**Agra Fort**, An eye-catching example of Mughal architecture. It builds with brick inside the entire fort. Just a layer of red sandstone outside. The area of the fort is 2.5 km. Inside there are many palaces, minarets and mosques. This military fort was built sometime between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. It started during the reign of Emperor Akbar and ended in during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb. Agra Fort was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.
Agra Fort is a royal architecture, a symbol of strength, a unique masterpiece of art. Once you see Agra Fort, you don't like anything anymore. Indomitable curiosity in the mind. Traveling to Agra Fort was an important wish in my life.
Once upon a time I was a big fan of the TV series about the Mughal emperor, I used to watch the serial regularly and from then on it seems that Agra Fort is in my eyes. Also read a lot about this Agra fort, a wonderful castle. There was a lot of desire to visit this architecture one day. Then in January 2018 I got the long-desired opportunity.
My visit to Agra Fort
National planning Academy of Bangladesh arranged an exposure visit under the part of course ‘Post Graduate Diploma in Development Planning. The main objective of this visit to attended a program of national training institute of India.
Our total tour duration was 7 days. First 2 days we are attended a program designed by Ministry of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship of India. We have almost 16-18 participants from Bangladesh and about 20 participants from different countries also joined with us in first two days. In our 2nd day, we visited some places in Uttarpradesh. There we visited some small cottage industry like scissor making industry, embroidery industry which developed by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship of India. Although, we engaged with tight schedule first two days but another 5 days we visited many historical places of Delhi, Agra and Kolkata.
We contacted with a tour agency for manage our entire tour of India and they managed everything like hotel, transportation and local guides. When we reached Delhi, unfamiliar Delhi covered in fog. Winter seems to be in full swing. In our 3rd day we left Delhi for Agra.
After enter to Agra fort at first got Jahangir Mahal then Jodhabai's palace. After that Dewan-i-Am, this is the court hall and sitting on the throne here, Shah Jahan ruled the country and met with the people. A magnificent 40-pillar high court, Dewan-i-Khas was reserved for personal meetings. The precious peacock throne was here. Later it was looted by Nadir Shah.
The wonderful attraction of Agra Fort is Shishmahal, it’s a queen’s royal bathhouse. Great water engineering has been done here. Lamps were used here to heat the water. The walls of the Shismahal are inlaid with mirrors more expensive than marble. Numerous glass reflections created an aesthetic scene in Shishamahal.
The name of the emperor's rest house is Khasmahal. There is a mosque for women to pray here, Nagina Mosque. Moti Masjid for men. Everything is wrapped in royal aristocracy and craftsmanship.
Let's know some history of Agra Fort
Most of the present fort was built during the Mughal period. There was a moat around the fort which is still abandoned. However, during the Mughal period, there were crocodiles and other ferocious aquatic animals. After the moat was the garden. There were also all the terrible creatures. It was all about defeating the enemy. It can also be called as a lot of defense. Emperor Humayun's inauguration was held in this fort in 1530. Later, in 1556, Emperor Akbar declared Agra as the capital of the Mughal Empire. Since then, Agra fort has become more important. Emperor Shah Jahan was crowned in 1627 in this fort. The Marathas occupied the fort several times in the eighteenth century. The Marathas were utterly defeated in the third battle of Pani Path. Since then they have never been able to occupy this fort again. In 1803, the British occupied Agra. The last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Jafar fled to Rangoon.
Where to stay
Agra is the busiest city. Because it is a tourist city. there is no worry about staying and eating. There are public-private hotels of all budgets in Agra. Rent starts from 600 rupees. There are good quality hotels around Agra Cantonment. If you want to see the Taj Mahal up close, you can stay at a hotel next to the Taj. The total cost will be 1000-2500 rupees.
Eating and drinking
There are many local and foreign hotels and restaurants for food all over Agra. In these restaurants it is possible to have a one-time meal for only 150-160 rupees. There are several traditional cakes available in Agra. You can test if you wish.
Time Schedule
4 gates to enter Agra Fort. One is also towards the river Jamuna. However, Mansingh Gate is open every day. Open from sunrise to sunset. The Tajmahal is closed on Fridays but the Agra Fort is open.
Entry fee
The entry fee for Agra Fort is Rs 30 for Indians and Rs 550 for foreigners.
When to go
It is very hot in Agra. So it is wise not to go in summer. The best time is from November to February.
(N.B: All photo taken by me)