Situated on the banks
of river Yamuna, northwest of the Taj Mahal, this majestic
fort was started by the Emperor Akbar, and it developed
as a stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive
generations. This majestic fortress of red sandstone
encompasses, within its 2.5- km-long enclosure walls,
the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises
many visionary palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace
and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls,
such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques.
Amar Singh gate towards the south is the entry point
in the fort and the mammoth walls of the fort are 20
feet high. The building and structures inside the fort
gives an impression of a city within the city. The marble
pearl mosque inside the fort is one of the most stunningly
beautiful mosques in India. Between the many pavilions,
you find small well maintained gardens.
Situated on the banks of river Yamuna, northwest of
the Taj Mahal, this majestic fort was started by the
Emperor Akbar, and it developed as a stronghold of the
Mughal Empire under successive generations. This majestic
fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-
km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal
rulers. It comprises many visionary palaces, such as
the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah
Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and
two very beautiful mosques.
» Amar Singh gate towards the south is the entry point in the fort and
the mammoth walls of the fort are 20 feet high. The
building and structures inside the fort gives an impression
of a city within the city. The marble pearl mosque inside
the fort is one of the most stunningly beautiful mosques
in India. Between the many pavilions, you find small
well maintained gardens.
» Diwan-e-Khas
This was the hall of private audience. This
hall was also added by Shah Jahan. This hall is divided
into two rooms connected by three arches and it was
here that the famous peacock throne was kept before
being shifted to Delhi by Aurangzeb and finally carried
away to Iran.
» Jehangir Mahal
Jahangir Mahal was the principal zenana palace,
palace for women belonging to the royal household, used
mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar. A splendid gateway
leads to an interior courtyard surrounded by grand halls
covered with profuse carvings on stone, heavily fashioned
brackets, piers, and crossbeams. This exotic medley
and adventurous eclecticism suggests a daring approach
in architecture.
» Khas Mahal
In the Khas Mahal enclosure,built by Shahjahan,
later Mughal architecture comes of age. The Khas Mahal
is an airy edifice, overlooking the specially laid Angoori
Bagh, grape garden; a simple formal Mughal garden. Windows
closed with jali (intricately perforated decorative
stone screens) present fabulous view of the riverfront.
The two copper-roofed pavilions built in the Bengali
traditions were meant for prominent ladies of the harem.
On three sides of this garden are residential quarters
of women.
» Sheesh Mahal
Mirror palace or the royal hammam (bath) is
decorated with myriad glass pieces and a central fountain.
» Machhi Bhawan
Opposite to the Diwan-E-Khas is the machhi
bhawan, the fish enclosure. The emperor sat on the white
marble platform facing the enclosure. It once contained
pools and marble fountains, which were carried off by
the Jat Raja Suraj Mal to his palace at Deeg.
» Musamman Burj
On the left of the Khaas Mahal is the Musamman
Burj built by Shahjahan. It is a beautiful octagonal
tower with an open pavilion. With its openness, elevation
and the benefit of cool evening breezes flowing in off
the Yamuna River, this could be well have been used
also as the emperor's bedroom. This is where Shah Jahan
lay on his death bed, gazing at Taj Mahal.
»The
Three Mosques
There are three mosques within the Fort. Nagina
Masjid has three graceful domes and was used by the
women of the harem. Then, there is the tiny Mina Masjid,
located near the Mussaman Burj which is now closed to
the public. The third is the Moti Masjid or the Pearl
Mosque, which was built by Shahjahan for his personal
use. |