Travelling through a cycle rickshaw can be quite time consuming, although this is a very cheap mode of travel with charges hovering around Rs 5 to 10.
Tonga:
Tongas are horse drawn carriages that run throughout the town. Tonga charges are very low too, and you can opt for a Tonga ride as it is faster than a cycle rickshaw ride. Charges will range around Rs 5 to 15.
Tempo :
Tempos are also available, and these are shared vehicles which can be more comfortable than buses for slightly elevated rates. Tempo rates will vary from Rs 5 to 10. These are a safe mode of travel and can be taken up during night time.
Things to CarryEdit
Carry drinking water, camera, sunglasses & a hat or shades for protection from the harsh Sun.
Safety / WarningEdit
During winters make sure to travel with proper woollen clothes as nights in Agra is pretty chilling during winter.Do not accept any type of food from strangers while travelling on trains and buses.
HelplineEdit
Police 100
Ambulance 102
Fire Brigade 101
Tourist Information & Assistance 1364
