Agra Things to Do Tips by grets

Russel Gowen's Grave The Red Fort Review

The grave of Russel Gowen who died defending the fort in 1857.

Diwan-i-Khas The Red Fort Review

The Hall of Private Audiences.

Built by Shah Jahan in 1636, the emperor would meet here with important dignitaries and foreign ambassadors.

The famous Peacock Throne was kept here before being moved to Delhi by Aurangzeb. It was later carried off to Iran, and its remains are now in Tehran.

Prison cell The Red Fort Review

This is the actual room where Shah Jahan was imprisoned. The walls were covered with mirrors, so that he could view the Taj Mahal from every angle.

The Khas Mahal The Red Fort Review

The Emperor's private palace. The rooms underneath were intende as a cool retreat from the summer heat. The buildings either side were for his two favourite daughters.

Mussaman Burj The Red Fort Review

Octagonal Tower.

Also known as the Saman Burj.

The tower was built by Shah Jahan for Mumtaz Mahal, but it was here that Shah Jahan died after seven years imprisonment by his son Aurangzeb.

Diwan-i-Am The Red Fort Review

Hall of Public Audiences.

Built by Shah Jahan to replace an earlier wooden structure. It was here in 1609 that Capt. Will Hawkins presented Emperaor Jahangir a letter of introduction from King James I, which started Britain's long association with India's rulers.

Jehangir's Palace Sikandra Review

Jehangir's Palace is the largest private residence in the Red Fort and was built by Akbar for his son.

The Red Fort The Red Fort Review

The Amar Singh Gate - the entrance to Agra Fort. The fort was started by Akbar in 1565, additions made by his grandson Shah Jahan. In Akbar's time it was a military structure, by Shah Jahan's time a palace.

The Amar Singh Gate was named after the Maharaja of Jadpur, who was killed beside the gate along with his followers after a brawl in the Diwan-i-Am in 1644.

Main entrance to the Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal Review

Arriving at the Taj Mahal, you enter through this gateway. Video cameras are not allowed, neither are camera tripods.

The gateway sports 11 chhatri (umbrella domes) and inscriptions from the Koran in Arabic.

Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal Review

Many people had spoken to me about the Taj Mahal prior to me visiting India, and saying what a moving experience it is to see it. I never understood how seeing a building could actually be emotional.

That was until I visited myself. I cannot explain it, but the Taj Mahal had such a powerful effect on me - way beyond my control. I don't mind admitting that I cried when I first set eyes on this beautiful mausoleum.

The Taj Mahal was built between 1631 and 1653 by Emperor Shah Jahan as the tomb for his wife Arjuman better known as Momtaz Mahal 'Ornament of the Palace'. She died during the birth of her fourteenth child. After his death, Shah Jahan was buried by her side. .