Agra Fort, Agra (must see)

Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as one of India’s most impressive monuments of Mughal power and artistry. Spread across 94 acres on the banks of the Yamuna River, this vast red sandstone fortress functioned not only as a military bastion but also as a royal city within walls rising up to seventy feet high. Its semicircular layout is reinforced by double ramparts, sturdy bastions, and intricate battlements, making it both formidable and elegant in design.

Construction of the current fort began in 1565 under Emperor Akbar, who ordered the rebuilding of an earlier fortification to serve as the new center of the Mughal Empire. Over 4,000 workers labored daily for nearly eight years to complete the massive red sandstone walls and inner structures. The fort’s grand gateways reflect its importance: the Delhi Gate once served as the main ceremonial entrance, while the Lahori Gate—now called the Amar Singh Gate—is the primary entry point for visitors today.

Inside, the fort unfolds like a self-contained city, with palaces, audience halls, mosques, and courtyards connected through a maze of passageways. The Diwan-i-Am (meaning Hall of Public Audience) features elegant arches where emperors addressed their subjects, while the Diwan-i-Khas (meaning Hall of Private Audience) hosted foreign dignitaries and courtly gatherings beneath its delicately carved marble pillars.

Under Shah Jahan, Akbar’s grandson and the builder of the Taj Mahal, many of the sandstone palaces were transformed with white marble and intricate inlay work, creating a striking contrast between military might and imperial refinement. From the Musamman Burj, a marble tower overlooking the river, Shah Jahan is said to have spent his final years gazing at the distant Taj Mahal.

Throughout its history, Agra Fort has mirrored the changing fortunes of the Mughal dynasty, showcasing a blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural motifs that together tell the story of one of India’s most dynamic and artistically rich eras.