Agra Fort Travel Guide: History & 4 Major Attractions in Agra Fort (2024)
Introduction to Agra Fort
Agra is one of the most developed cities of Uttar Pradesh, with spectacular tourist destinations and pilgrim attractions to visit. The city boasts of its richness in history that shaped the past and present of the country as well. Agra was one of the major provinces under the rule of the Mughals and other Islamic rulers. A number of remarkable monuments and structures were built during their regimes, and they are indeed some of the best tourist attractions to visit at present in India. We are now going to take a look at one of such most important tourist attractions in Agra, which was built under the regime of the Mughal empire – The Agra Fort.
An Overview of Agra Fort
The city of Agra was once the capital of the Mughal dynasty and one of the most prosperous cities of India, even after their capital was shifted to Delhi. Until the mid 17th century, Agra was the capital of Mughals, and the Agra Fort was the residence of the Mughal rulers and nobilities. Agra Fort is undoubtedly one of the best constructions under the Mughal regime as it portrayed the strength of a fort and the beauty of Mughal architecture at the same time. Agra forts proximity to one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal, also makes this an elite tourist attraction in Agra for visitors. 
Even before the regime of the Mughals, the Agra fort had undergone a lot of battles and bloodshed, including the Ghaznavis, Chauhan Rajputs, and Lodhis. Only after the Mughals came on to power, the fort of Agra was renovated to its present state. It was the home of Mughal rulers and noblemen for a century from then. Then the Maratha rulers and later British East India company claimed their possession over the Agra fort.
The History Behind Agra Fort
The first battle of Panipat gave the Mughals an upper hand and claimed over the Agra fort. But soon, they were defeated by Suris, and Jahangir reclaimed the Agra fort and made it their headquarters. Akbar, the third royal Mughal emperor, was behind the renovation and modification of the Agra fort with excellent architecture and craftsmanship.
The Agra fort was previously known as Badalgarh and took eight years to complete the rebuilding and renovation process. Now let’s take a deeper look at some of the major attractions of Agra fort.
4 Major Attractions of Agra Fort
Shahjahani Mahal
Shahjahani Mahal of the Agra fort used to be the residence of the Mughal emperor Shahjahan, which was renovated with red sandstone, right in between Khas Mahal and Jahangiri Mahal. The layout of the Shahjahani Mahal included a large hall, rooms on the side, and a tower facing the river.
Jahangir’s Hauz
Hauz refers to the bathing tank or space and the bathing tank used by the Mughal emperor Jahangir. It is also one of the primary attractions of Agra fort.
Jahangir’s Chain of Justice
One of the best contributions by the Mughal dynasty to the nation was the Chain of Justice. This is where the quick and even major administrative decisions were taken, and even a common man can make his grievances at the chain of justice. This space was made of gold, and it assured instant and fair justice.
Image Source Photo Credit: Sreeraman M.G
Ghazni Gate
Apart from the ones which are built by the Mughal rulers, there are also other attractions in the Agra fort. One such spot is the Ghazni Gate, which is believed to be built in the 11th century. The gates made of sandalwood were on the tomb of Mahmud Ghaznavi, which was later claimed by the British in the mid 19th century.
How To Reach Agra Fort?
By Road: Agra is one of the most developed cities of India, both in infrastructure and administration. Therefore the road connectivity to Agra extends to even major cities of South India too. Moreover, the location of the Agra fort is in the heart of the city, which makes the local transportation too, both private and public, a lot easier and convenient to pick.
By Rail: The central railway station of Agra is very well connected to even the small railway stations of North India and all major railway junctions of South India. It’s proximity to the national capital and being a part of a bigger state like Uttar Pradesh provides Agra with all the benefits in its railway network.
By Air: The domestic airport of Agra has well-established connectivity via air to all parts of India. Even if you are facing any difficulties in reaching out to Agra, the International airport of New Delhi is a viable and perfect option to pick.
Conclusion
Agra is a city with many wonders to visit, more than you can ever think of. While planning your trip to Agra, make sure you visit all the major attractions there to have a nice experience and enjoy some leisure time to its fullest.
