subject: Agra Fort- Home Of Ancient Royalty [print this page] Agra is everything that India promises to be and more. From the little rickshaws that buzz through the traffic to the spicy street food every experience here is simply out of the ordinary. Agra does not disappoint when it comes to attractions either. Visitors to this sprawling metropolis have the opportunity to see everything from historic architectural sites to glorious palaces where the royalty of India lived and rested. Probably one of the most significant and most recognizable attractions of India is the Taj Mahal. This immortal monument dedicated to love is not Agras only tourist attraction as the Taj Nature Park, Chini-ka-Rauza and Agra Fort too call this city home.
Also known as the Red Fort of Agra, the Agra Fort is a walled palatial city which is classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site of India. This amazing fort is considered to be one of the most important places with regard to ancient political history and influence in the country. Some of Indias greatest leaders ruled their kingdom and spread their influence across the land living within the safety of these walls such as Babur, Shah Jahan, Akbar, Humayun, Aurangzeb and Jehangir. This location is where the royalty of India preferred to meet with foreign leaders and other important persons because of the security it offered and its favorable location in the city of Agra.
Agra Fort is an architectural masterpiece in the eyes of even the harshest critic. At times the forts walls reach up a staggering 70 feet while the intricate craftsmanship which decorates the nooks and corners of the various rooms and enclosures are breathtaking to the say the least. The Musamman Burj is located within the fort premises and is where Moghul King Shah Jahan was kept under house arrest by Aurangzeb who was his own son. This seemingly impenetrable fortress has a massive drawbridge which was known as the Elephant Gate. This drawbridge system along with a number of other security measures is known to have been a key feature in keeping out invaders.
