Entrance to Red Fort, Agra

Red Fort of Agra a magnificent citadel in the once capital city of the mighty Mughal empire at its peak which lasted from the 16th Century until the early 17th Century the Mughal Empire was ruled from Agra due to its central position on the map of then India. The first Mughal emperor to come to Agra was Sikandar Lodhi and made it his capital, the struggle for power continued and Agra saw the rise of rulers like Babur, Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan during whose reign various developments were done to the Agra fort and these rulers had an integral part in shaping the complex to its present-day condition.

Agra Fort an exemplification of excellence and a UNESCO World Heritage Site was commissioned by Akbar- the great Mughal emperor in 1565 as a military establishment and was built on the site of the ruins of Badalgarh Fort, which was a strong foothold of the Chouhan Rajput Rulers, it took around 8 years and as per historical records and had almost 500 buildings many of which were demolished during wars and conquest. Some of the subsequent rulers, notably Jahangir and Shah Jahan who had finer tastes in architecture, renovated this Military establishment partially converting the imposing Agra Fort into a series of the palace and living quarters incorporating Persian- and Timurid-style and architectural features making this once military establishment into an architectural wonder.

This beautiful nearly crescent-shaped fort is situated on the right bank of River Yamuna towards the east of Agra city built of red sandstone found at Barauli in present-day Dhaulpur, Rajasthan.

The boundary walls of the crescent-shaped fort have a circumference of 2.5 km which raises to around 21 meters in height.

It is surrounded by a moat which was filled by dreaded crocodiles at one time to prevent enemies from reaching the walls of the fort and the fort complex could only be accessed by a foldable bridge above the moat via the Amar Singh gate whose statue can be seen on the road just outside the fort, the gate is named after the Rajput King from Rajasthan who managed to escape the fort on his horse jumping around 70ft after killing the kings relative Salabat Khan who induced feud between the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and the Rajput King.

Diwan-E-Aam at Red Fort Agra

The fortified complex with its various set of buildings and palaces behold a whole city inside, the use of vivid architectural styles used in the structures and these set of structure collectively create an architectural marvel one can’t take his eyes of being it the vividness, beauty or the great use of art with red sandstone, marble, and glass. The domes, arches, works of inlay in marble, and carvings on the walls captivate the visitor attention on the first sight as one enter’s through the gigantic gate into the complex to open green fields of greenery and set of palaces in the complex showcase the riches of the Mughals and one can clearly see the fortune spent on the monument.

Who built Red Fort of Agra?

The Red Fort, Agra was originally built by Akbar in red sandstone was later renovated into its present form with the addition of magnificent palaces added during the reign of Shah Jahan, unlike his grandfather he liked to have buildings made from white marble, and for the same he destroyed some of the earlier buildings inside the fort to get them built again in the white marble with precisely delicate work of inlay. At the end of his life, Shah Jahan was deposed and restrained by his son Aurangzeb, in the fort and died in the Muasamman Burj, a tower with a marble balcony with views of the Taj Mahal

Panoramic view of Jahangir Palace at Agra Fort

Agra Fort was the seat of power and the residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until in 1634 Shah Jahan shifted his capital to the now Delhi where is its counterpart the Red Fort of Delhi which was built in 1639 and is a successor to the Red Fort of Agra. The last Indian rulers to have ruled at Agra Fort were the Marathas and then later it again became a military establishment for almost a century under the British Army, the fort also played a part in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 which was the first rebel against the British East India Company. In the year 1983, the fort was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The huge defense walls nestle various spectacular monuments built with great detailing be it the mosaic or the carvings of Mughal, Persian, and Hindu Architectures found in various buildings. The Diwan -I-Aam, Diwan- I -Khas, Mussaman, Jahangir Palace, and Sheesh Mahal each building having its own importance as briefed below. –

Mussaman Burj overlooking the Yamuna

Diwan-E-Aam –

It is the place where the emperor would hear the petitions of the general public while seated on his throne on a balcony, this structure originally made out of red sandstone by Akbar and was later renovated in the present form by Shah Jahan, which is significant in the vividly decorated throne room with inlaid carvings and panel of marble with floral motifs influenced by Shah Jahan’s taste in architecture. It is the place where the emperor would hear the petitions of the general public.

Diwan-E-Khas –

Diwan-E-Khas the hall of the Private and dignified audience was used for receiving distinguished visitors and access was granted to only a few chosen ones. The famous Peacock Throne was once kept there before Aurangzeb took it to Delhi and was finally carried away to Iran

Jahangir’s Palace –

Red Fort Agra

Built by Akbar for his only son Jahangir to provide the prince with all the luxuries inside the fort this double-storeyed building with protruding balconies and domed Chattaris, was made of red sandstone with painted walls and ceilings painted in bright colors and golden paint a Rajput style of art making it a blend of Hindu
and central Asian architectural styles.

Anguri Bagh or the grape garden –

Built by Akbar for the ladies of the royal harem to stroll and meet and was therefore surrounded by double story buildings on three sides to prevent other men from seeing the royal ladies. During the time of Shah Jahan the beauty of the garden was enhanced by decorative flower beds and grape vines, but currently just a lavish green lawn with a few plants and trees.

Sheesh Mahal –

This beautiful place belonged to the royal ladies of the harem and is one of the most precisely decorated with the walls in a room filled with delicate work of inlay art using mirrors from Belgium, it is also are one of the first and the finest example of glass mosaic decoration in India.

Musamman Burj –

Inlay Marble at Agra Fort

It is a beautiful octagonal tower with an open pavilion at an elevation with cool evening breezes flowing in off the Yamuna river, from here the Taj is visible very clearly and appears like a shining piece of the moon or the most beautiful place of heaven has fallen on earth and Shah Jahan lay on his deathbed, gazing at Taj Mahal.

Come join us on the Indian Saga Tour to explore the Agra Fort and explore the best of North-India in this 15-day journey.

Also, if want to know about the amazing Monkey Temple Jaipur

Chittor has seen many wars in which it appeared heroic to expect three defeats in its name. Three important battles were fought for control of the fort in 1303, Ala-ud-din Khilji besieged the fort in 1535, The Sultan of Gujarat Bahadur Shah besieged the fort and in 1567, Emperor Akbar attacked the Chittorgarh Fort. Not that there were only defeats at the fort, there were Johar which is the sacrifice of Women’s of the fort the Queen, princess, the wife’s of commanders, ministers, soldiers all set them self in fire when the defeat is near. It shows their prestige such that they accepted death easily rather than watching their other half’s being defeated on the battlefields, Maintaining the prestige of Chittor.

Most of the time the fort was in control of the Rajput clan which again appeared after being defeated at the battle to take over their property. And each time appearing more stronger and powerful than before, and making the Fort at Chittor an extraordinary one among them all. The King who ruled over Chitor were known for their Bravery, Courage as well as chivalry across Rajasthan and all over India.

The region all together under the princely state of Mewar containing more than 6 districts is still accustomed by the name of Mewar.

A VIRTUAL PATHWAY TO CHITTORGARH FORT AND ITS STRUCTURES –

Chittorgarh Fort is situated atop a hill nearly 600ft above the ground and spread over an area of 700Acres with only one way up leading through 7 Gates to check the enemy. The road leads through seven gates namely Padan pol, Bhairon pol, hanuman pol, Jorla pol, Lakshman pol to the main gate, Rampol here pol refers to gates. The main gate of the Chittorgarh Fort is called the Surajpol. In between the second and the third gate there are two chhatris or cenotaphs, built in honor of Jaimal and Patta, the heroes of 1568 AD, siege by Emperor Akbar it is said that the duo saved the fort for many months from the Mughal army while the King was out but the army managed to creep inside the duo with 8000 men fought bravely like warriors with 80.000 Mughals with Jaimals leg being injured Patta lifted him on his soldiers making the scene as scares for the Mughals to see 4 Hands killing the Mughals deliberately but in the End they had to accept defeat against the giant Mughal armies.

On the entrance there are gardens and few temple like structures on the left the temples are square-shaped domes carved out of stones with life-like miniatures of animals and humans inscribed on the stone’s outside and inside a great piece of art indeed. On the rights is the Khumba Palace which was the part of the Fort where the King’s resided along with the home of the servent and workers at the Palace. The seat of the King is made such it still reveals the place where the King used to sit having great work of craftsmanship.

On the backside of the garden is the broken pieces the Archeological Department is trying to fix as well as some old cannons and olden utensils with Hindu Mantras inscribed on their barrels.

Then is the Fateh Prakash Palace made recently in 19th-century structure in quite a good condition, it is aswell a museum of artilleries. It is eye soothing with some coats of yellow still painted over it the rest all structures are colorless

The road verges to right and we move toward the Jain temple in the left maintained by the Jain community with nice gardens and priests inside maintaining it. Photography here is prohibited. It consists of 12 idols of the Jain Gurus and two different temples the temples receive donations which are seen by the Gold and silver plating in the temples.

On the right is Meera Temple the daughter of the King who eventually was a worshipper of Lord Krishna and dedicated her life in Krishna devotion after she was widowed at an early age, she is known for her Bhajan’s or songs dedicated to God. Having great hand made carvings which is symmetrical and neatly done as attractive as was Meera to Lord Krishna.

Next is the Vijay Stambh or the victory tower made of yellow stone with stairs to visit the top made by Rana Hamir in AD1448, the details are as followed in the inscription outside the Vijay Stambh. The whole fort approximately is visible from the top and the ceiling is beautiful appears to be the sun right on above us.

Stair’s depart down to a pond where the water from the different region of fort comes through some secret path, this Pond was also the bathing place for Padmini the most beautiful Queen of the Kingdom, there was a tunnel from the Queen’s palace to the pond so that the queen wasn’t seen by any other man.

On Right is a palace where is the old Kalki Mata Mandir which transforms to the skeleton goddess in English. Situated in the premises of Jaimal & Patta’s Palace, she was diety of the brave warriors of the Chittor Army who gave a struggle to the Mughals for long before laying their life. And a few more meters is another shrine quite crowded and visited by many locals.

Then finally is the Padmini Palace situated in the mid of a water reservoir, and can be seen from a building outside the Reservoir, this building is well maintained with Lavish Gardens newly planted to enhance the beauty of the place as it has the name of the most beautiful Padmini associated with it. It is said that a Room in the compound has mirror’s set on its ceiling such that from there the King once made Allaudin Khilji have a glimpse of Padmini, Khilji was such mesmerized he would have gone to any extent to get queen Padmini and by crook arrested the then King and asked Padmini to join him to which Padmini asked the Mughal to send 700 men lifted chariots for her maids, rather than, maids it was soldiers disguised as women who went to Khilji’s camp and rescued the King. Finally Khilji fought a war against Chittor and unfortunately, Chittor lost. But Padmini performed Johar and sacrificed herself rather than being the wife of a Mughal Emperor. The Padmini Palace was visited only by the King and was well guarded, it was situated in water as the King didn’t want any man to ever reach or see Queen Padmini. The tales of her looks are well spread across the state of Rajasthan and is even determined as a superlative of beauty when someone is compared to Padmini meaning she is extremely beautiful.

Back to the entrance, two Roads diverged one the path I traveled yet and the second was way to Hathi Pol the war gate on the back of the fort from which the army moved out in scenario of the wars Many wars started here.

Behind the Chittorgarh Fort is agricultural land below the hill which were green and plowed by the Farmers. There are mountains running Parallel to the fort. There is a half-built temple-like structure which I wonder why it’s left in mid. A few more temple’s by the no. of temples it appears the people were quite spiritual and had a firm belief in Gods. And each new ruling generation either made a few more temples of the deity they believed in.

Then is the last attraction the Kirti Stambh made by Jain merchants during the reign of Rawal Kumar Singh in the year AD1257, this Stambh (Pillar) symbolizes the Jainism and was a way of glorifying the Jain Religion, adjacent to the stambh is a Jain Temple and the roads lead us near Fateh Prakash Mahal.

The Chittorgarh Fort has a boundary of approx. 13Km and there are people living in the way to the Fort between the Fort and the 1st gate of entrance, these people might be the heirs of those workers and soldiers at the Fort. Its a world Heritage Site and rarest and the best fort in India yet the tickets prices is quite less as it is situated far from big cities, as a result, the footfall is a bit less. If well preserved and looked after it can become a tourists hotspot.

THIS FORT RIGHTLY DEFINES THE CAPTION ‘INCREDIBLE INDIA’ visit Chittorgarh with Tajmahal & Palaces Tour

Among the list of the mordern wonder’s of the world and a unesco world Heritage Site, Taj Mahal since 1653, is undoubltedly the most precious heritage of India.

Taj Mahal defination – Taj in hindi means Crown and Mahal stands for Palace.
Certainly it keep up to it’s name being the best of the Palace in India and across the globe.

Its not just the majestic building but also the story that makes it an epitome of love –

TAJ MAHAL STORY –

Shah Jahan and Mumtaz falling in love –

Taj mahal location is a pictursque one on the side of the River overlooking the mehtab bagh gardens, and this site was chosen because it is located on a bend in the river and so is visible from Shah Jahan’s personal palace at the Red Fort.

This piece of land belonged to Raja Jai Singh of Amber, Jaipur but was given to the emperor for the noble cause.
Nothing is visible behind the taj but ever changing sky and scudding clouds.

When was the taj mahal built still remains a mystery as some believe the site of Taj once had a Lord shiva temple which was then tranformed and renovated into Taj Mahal, the construction started in december 1631 & came to finish in the year 1654.

The Finest craftsmen from India, Persia and across the globe thronged up here and an entire town called the Tajganj or Taj Mahal city grew up to house the workers and their families.

Taj Mahal Tomb Architecture –

Taj being the finest example of Mughal Architecture, a style that combines elements of Islamic, Indian, Persian and Turkish Architecture. Taj Mahal architecture is a master piece of symettry & balance.

This glorious marble tomb for the beloved has become a symbol of India, reconning the tri color across borders around the globe since 17th century and will keep it up for the centuries to come this marvel of human hands can’t be compared, cant be described rather is to be felt when one is inside the Taj Complex at Agra.

It is the labour of love which took 20,000 artisians 22 years staring in 1632 and being completed in 1654, shah jahan immersed himself in planning the monument, constantly confering with his architects.

Marble for Taj was brought from quarries at Makrana in Rajasthan some 350 Km from Agra. Marble slabs came on animal carts to Agra, as per an account over 1000 elephants were used to transport building materials.

This glorious marble tomb for the beloved has become a symbol of India, reconning the tri color across borders around the globe since 17th century and will keep it up for the centuries to come this marvel of human hands can’t be compared, cant be described rather is to be felt when one is inside the Taj Complex at Agra.

The various Architect’s are –

Dome builder Ismail Effendi from Turkey.
Calligrapher Amanat Khan from Shiraz.
The goldsmith Qz=azim Khan from Lahore.
The Mosaicist Chiranji Lal from Delhi.

The main Gateway –

The gate stands 33 mtr high, with a huge arch, and small domes at top which are 22 in number it also has rooms to accomodate the guard’s. It has white inlay calligraphy texts from the quran with a unique feature that each letter appears to be the same be it at top or bottom.

Mausoleum or the Tomb –

The resting place meant for the queen which also beholds the King in an unsymetrically and the only symetric imbalance in the Taj as it was not supposed to hold the tomb for the King.

This is the main Building with arched enterences and four nearly identicle facades. Topped by a huge dome and four smaller domed chatrri’s placed at it’s corners, the main dome is mearly 18 mtr in diameter and 24mtr high.

The Casket are decorated with the most precious of stones work with astonishing precision with lapidary & calligraphy which identifies and describes the person resting inside, around is the octagonal marble see through screen (Jalli’s) have been carefully crafted with precision and have been inlaid with semi- precious stones
in extremely delicate detail, forming twining vines, fruits & flowers.

A brass Lamp presented by Lord Curzon hangs in the centre of the dome, sheding a dim light as not to disturb the couple who are sleeping beneath.

On the external walls their is more trellis work made in beehive design ensuring flow of air.

It has inlay work of black and dark coloured stones to bring out the contrast in the ineffably white marble used in the construction of the tomb.

The 4 minarets 40 mtr tall standing around it like guards add to it’s charm, these minarets are delibrately built to lean, so if they fell or were toppled they would crash away from the mousoleum and off the platform.

It’s incorporate the calligraphy that decorates the

Set on a square platform measuring nearly 100sq. mtrs & surrounded by 4 minarets

Nearly every surface of the entire complex has been decorated. embellished with Jade from china, turquoise from tibet, lazuli from afghanistan, coral from the Indian ocean, cornelian from baghdad and many more to add to it is the use of 466 Kg of gold.

Shah Jahan’s lavish asthetic and romantic nature is apparent in every aspect of the Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal Garden’s –

The garden’s or char bagh are 567 mtr long and 305 mtr wide divided into four rectangles by two cannals joining in the mid at a raised water tank, these gardens has sunken parteriors flower beds, raised pathways , avenue of trees, water courses & pools that reflects the Taj. Creating paradise on earth with it’s beautiful flowers and lush color’s.

One of the Calligraphy on the Enterence says “Let no men who is not pure at heart enter the gardens of Paradise”.

Not to miss the mosque to the left and a similar building built to the right for the sake of symettry.

The royal elites used to pay frequent visits to the Taj.

Ineffably white, as hard as death to bear & bright as paradise, gleaming against the ever changing sky of scudding clouds & darkling blue.

“Taj Mahal was built by giants and decorated by Jwellers”

For it takes on a new personality like a women according to the person percieving and the moment of perception, this mausoleum of white marble reflects hues according to the intensity of sun light and the moon light, at dawn it is bathed in haunting grayish tint that slowly turns aglow with shades of pink & orange as the sun breaks it’s golden yolk over the horizon. At the afternoon it shines gleemingly white. On moonlit night’s it is at its romantic best, a blur of gray, white & blue that cast a blinding spell on the beholder

Taj Mahal has stood at all times as the emporer said for all times to come

The Jats tore off Silver coins from the door at the enterance in 1764.

British troops striped off the gold covering the top of the dome when they captures agra in 1803. During the reign of Genral Lord William Bentinck the East India company seriously considered tearing down the Taj Mahal & having the marble auctioned off. It was prevented only by the Indian merchants who delibrately kept the prices of marble low.

In 1971 during Indi-Pak war, agra being an important center of the Indian Air Force was on target of Enimies. The authorities realised it quick that on moonlit nights Taj shines brightly making agra an easy target by being a landmark for the Air Force camp, so it was comaflauged with straw mats till the war ended.

Standing at all times .

Princess Diana taj mahal bench is a perfect photography spot, where all the young pricess like to get themself pictured once at the Taj Mahal.

Few word’s on the Taj Mahal wonders of the world –

“The effect is such as, i confess, i never experienced from any work of art. The fine materials, the beautiful forms, and the symettry of the whole, with the judicious choice of location, far surpasses anything i ever behold.” – Painter William Hodges – 1786

“What love can motivate us to build.” Mark Zukerberg

“I would die tomorrow to have such another over me.” – every second women

The Amber Fort Jaipur is a fortress and Palace complex in Jaipur which is a great piece of Hindu architecture with sprinkles of the Mughal Style, located on the foothills of Aravalli overlooking the Maota Lake in front of the views of the Amber Fort complex mesmerizes the onlookers the vast golden infrastructure and the grace in its vicinity added by the small foothills, gardens and views of Jaigarh Fort (where it is said to be the largest cannon in the world) in the backdrop. Located at a distance of 10k.m ride from City Palace or the Palace of Winds a.k.a Hawa Mahal Jaipur the fort stands testimony to the capital city of Rajasthan.

It opens at 8:00 AM till 5:30 PM & at night Amber Fort timings are 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Amber Fort Jaipur Enterance

Half a km walk from the base to the gate of the Amer Fort Jaipur. Once inside the courtyard with trees on the vast courtyard over the hills, whose floor at night is lit as such recreating the stars beneath.

Hall of the Common’s

From here a few more stairs and we reach the Diwan-e-Aam which translates to the hall of the commons which the people of the state visited at the time of the kings. It’s a great stone-carved structure made of red sandstone.

House of Common illuminated at night.

On the right is the main entrance to the Amber Palace known as the Ganesh Pol named after Lord Ganesh the son of SHIVA and the god of prosperity and wealth. The gate is decorated with a painting of Lord Ganesh and the carved windows above through which the royal ladies used to watch the processions as they were not allowed to come out barefaced in front of the public.

Amber Palace, Jaipur

Inside the private part of the Amber Fort, Jaipur are gardens with fountains the path leads us to the Diwan-e-Khas the most special palace at Amer which was for the royals and their close friends and ministers. Enveloped among marbles and great interiors made out of pieces of mirrors is the Sheesh Mahal or the Mirror Palace, these small mirror pieces are used to create images of flower pots, stars, and other abstract designs. It is said in earlier days when a candle was lit in this palace it got reflected from the mirrors and created the stars indoors, now one can experience the charisma of the place as it is among the few monuments in India that are open to visitors at night.

Amber Fort Jaipur Night timings: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

View of the Mirror Palace from the Sukh Niwas.

Opposite to the Sheesh Mahal complex is the air-cooled compartment of Amber Fort known as the Sukh Niwas or the relaxing place with water channels flowing through it creating cooling effects in the harsh summers of Rajasthan, India.  The walls are carved in shapes of flower vases and filled in different colors more of Islamic in nature but add a charisma to the cool ambiance. This palace has a chariot and an old ivory and sandalwood gate on display but is not so good condition as the wood just parted off with time.

Zenana / Women Compartments

The next compartment is the Zenana or the place for the women of the Palace with a small lobby for the queen’s in the middle of the courtyard and surrounded by personal rooms of the many queens. At one end of the Zenana was the Palace for the King of Jaipur which once used to be the most special place of the Palace decorated with his riches but now all that remains is a painting of Lord Krishna and Radha on the pillar in the center of the room, rest all were whitewashed, Sadly.

The Pavilion for Queens in the Zenana

After the formation of Independent India most parts of Amber Fort Jaipur were painted white in an effort to make them look shiny and new but rather than preserving the heritage, the government made a failed attempt at destroying the elegance, heritage, and charm of the past lost to the whitewash.

What are the entrance Fees for Amber Fort Jaipur for Foreign Tourists?

Entrance fees of Amber Fort for Foreign tourists are INR 550 and INR 150 for Foreign Students.

The tickets can be taken at the Amber Fort or booked on the Rajasthan government ticketing system.

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