The Red Fort of Agra is perhaps one of the most magnificent specimens of Mughal architecture which portrays their

creative and artistic genius to the fullest. It took several decades to build this extraordinary monument. The credit for this work cannot be attributed to one person alone. Three emperors, Akbar, Jehangir and Shahjehan partook in the construction at different periods of time. The first person to start a construction in the area was Sultan Sikander Lodi who named the fort "Badalgarh". It was Akbar who tore it down and built in its place the high red sandstone ramparts, which give the fort its name. Legend says that Akbar built more than 500 buildings, palaces and pavilions overlooking the banks of the river Yamuna within the precincts of The Red Fort. These were mostly all torn down by his grandson, Shahjehan and only the "Jehangiri Mahal" still stands. The white marble palaces and courts that one sees today are mostly the work of Shahjehan. Shahjehan completed the Red Fort, which is known as "Lal Qila" in Hindi, in 1648. The walls surrounding the fort extend for more than two kilometers and vary in height between 18 meters and 33 meters. Shahjehan built this fort because he wanted to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi. But, before he could do this, he was captured and imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb in the fort itself, where he stayed until he died. The Red Fort is to be entered by the Delhi Gate to the west, which pierces the outer wall. After this, one goes through the "Hathi Pol" or Elephant Gate, which is a tiled and ornamented entrance that pierces the inner wall. Once inside, one sees the "Diwan-e-am" and the "Diwan-e-khas" which are pavilions where the king gave audience to the common people and the elite respectively. The "Rang Mahal" is a water-cooled apartment for the royal ladies and in the basement of the fort there is a market where one can buy traditional Indian goods at very competitive rates. The "Khas Mahal" and "Sheesh Mahal" are exquisitely ornamented halls, which portray the brilliance and splendor of Mughal royalty. There is also another entrance to the Red Fort, which is the "Lahori Gate". This entrance leads to the well-known "Chandni Market". In the evenings there is a special light and sound show organized for tourists which is a must see.

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