Around Taj Mahal
Agra
Fort
The
construction of the Agra fort was started around 1565 when the initial
structures were built by Akbar. Shah Jahan replaced most of these with his
marble creations. Some however survived, among them are- Delhi Gate, Amar
Singh Gate, Akbari Mahal and the Jahangiri Mahal.
The fort is
crescent-shaped, flattened on the east with a long, nearly straight wall
facing the river. It has a total perimeter of 2.4 km, and is ringed by
double castellated ramparts of red sandstone punctuated at regular intervals
by bastions. A 9mt. wide and 10mt.deep moat surrounds the outer wall. An
imposing 22mt. high inner wall imparts a feeling of invincible defensive
construction. The route through the Amar Singh gate is dog-legged. The
layout of the fort was determined by the course of the river, which in those
days flowed alongside. The main axis is parallel to the river and the walls
bridge out towards the city.
Fatehpur Sikri
A
royal city perfectly preserved, Fatehpur Sikri provides a marvellous escape
into the past. Akbar embarked on the construction of a new capital here when
a prophecy of the birth of a male royal heir, by the Sufi Saint Salim Chisti
of Sikri, came true.
Imposing gateways and light- hearted palaces
were built in red sandstone within this fortified city only to be abandoned
a few years later.
Among
its many architectural game are the places for his queens - Jodha Bai,
Mariyam and his Turkish sultana, built in varying styles, each perfect in
itself.
The Diwan-e-Khas entirely unique in its concept is a tall
vaulted room with an intricately carved central pillar and capital
supporting a platform that once held the emperor's throne.
Narrow
galleries link this to the corners of the room where it is believed his
ministers sat The airy Panch Mahal a 5 storied structure rising in pyramidal
fashion was probably used by the ladies of the court.
Set like a
jewel in a courtyard of pink sandstone is the finest building here, the
marble tomb of Salim Chisti enclosed by finely carved, lacy marble screens.
The Buland Darwaza, an imposing gateway 54 m high was built to
commemorate Akbar's Aligarh the famous university town is a center of
Islamic studies. The city is also noted for its handicrafts and metal wares.
Sikandra
A
supurb of Agra, only 13 km. from the Agra Fort, the last resting place of
the Mughal emperor Akbar. Akbar was the greatest of the Mughal emperors and
one of the most secular minded royalties of his time. He was the heir to a
long tradition of oriental refinement, a great patron of the arts,
literature, philosophy and science.
A visit to Akbar's monument
opens before one, the completeness of Akbar's personality as completely as
the Taj Mahal does of Mumtaz Mahal's. Akbar's vast, beautifully carved,
red-ochre sandstone tomb is set amidst a lush garden. Akbar himself planned
his own tomb and selected a suitable site for it. To construct a tomb in
one's lifetime was a Tartary custom which the Mughals followed religiously.
Akbar's son Jahangir completed the construction of this pyramidal tomb in
1613.
