In his update from Agra to the Montreal Star on March 2, 1901, after sharing his impression of the Taj Mahal, “the exquisite beauty of this wonder”, he went on to say:

“Another interesting sight in Agra is Akbals fort, which has walls 70 feet in height and two miles in extent, made up of stone rubble, sand and loose earth, faced with red sandstone.”

This red sandstone fortress, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands proudly along the banks of the Yamuna River, a testament to its construction in 1565 under the patronage of Akbar, India's inaugural Mughal emperor. Today, it is more commonly identified as the renowned Agra Fort.

This architectural marvel bore witness to the reigns of significant Mughal rulers, including Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb. Following Akbar's era, Shah Jahan left his mark on the fort by introducing imperial quarters and mosques, effectively transforming it from its original military purpose into a palace. Aurangazeb, too, made substantial contributions, fortifying its ramparts.

The formidable double walls soar to heights exceeding 70 feet and encompass a sprawling circumference of 2.5 kilometers. Within the expansive 94-acre complex, an array of structures awaits exploration, boasting nine palaces and three mosques. The Agra Fort once housed the largest state treasury and mint, attracting foreign dignitaries and eminent international personalities. Additionally, concealed within its confines are buildings that form a city within a city, hidden underground realms, expansive geometric gardens, and a garrison. Even today, some of this historical stronghold remains under military jurisdiction inaccessible to the general public.

But, despite the areas off limits, there is much to explore. Join me, dear reader, and step inside and virtually immerse yourself into the storied past and architectural splendour of Agra Fort.