If Agra Fort is the sister monument to the Taj Mahal, it’s definitely the lesser-known sister. But as any overlooked sibling will tell you, that’s all the more reason to visit it.
Closer to a walled city than a fortress, it striking red sandstone walls hide a complex of mosques, underground vaults, and stunning palaces and gardens that were once home to the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty.
Built in 1565 as a military fortress, by India’s first Mughal emperor, Akbar, it was turned into a palace by his successor, Shah Jahan (who later had the Taj Mahal built in memory of his wife). For him, it also became a prison when his son gained power and trapped him inside it. Even when housing emperors, though, the fort never lost its military connotations and it was a site of a battle during the Indian Rebellion. The military continue to use it to this day, so part of it is off limits to the public.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the fort is one of the greatest and most important Mughal forts in India, and sits at the top of any list of Agra’s main attractions.
Make the most of the experience by using a map or a tour guide, to help you find your way around and show you the finer points of the interior. After all, Agra Fort was designed to outwit any enemies that breached its walls!