The Agra Fort

Agra fort is a UNESCO world heritage site. With or without this distinction, it is a landmark monument in the history of India. It was built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 16th century, and is still an imposing structure after four centuries. It is made of red sandstone, and is actually a small city in itself - a complex maze of buildings, chambers passageways, towers, balconies.

Today, quite a large part of the fort are out of bounds for the visitors, but the part you are allowed to visit is huge enough to tire one's feet but not the eyes!

The Entrance Gate (Of the four gates, this is the only one open to public)

Jehangiri Mahal (Jehangir's palace)

Deewan-e-aam
(The hall of public audience)

Inside Deewan-e-aam - The seat of the Peacock Throne

Taj Mahal - as seen from the Fort

Taj - the grandeur

Taj stands so majestic, an imposing structure in its white marble, that it never fails to inspire an awe, no matter how many times you have visited it before. Few last pictures of the grand monument, before we move on ....

Taj - different strokes

From the base of the tomb

One of the minarets

A Bore-well

Cupola - it is the leftmost part of the Naqqarkhana structure

The entrance - seen from the platform of the tomb
(It was a cloudy winter day, so some pictures got hazy)

Taj - Art Work

Entrance of the tomb

Designs inlaid in marble with colorful stones

Floral designs hand-carved into marble

An ornate dome

A series of arches ... symmetry!

The Wonder That Is Taj

Okay! The picture in the last post is the Naqqarkhana [resthouse] that flanks the Taj at the right, according to the Islamic architecture. And the next few posts are going to be dedicated to the great specimen of architecture, that is The Taj!

I might be committing a grave sacrilege, but the fact is that the Taj does not inspire me as a monument to love. However, in beauty, grandeur, architecture and engineering, I find it an unparalleled marvel. The white marble structure stands imposing in the lush green lawns. And though I have seen it a few times, on each visit, the first sight does not fail to strike an awe. For those who might not have actually visited the Taj, the pictures must look magnificent; but believe me, it is an experience worth all the trouble and hassle to visit it in person. The sight is such that cannot be described in words, on in any number of pictures!

About ...
(Click to enlarge to read!)

The Main Entranceway


Wah! Taj!!

The waterway

The Naqqarkhana
(As seen from the marble platform of Taj)

The Naqqarkhana again
(On its own base, flanked by two cupolas)

Guess who?

This picture comes by the way of introduction for next series of posts. Any guesses?

(click on the image for a larger view)