Agra Fort

Overview

Agra Fort was the main residence of the Mughal emperors until the capital moved to Delhi. Its red sandstone walls enclose palaces, audience halls and mosques that mix Hindu and Islamic design. Akbar began the present fort in 1565, and Jahangir and Shah Jahan added to it, above all with marble pavilions.

According to tradition, Shah Jahan spent his last years confined in the fort, looking across the river at the Taj Mahal he had built.

What to look for

• Diwan-i-Am, the hall of public audience, and the marble Diwan-i-Khas
• Musamman Burj, the octagonal tower with a view toward the Taj
• Jahangiri Mahal, a sandstone palace that blends Rajput and Mughal styles
• The walls and gateways seen from outside the fort

Visiting tips

• Allow about two hours and combine it with the Taj Mahal on the same day.
• Wear comfortable shoes: the fort is large, with ramps and steps.
• Some parts remain off limits because the army uses them.
• Late afternoon light is warm on the sandstone.

Why visit with a private guide

A private guide shows you where to stand, when to arrive and what most visitors miss at Agra Fort, and fits the visit around the rest of your day.

More photographs

Nearby

Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj) Taj Mahal Buland Darwaza Mehtab Bagh (Taj view) Akbar's Tomb Prem Mandir Salim Chishti Tomb