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Agra Fort

Agra · India

Background

World Heritage since
1983
Type of site
Cultural
Rebuilt by Akbar
1565–1573

Near the gardens of the Taj Mahal stands the 16th-century Mughal monument known as the Red Fort of Agra. UNESCO describes the powerful red sandstone fortress whose 2.5-km walls enclose the imperial city of the Mughal rulers: fairy-tale palaces such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal built by Shah Jahan, audience halls such as the Diwan-i-Khas, and two very beautiful mosques.

A brick fort stood here by 1080; Akbar rebuilt it in red sandstone from 1565 to 1573, and it was the main Mughal residence until the capital moved to Delhi in 1638. Shah Jahan added the white marble palaces and mosques after 1628, and Wikivoyage notes he ended up a prisoner in it, with a view of the Taj Mahal. Much of the fort is still held by the army and closed.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. 1080A brick fort on the site is first recorded
  2. 1565–1573Akbar rebuilds the fort in red sandstone
  3. After 1628Shah Jahan adds the white marble palaces
  4. 1638The capital moves to Delhi
  5. 1803The British capture the fort from the Marathas
  6. 1983Inscribed as World Heritage

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    Diwan-i-Am
    The Hall of Public Audience, with the marble throne platform.
  2. 2
    Diwan-i-Khas
    The Hall of Private Audience.
  3. 3
    Jahangiri Mahal and Khas Mahal
    Akbar's palace and Shah Jahan's marble pavilions.
  4. 4
    Musamman Burj
    The tower from which the imprisoned Shah Jahan looked at the Taj.
  5. 5
    Moti Masjid
    The Pearl Mosque.
  6. 6
    Amar Singh Gate
    The visitors' entrance.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

Combined Levy
Wikivoyage: entry plus a small levy unless you have already paid for the Taj Mahal; free left luggage, but a fine if you lose the ticket.
Rickshaw from the Taj
A short rickshaw ride from the Taj Mahal, or the Agra Fort metro station.
Afternoon Visit
The GoGo guide goes after a sunrise Taj Mahal; allow two hours.
Audio Guide
Audio guides in English and other languages are rented at the gate; no eating inside.

Taj and Fort

From the GoGo Agra guide · Open the Agra Guide ›

  1. 06:00
    Taj Mahal3 hrs
    At sunrise, closed on Fridays.
  2. 13:30
    Agra Fort2 hrs
    The red sandstone fort.
  3. 15:45
    Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah1 hr
    The Baby Taj across the river.
  4. 17:00
    Mehtab Bagh75 min
    The Taj across the river at sunset.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: Dec–Feb. Very hot (highs 34°C+) in Mar–Jul. Rainy season Jul–Aug.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Jul (185 mm), driest Nov (5 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Do These Together
The Taj Mahal is 2 km away, Fatehpur Sikri 36 km, and Keoladeo National Park 51 km.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 251 · Wikipedia: Agra Fort · Wikivoyage: Agra/City and Fort (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Agra guide · UNESCO listing