Outside Walls of the Red Fort, Agra, Rajasthan, India
Our entire focus was on Agra’s most famous sight, the Taj Mahal, so the beauty of 16th century Agra Fort, a mélange of red sandstone and white marble, came as a pleasant surprise. For its early Mughal ruler, Akbar, it served as a mighty fort. The huge moot running around is the first hint of its defensive character during times long gone. The impressive outside walls are dark-red and the majority of the buildings are of the same color. Later, Sha Jahan used his favorite building material, white marble, to turn this fort into a palace.
Lahore Gate, Red Fort, Agra, Rajasthan, India
Outside Walls of the Red Fort near Lahore Gate, Agra, Rajasthan, India
With its many courtyards, gardens and intriguingly decorated palaces, the fort draws large crowds, mainly Indians. It was there that we discovered that Indian tourists share a common passion with Chinese domestic tourists. As soon as they spot an individual western tourist, they ask him to pose for a picture with the family, the kids… With each photo more people would cramp in. In southwest China, Gilles was the attraction for young urban Chinese women, in India Heidi was main target…
Diwan-i-Am, Red Fort, Agra, Rajasthan, India
Diwan-i-Am, Red Fort, Agra, Rajasthan, India
The Mughal Emperors’ sense for stunning architecture was as developed as their inclination for intrigue. Murderous relationship between son and father were not uncommon. Even Sha Jahan, the famous builder of the Taj Mahal, was overthrown by his son and died imprisoned at Agra Fort looking daily at the marvel he had created. Temperatures end of March were murderous, and in ancient times this could be taken literally. Eunuchs, political opponents, unfaithful wives were buried breast-deep in the sand and left to the blazing sun.
Inside the Red Fort, Agra, Rajasthan, India
Inside the Red Fort, Agra, Rajasthan, India
So enthused we were that we came back for the sound & light show at night: some light effects and a very detailed narration of Emperor Akbar’s brave military enterprises, with lots of sword-crashing sound effects…
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