Agra Fort, Agra

The Agra Fort, also known as the “Lal –Qila”, “Fort Rouge” or “Qila-i-Akbari”, is the highlight of the city of Agra, then capital of the Mughal Sultanate .A symbol of power, strength and resilience, as it stands today in full glory.

A vuew of Agra Fort

The Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is about 2.5 km northwest of its more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled city.

History of Agra Fort :

The present-day structure was built by the Mughals, though a fort had stood there since at least the 11th century. Agra Fort was originally a brick fort known as Badalgarh, held by Raja Badal Singh Hindu Sikarwar Rajput king (c. 1475). It was mentioned for the first time in 1080 AD when a Ghaznavide force captured it. Sikandar Lodi (1488–1517) 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 second capital. He died in the fort at 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. The Mughals under Akbar defeated King Hemu finally at theSecond Battle of Panipat in 1556 Realizing the importance of its central situation, Akbar made it his capital and arrived in Agra in 1558.

 Hem Chandra Vikramaditya who won Agra in 1553 and again 1556 defeating Akbar's army

Architectural Facts:

Agra Fort is built on the ‘Karmuka–Khadaga’ plan, according to norms laid down in ‘Shilp Shastra’. The plan is semicircular, like a bow, with the straight line of fortification running parallel to the river Yamuna, Such a layout  described as ‘Karmuka’ [literally meaning a ‘bow’] in the ancient Indian Vastu texts is regarded as best suited for a king since it is fortified by strong walls with bastions and surrounded by a moat. The 380,000 m2 (94-acre) fort has a semicircular plan, its chord lies parallel to the river and its walls are seventy feet high. Double ramparts have massive circular bastions at intervals, with battlements, embrasures, machicolations and string courses. Four gates were provided on its four sides, one Khizri gate opening on to the river.

Two of the fort's gates are notable: the "Delhi Gate" and the "Lahore Gate." The Lahore Gate is also popularly known as the "Amar Singh Gate," for Amar Singh Rathore.

Because the Indian military (the Parachute Brigade in particular) is still using the northern portion of the Agra Fort, the Delhi Gate cannot be used by the public. Tourists enter via the Amar Singh Gate.

Plan of the Red Fort (Agra Fort)

The Lahore Gate is (popularly known as the "Amar Singh Gate," )

Agra Fort Diwan-e-Aam (Hall of Public Audience)

Diwan-e-Khas

Diwan-e-Khas

Jahangir Palace

OPENING HOURS -              Sunrise to Sunset

Entry Fee: 
        
Free entry: Children below 15 years

Indian Visitors: Total Rs.20.00 (Rs.10.00 by ASI as Entry fee and Rs.10.00 by ADA as Toll tax). 

Citizen of SAARC and BIMSTEC countries: Total Rs.60/- (Rs.10/- by ASI as Entry fee and Rs.50/-by ADA as Toll tax).

Other Foreign Visitor :Total Rs.300/- (Rs.250/- by ASI as Entry fee and Rs.50/-by ADA as Toll tax).

(Note: Foreign Visitors who purchase Agra Development Authority (ADA)'s Pathkar (Toll tax) ticket of Rs.500/- forTajMahal, need not to purchase any other Pathkar(Toll tax) ticket, if he/she visits the monuments viz. TajMahal, Agra Fort, FatehpurSikri, Akbar's Tomb, Itimad-ud-Daulah's tomb on the same day) .

On Friday ADA does not levy any Toll Tax in monuments.

AUDIO GUIDE FACILITY:

Audio Guides Facility in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Hindi and Bangla is available at Agra Fort. Please contact near Ticket Booking counter.