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Agra Fort
 The Agra fort in Agra, also famous as the Lal Qila and Red Fort of Agra, is about a mile northwest to the Taj Mahal. The fort comprises many beautiful structures like the Jahangir Palace, the Khas Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas and two beautiful mosques. The fort originally had four gates, two of which were later walled up; one of the gates was called “khizri-gate”. The fort has survived the onslaught of time, nature and men and spreads over an area of about 94 acres of land. At present, there are more than two dozen monuments in the Fort.
A World Heritage Site, it had served the great Mughal emperors namely Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shan Jahan and Aurengzeb as their abode. Visitors are allowed entry only through the Amar Singh Gate. Jahangiri Mahal in the fort is considered to be the most notable of Akbar’s contributions and the only surviving ‘Akbari’ structure within the walled complex. Adjacent to this mahal, Akbar also built a palace for her favourite queen Jodha Bhai. This palace was used primarily by the wives of Akbar.
The Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan, is the best example of painting on a white marble. Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace) or the royal hammam (bath) is decorated with myriad glass pieces and a central fountain. Musamman Burj (an octagonal tower) within the Agra Fort is the most romantic, ornamental pavilion wherein two most beautiful and powerful Mughal queens - Nurjahan (Jahangirs's chief Queen) and Mumtaz Mahal (Shahjahan's chief Queen) lived. The quality of pieta durra (stone inlay work) decoration is fabulous and perfect.
Diwan-I-khas (Hall of Private audience) was built by Shahjahan in 1636-67 and is a small hall with double marble columns inlaid with pieta durra decoration. Here the Mughal Emperor received important dignitaries or foreign ambassadors. On the terrace, in front of this hall, are two marble thrones. The black throne belongs to Jahangir who, as Prince Salim in rebellion against Akbar at Allahabad, had ordered it for himself. Below this terrace lies the grand courtyard of Machchi Bhawan, meant for harem functions. On another side stands a small mosque built for Shahjahan by Aurangzeb.
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