AGRA, Uttar Pradesh

Main Attraction: Agra Fort

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. Though, the principal structure was built by Akbar, many additions were made by his successors. The fascinating structure of Jahangiri Mahal built by Akbar for his Hindu queen Jodhabai was one of the earliest constructions illustrating change of fort from military structure to a palace. Divan-e-khas, Diwan-e-Aam, the Octagonal tower, Mina Masjid, Sheesh Mahal, Anguri Bagh are the main attractions within the fort complex. The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise.

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 center 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.

The fort contains splendid palaces both in red sandstone and white marble built by two generations of prolific builders Akbar and later Jehangir and Shahjahan.

Brief History

Agra has a rich historical background, which is amply evident from the numerous historical monuments in and around the city. The earliest reference for Agra comes from the epical age, when Mahabharata refer Agra as Agravana. In the sources prior to this, Agra has been referred as Arya Griha or the abode of the Aryans. The first person who referred Agra by its modern name was Ptolemy. District Agra is a part of the twelve groves of Brij Mandal. During ancient period the area was known as Agarvan where Lord Krishna used to play with his companions. There are number of sayings about giving the name to this place. One tale is that the name was given after the Brakish nature of the soils of this region. It was saltpan known in Hindi as Agra. The name of district is after the name of the town.

The district finds mention in the ancient literature where district occupied an almost central position in the janapadas (states) of ancient Madhyadesh and was one of the most celebrated regions both culturally and historically. Agra has been a habited region since long before the advent of Muslims. The present area of the district was part of Gupta era (455-467 A.D.). About the beginning of sixth century after having occupied the north west frontier region and Punjab, the Hunas under their chief Toramana penetrated into Madhyadesh. Towards the close of seventh or beginning of eighth century, king Yashovarman of Kannauj rose power and became the lord of whole of northern India.During ninth century and greater part of tenth century probably the area of the present district was under the feudatories of Gujrar Pratihars. Towards the end of 1018 A.D. Mahmud Ghazni again invaded India with a hundred thousand horses raised in his own dominions and twenty thousand foot soldiers of fortune from several Central Asian countries. About 1196 A.D.Shihab-ud-din and Kutub-ud-din Aibak conquered the area of the present district. It was probably during the time of Alauddin Khilji (1296-1316) that region eventually came under the rule of the Sultans of Delhi.

Though the heritage of Agra city is linked with the Mughal dynasty, numerous other rulers also contributed to the rich past of this city. Modern Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodhi (Lodhi dynasty; Delhi Sultanate) in the 16th century. The area was under the sway of Sikandar Lodi during (1489-1511). He established his military Headquarters at Agra and founded the city of Agra in 1505. A fort was built during his reign and made Agra the capital of his kingdom in the 16th and early 17th century. Babar (founder of the Mughal dynasty) also stayed for sometime in Agra and introduced the concept of square Persian-styled gardens here.

Emperor Akbar built the Agra fort and Fatehpur Sikri near Agra. Fatehpur Sikri remained his capital for around fifteen years after which the city was left isolated in mysterious circumstances. Jahangir beautified Agra with palaces and gardens despite spending most of his time in Kashmir with which he was passionately attached. Agra came to its own when Shahjahan ascended to the throne of Mughal Empire. He marked the zenith of Mughal architecture, when he built the Taj in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The seventh wonder of the world. Taj Mahal famous for architectural splendor of the mausoleum is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal Empire. Its significance as a political center ended with the transfer of the capital to Delhi in 1634 by Shah Jahan.

In his later years, Shahjahan shifted his capital to the new city of Shahjahanabad in Delhi and ruled from there. Shahjahan was dethroned in 1658 by his son, Aurangzeb who imprisoned him in the Agra Fort. Aurangzeb shifted the capital back to Agra till his death. After the death of Aurangzeb, Mughal Empire could not touch its peak and many regional kingdoms emerged. After the Mughals, Marathas and Jats ruled the area and they also made changes in the administrative units which were constructed by Akbar and finally the British taking over the city.The Marathas were defeated by British in 1803 and Agra was made a revenue division in 1834. The boundaries areas and internal adjustments of the district underwent several changes during the year 1874, 1878 and 1879 British rule ended with rest of the country in 1947 and in 1989 a new district–Firozabad was formed out of this district.