Preview

Fort Agra

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
740 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Fort Agra
Agra Fort

Agra Fort is located (270 10' 47''N & 780 1' 22'' E) on the right bank of the river Yamuna in the city of Agra in Uttar. The magnificent towers, bastions, ramparts, and gateways of the Agra Fort symbolize the stature and power of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Built between 1565 and 1571 AD, it is said that the emperor Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal, was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. The magnificent Agra fort, though started by Emperor Akbar, was completed by his grandson Shah Jahan.

The fort was embellished with number of richly decorated buildings encompassing the imposing Mughal style of art and architecture. Sikandar Lodi (1487-1517) was the first Sultan of Delhi to shift his capital from Delhi to Agra. After Sikandar Lodi who died in 1517, his son Ibrahim Lodi held the fort for 9 years until he was defeated and killed in the battle of Panipat in 1526. Several palaces, wells and a mosque were built in the fort during the Lodi period.

When Babur (the founder of Mughal dynasty) sent his son Humayun to Agra, he captured the fort and seized a vast treasure, which included the world famous ‘Koh-i-noor' diamond as well. Babur built a baoli (step-wall) here. Humayun was coronated here in 1530. Nazam, a water-carrier (saqqa). He also introduced the concept of square Persian-styled gardens here. Humnyun was crowned here as an emperor for half-a-day. After his defeat at Bilgram in 1540, Sher Shah of the Sur dynasty occupied Agra fort and garrisoned it.

Akbar arrived in Agra in 1558. He ordered to renovate the fort with red sandstone. Some 4000 builders daily worked on it and it was completed in 8 years (1565-1573).

The fort, semi-circular on plan, is surrounded by a 21.4 m high fortification wall which stretches almost 2.5km. Double ramparts have been provided here with broad massive circular bastions at regular intervals. There are four gates on its four sides, one of the gates was called "khizri-gate" (the water gate) which opens

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Starting at the base of the Taj Mahal all sis elements of visual design, line, space, light and color, texture, pattern, and time and motion are all present. The Taj Mahal was completed in 1648 C.E. after 22 years of construction by Muslim Emperor Shan Jahan and master architect Ustad Isa. The Taj was erected on a square base that measures 186 x 186 feet, with the four corners truncated, which created an unequal octagon. Immediately upon first sight one can see the self-replicating geometry and symmetrical design. Varieties of lines are visible from straight lines of the base to the round dome 213 feet above. Each archway is exactly the same shape, pointed arch, but not all equal in size. Gems, designs and calligraphy can be found inside and out of the white marble masterpiece. The white marble design gives it a smooth texture and clean appearance. Depending on the time and light it will appear to change color, some say this identifies the moods of women. The color is reflected from the light and red sandstone used to construct surrounding structures. The reflection of the Taj can be seen on the Jumna River that flows on the backside of the Taj Mahal.…

    • 630 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Chapter 8 Study Guide

    • 756 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan erected this building complex as a tomb and monument for his wife.…

    • 756 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Shah Jahan- Akbar’s grandson who reigned at the high point of Mughal literature, art, and architecture, designed the Taj Mahal…

    • 361 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ap World Ch 20

    • 1176 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Isfahan – Safavid capital under Abbas the Great; planned city laid out according to shah’s plan; example of Safavid architecture…

    • 1176 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    St Augustine Fort

    • 403 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Upon approach, the fort looks simplistic as it overlooks the sea. A square building that could be anything from a fort, to an armory, to a storage center. The closer and closer you get, the more you realize its great size, and the intimidation factor sets in. Upon entrance, all the hidden secrets and true power of the fort is revealed. The square courtyard is surrounded by solid, windowless, concrete walls that tower 20 feet over you. Cannons line every side up top, ready to be wheeled into action against attacking forces. A small dome shaped tube is placed in a corner for a watchman to look out over the ocean, ready to spot anyone looking to intrude.…

    • 403 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Mughal Empire was founded by Babur, a descendant of Genghis Khan. He ruled over a small kingdom in Turkestan. Thanks to the Turks, Babur had learned new cavalry tactics and,…

    • 724 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Its Construction Started In The Year 1631. It Took Around 22 Years To Build This Monument. It Is Made Completely Out Of White Marble Which At That Time Was Imported In India From Central Asia. It Took Around 20,000 Laborers And Around 800-1000 Elephants. The Expenditure of the Whole Construction Approximately 32 Million Rupees Which Would Probably Be Around 68000 USD. The Construction Was Completed In The Year 1653.…

    • 430 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The work of art I chose is on Page 236. Figure 8.20, Taj Mahal, Agra, India, 1632-1654. The great Memorial was built by Shah Jahan, the ruler of the Mughal Empire in India. Mumtaz Mahal was his beloved wife, and he constructed a Mausoleum for his wife’s final resting place. The color of the building is white which gives it a well-ordered and fresh look. Also, the Taj Mahal is Constructed on a raised platform.…

    • 425 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Conceived as both an instrument of propaganda and of an earthly replica of the house of Mumtaz in paradise, the Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful and symbolic buildings in the world. It is the finest examples of Mughal architecture, a style that merges elements from Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles, and a style that greatly influenced the Hindu community. Throughout history, the origins and sources that were used for the design of the Taj Mahal and the effect that the Mughals had in India over architecture, has been of argument. I examine such views to suggest the direct and indirect sources of influence for both the style and design of the Taj Mahal.…

    • 1490 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Forbidden City

    • 586 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Taj Mahal is a beautiful white marble structure. It was built in 1632. It took 22 years to complete the marvelous structure. Agra fort is an ancient Indian City. It was built in 1565. The city has several mosques and palaces. Amid Fort is a historic attraction in Amir. The fort has four levels, and each level has a courtyard.…

    • 586 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The first people was thought to have reached India from Africa in 40,000 BC. The first civilization started out as hunters and gatherers. Around 4000 BC the Indians started farming. The Indians then moved near the Indus River Valley where they started using irrigation and started building their first cities. The Indians built two main cities that we know of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. Both cities are currently located in current Pakistan.The first Indian buildings and houses were built out of stone and were built two to three stories high and they had sewage systems. The Indians built there structures with bronze tools. They learned how to make bronze tools from the Sumerians. The Indians wrote hieroglyphs, same as the ancient Egyptians. By 2000 BC the Harappan civilization had collapsedThe earliest buildings in India were built by the Harappan people the Indus River Valley, in about 2500 BC. Their buildings included high brick walls around their cities to keep out enemies. Among India's ancient architectural remains, the most characteristic are the temples, Chaityas, Viharas, Stupas and other religious structures. The distinct architectural style of temple construction in different parts was a result of geographical, climatic, ethnic, racial, historical and linguistic diversities.Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world. It was built by the Muslim emperor Shah Jahan in Agra, India. Taj Mahal was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers. It was made entirely of marble. The Taj Mahal incorporates and expands on design traditions of Persian architecture and earlier Mughal architecture.The Indian period is unique in its art, literature and architecture. Indian art is constantly challenged as it rises to the peak of achieving the ideals of one philosophy in a visual form, then begins anew for another. This challenge and revolution in thought ovides, Indian artists with reasons for innovatiion and creation,…

    • 491 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The study shall reveal the various influences on the architecture of the fort, which include the outer influences like the Mughal rule, Nawab rule and inner influences of rituals and culture of the region. In conclusion, ideas for the renovation and preservation of the Gadwal fort in various forms are…

    • 2250 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mughal Architecture

    • 2857 Words
    • 12 Pages

    Sher Shah of the Sur Dynasty who ruled over the Kingdom of the Mughals after driving Humayun out of the country was not only a great administrator but a lover of art also. He built several forts, tombs and mosques. The monuments of Sher Shah are a continuation of the Lodi style. The mausoleums are octagonal in plan and have verandahs around them, surmounted by huge domes. The verandahs have three smaller domes on each side.…

    • 2857 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Wonders of the World

    • 618 Words
    • 3 Pages

    It was a large monument built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the most famous wonders of the world and part of the “New Seven Wonders of the World.” It is a huge tourist attraction and attracts about 2 to 4 million people per year. It was built in the 1600s. After he died, he was buried next to Mumtaz. There are some myths alluding to the dismemberment of the people who worked on it. Even though there is no actual evidence, this could be true. People believed that he had the workers mutilated in order to make sure that there could be no other replica of the Taj Mahal anywhere else in the world but now there are about 5 copies of it in the world.…

    • 618 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Fort Murud Janjira

    • 826 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Murud-Janjira is the local name for a fort situated at the coastal village of Murud, in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India.[1] It is famous for being the only fort along India's western coast that remained undefeated despite Dutch and English East India Company attacks.…

    • 826 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays

Related Topics