Construction
began on the fort
in the 10th century. It was a
simple mud and brick fortress
along the Yumana river... |
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Later,
the site was partially
converted into a palace during
the reign of Shah Jahan, who
lived in the fortress and died
there - a prisoner of his own son.
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Under
Akbar (1564-1570s) of
the Mughal dynasty it was
rebuilt along the lines of its
predecessor, which accounts
for its irregular outer walls.
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The
outer walls, built during
Akbar's time, are penetrated by
two gates, called the Amar Singh
and the Delhi gate respectively.
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The
Red Fort is designated a
World Heritage Monument.
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To the right we see one of
the main outer gates.
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The
interior of the fortress, today,
is largely empty. Built during the
time of Shah Jahan, and after,
these structures were worked on
by many from the Mughal empire.
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The
typical Islamic 'spade'
shaped archway.
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In
the ancient Hindu yogic
tradition, the six-pointed star
is the symbol associated with
the heart chakra, anahata.
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One
of the other interior
gates to the Fort of Agra.
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Within,
you can see the
detailed and artistically
down architecture. It must
have been the rage at the time.
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Almost
every entranceway
and exit had hand carved
sandstone arches.
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Where
the decorative and
the structural begin and
end, I do not know.
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The
other side of this wall extends
down some 10 metres, and
you can look down across the
Yumana riverbed and see
the Taj Mahal from here, as well.
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