Diwan-i-Khas

View of onyx stone throne base in front of Diwan-i-khas

View of marble stone throne base in front of Diwan-i-khas

View of Diwan-i-khas pillar

View of Diwan-i-khas - intricate work on pillars

View of Diwan-i-khas

Roof top paintings - Khaas Mahal

Panoramic view of Diwan-i-khas

Khass Mahal view

Khaas mahal jharokas

Khaas Mahal domes

Khaas Mahal

Intricate work in arches of Khaas Mahal

Intricate work - Khaas Mahal

Agra-fort-diwan-e-khas-pillar-base

Diwan-i-Khas or Hall of Private Audience was used by the emperor for the reception of important guests such as kings, ambassadors and nobles in private and to deal with important affairs of the state. Constructed in 1635, it had two halls and the interior hall was known as Tambi khana. Diwan-i-Khas had a flat wooden flat ceiling covered with gold and silver leaves in relief to imitate the rays of the sun. Open on three sides, one can enter it through five arched openings supported on double columns. Unlike other architectural example of Shah Jehan's time, it had no chhatris over the parapet. The Persian inscription inside the interior hall inlaid in black stone and dated 1636-37 compares the room to the highest heaven and the emperor to the sun. The chambers were profusely decorated with highly refined inlay work in floral patterns on the borders of the dados and exquisite carvings in the middle in relief. The work was done judiciously on the places selected carefully to present the work in the best possible manner.

Diwan-i-am

Diwan-i-aam - seat of the famed Peacock throne

Diwan-i-aam - Intricate workmanship on arch

Diwan-i-aam - intricate pillar work (none of the pillars block view from throne)

Distant view of the Diwan-i-aam

Diwan-e-Aam Lal Quila agra.

A result of earliest manifestation of Shah Jehan's love for marble, Diwan-I-Am or Hall of Public Audience was the place where the emperor addressed the general public as well as the nobility. Constructed between 1631-40, it is situated close to Machchhi Bhawan. The huge assembly hall measuring 201' by 67' has flat roof and two arched red sandstone gateways to the north and south. The façade has an arcade with nine bold arches and the hall is divided into three aisles. Though the building was constructed in red sandstone, yet it had been plastered with white shell plaster to resemble the white marble. The raised rectangular chamber from where the emperor addressed the people was ostentatiously ornamented.

Made in marble, this 'jharokha' with a three-arched opening and inlaid with precious stones, was known as the 'Takht-i-Murassa' (the Throne Room). This chamber was connected to the royal apartments and the royal ladies could watch the ceremonials of the Diwan-i-Am through the marble windows with perforated screens on the right and left of the emperor’s chamber, while not being seen by those in the hall

Delhi Gate Agra

The masterpiece of Akbar's time, Delhi Gate was built between 1568-69 to the western side of the fort and served as the principal gateway of the fort. It was purposefully designed to enhance the security of the fort. A wooden drawbridge was used to cross the moat and reach the fort from the mainland. Sharp curves, trap points and brick-paved ramp were devised to obstruct the path of the invading army. High and mighty bastions further strengthened the fort. Inside, there was another gateway by the name of Hathi Pol or Elephant-Gate. It was so named because of the two lifesize sculptures of elephants were erected here in such a manner that their upturned trunks made an archway. Today, one can see only the pedestals of these masonry elephants.

Two beautiful and ornamented double-storeyed bastions that are octagonal in shape and are crowned by a chhatri protected this entrance. It was spacious enough to contain series of living rooms, verandahs and pavilions. Delhi gate was profusely ornamented with all the techniques then in use. Stone carving done in geometrical, floral and stylized design, carving in bold relief, brackets with elephant heads, intricate jalies, stucco decoration on arched niches, soffits and semi-soffits with arabesque, geometrical and stalactite designs and blue, green, yellow and deep red glazed tiles graces its friezes

Anguri Bagh

Shah Jehan built Anguri Bagh or the Garden of Grapes in 1637. With Khas Mahal to its east and red sandstone arcades on the other three sides, it was the principal square of the zenana apartments or the living area of the royal ladies. There was a marble paved platform with a fountain in its centre and the garden itself was divided into compartments in intricate geometrical pattern. As the name suggests, this garden was known for harvesting choicest of grapes and flowers throughout the year. It was designed to be a pleasant retreat or the paradise garden for the royal ladies and ensured their complete privacy. Hammams or imperial bathhouses adorned with exquisite wall paintings in royal blue and gold were located to its northeast. The tanks near the Jehangiri Mahal ensured the water supply to the ponds and baths of this garden.

Amar Singh Gate

The southern gateway or the Amar Singh Gate was originally known as 'Akbar Darwaza' and was reserved for Mughal emperor Akbar and his personal entourage. Shah Jehan renamed it after the brave Rao Amar Singh of Jodhpur. According to the interesting anecdote, Amar Singh slew Salabat Khan, the chief treasurer of Shah Jehan in front of the emperor. Then he leapt with his horse over the high walls of the fort. The horse died with the fatal jump and Amar Singh was arrested and put to death. However, his courage won the admiration of the emperor and the gate was renamed as Amar Singh Gate in his honor. A red sandstone statue of his horse was erected at the very spot where he died.

Akbari Mahal

The ruins of Akbari Mahal (meaning Akbar's Palace) are a testimony to the presence of the huge imperial courts surrounded by a series of spacious chambers. Set between Jehangiri Mahal and Bengali Burj, it was once part of a larger palace complex and was used for residential purposes. Built between 1565-69, it had a large stone paved courtyard enclosed on all sides by suites and chambers. One can still see the few suites on the eastern side of the courtyard that have survived the rigors of time. One could enter it through the gateway on the western side, which was so designed that it ensured complete purdah and security for the women in the harem. There was a great Assembly hall with a high ceiling on the lower storey, which can still be seen but the upper storey is completely in ruins. It also had a hall with triple opening on the riverside.

Agra Fort

Fast facts -	Located in Agra. Also known as Red Fort or Lal Qila. It is built of red sandstone.
Did you know -	It has been counted as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO. There are two huge gates in the Agra Fort.
Must do -	See the 500 buildings inside the huge fort area.
Must see -	Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Khas Mahal, Shah Jahani Mahal, Anguri Bagh, Nagina Masjid, Naubat Khana, Zenana Mina Bazaar, Sheesh Mahal, Mina Masjid, Macchi Bhawan, Rang Mahal, Musamman Burj, Pearl Mosque, Golden Pavilions, Jahangiri Mahal and Shahi Burj.

Ever since Babur defeated and killed Ibrahin Lodi at Panipat in 1526, Agraplayed an important center of Mughal Empire. Akbar chose this city on the bank of River Yamuna as his capital and proceeded to build a strong citadel for the purpose. It is said that he destroyed the damaged old fort of Agra for the purpose and raised this grand group of monuments instead in red sandstone. Started in 1565, it took eight years and thirty-five lakh rupees to complete its construction and is second only to Taj in Agra. Qasim Khan Mir Barr-u-Bahr supervised the construction of this building.

One of the large fortified residences built at various strategic points of Mughal Empire; it had over five hundred buildings, as mentioned by Abul Fazal in his chronicles. Most of the buildings added later use marble as the chief construction material. At the time of Akbar, River Yamuna touched the fort and thus, a number of ghats were built here. Some of these ghats were meant to load and unload goods transported through river and other covered passages were for use by the harem inmates only.

Important Information

Timings: open all days from 6:00AM- 5:30PM daily. From Sunrise to Sunset.
Timings & Entry Fees: For Indians above 15 years: Rs. 20 per head. For foreigners above 15 years: US$ 5 or corresponding to Rs.520 per head

Accessibility
Agra City is easily accessible by Air Rail and Road transport. The agra fort can be approached by city taxi, rickshaw or by auto-rickshaw from the Taj.