Agra Fort, UP, India, Feb 2010

Agra Fort, UP, North India Jahangiri Mahal (Hindi: जहाँगीरी महल, Urdu: جہانگیری محل), is the most prominent building inside the Agra Fort of India. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar. The building is made of red sandstone. A splendid gateway leads to an interior courtyard surrounded by grand halls covered with profuse carvings on stone, heavily fashioned brackets, piers, and crossbeams. One can still spot remnants of decoration in gold and blue done in the prevalent Indo-Persian style.

Entrance to Jahangiri Mahal at Agra, India. Tourists enter via the Amar Singh Gate. The site is very important in terms of architectural history. Abul Fazal recorded that five hundred buildings in the beautiful designs of Bengal and Gujarat were built in the fort. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar.

Entrance to Jahangiri Mahal at Agra, India. Tourists enter via the Amar Singh Gate. The site is very important in terms of architectural history. Abul Fazal recorded that five hundred buildings in the beautiful designs of Bengal and Gujarat were built in the fort. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar.

Entrance to Jahangiri Mahal at Agra, India. Tourists enter via the Amar Singh Gate. The site is very important in terms of architectural history. Abul Fazal recorded that five hundred buildings in the beautiful designs of Bengal and Gujarat were built in the fort. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar.

Panoramic view of decorated columns at Agra Fort (Lal Qila). The Agra Fort is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Panoramic view of Jahangiri Mahal at Agra Fort, India. Jahangiri Mahal (Hindi: जहाँगीरी महल, Urdu: جہانگیری محل), is the most prominent building inside the Agra Fort of India. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar. The building is made of red sandstone. A splendid gateway leads to an interior courtyard surrounded by grand halls covered with profuse carvings on stone, heavily fashioned brackets, piers, and crossbeams. One can still spot remnants of decoration in gold and blue done in the prevalent Indo-Persian style.

Jahangiri Mahal at Agra Fort, India. Jahangiri Mahal (Hindi: जहाँगीरी महल, Urdu: جہانگیری محل), is the most prominent building inside the Agra Fort of India. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar. The building is made of red sandstone. A splendid gateway leads to an interior courtyard surrounded by grand halls covered with profuse carvings on stone, heavily fashioned brackets, piers, and crossbeams. One can still spot remnants of decoration in gold and blue done in the prevalent Indo-Persian style.

Jahangiri Mahal at Agra Fort, India. Jahangiri Mahal (Hindi: जहाँगीरी महल, Urdu: جہانگیری محل), is the most prominent building inside the Agra Fort of India. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar. The building is made of red sandstone. A splendid gateway leads to an interior courtyard surrounded by grand halls covered with profuse carvings on stone, heavily fashioned brackets, piers, and crossbeams. One can still spot remnants of decoration in gold and blue done in the prevalent Indo-Persian style.

Jahangiri Mahal at Agra Fort, India. Jahangiri Mahal (Hindi: जहाँगीरी महल, Urdu: جہانگیری محل), is the most prominent building inside the Agra Fort of India. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar. The building is made of red sandstone. A splendid gateway leads to an interior courtyard surrounded by grand halls covered with profuse carvings on stone, heavily fashioned brackets, piers, and crossbeams. One can still spot remnants of decoration in gold and blue done in the prevalent Indo-Persian style.

Jahangiri Mahal at Agra Fort, India. Jahangiri Mahal (Hindi: जहाँगीरी महल, Urdu: جہانگیری محل), is the most prominent building inside the Agra Fort of India. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar. The building is made of red sandstone. A splendid gateway leads to an interior courtyard surrounded by grand halls covered with profuse carvings on stone, heavily fashioned brackets, piers, and crossbeams. One can still spot remnants of decoration in gold and blue done in the prevalent Indo-Persian style.

Jahangiri Mahal (Hindi: जहाँगीरी महल, Urdu: جہانگیری محل), inside the Agra Fort of India. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar.

Jahangiri Mahal at Agra Fort, India. Jahangiri Mahal (Hindi: जहाँगीरी महल, Urdu: جہانگیری محل), is the most prominent building inside the Agra Fort of India. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar. The building is made of red sandstone. A splendid gateway leads to an interior courtyard surrounded by grand halls covered with profuse carvings on stone, heavily fashioned brackets, piers, and crossbeams. One can still spot remnants of decoration in gold and blue done in the prevalent Indo-Persian style.

Panoramic view of Jahangiri Mahal at Agra Fort, India. Jahangiri Mahal (Hindi: जहाँगीरी महल, Urdu: جہانگیری محل), is the most prominent building inside the Agra Fort of India. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar. The building is made of red sandstone. A splendid gateway leads to an interior courtyard surrounded by grand halls covered with profuse carvings on stone, heavily fashioned brackets, piers, and crossbeams. One can still spot remnants of decoration in gold and blue done in the prevalent Indo-Persian style.

Jahangiri Mahal (Hindi: जहाँगीरी महल, Urdu: جہانگیری محل), inside the Agra Fort of India. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar.

Jahangiri Mahal (Hindi: जहाँगीरी महल, Urdu: جہانگیری محل), inside the Agra Fort of India. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar.

Jahangiri Mahal (Hindi: जहाँगीरी महल, Urdu: جہانگیری محل), inside the Agra Fort of India. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar.

Jahangiri Mahal (Hindi: जहाँगीरी महल, Urdu: جہانگیری محل), inside the Agra Fort of India. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar.

Jahangiri Mahal (Hindi: जहाँगीरी महल, Urdu: جہانگیری محل), inside the Agra Fort of India. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar.

Jahangiri Mahal (Hindi: जहाँगीरी महल, Urdu: جہانگیری محل), inside the Agra Fort of India. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar.

Jahangiri Mahal (Hindi: जहाँगीरी महल, Urdu: جہانگیری محل), inside the Agra Fort of India. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar.

Visitors to Jahangiri Mahal (Hindi: जहाँगीरी महल, Urdu: جہانگیری محل), inside the Agra Fort of India. The Mahal was the principal zenana (palace for women belonging to the royal household), and was used mainly by the Rajput wives of Akbar.

Wooden doors and decorated columns at Agra Fort (Lal Qila). It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Wooden doors and decorated columns at Agra Fort (Lal Qila). It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Wooden doors and decorated columns at Agra Fort (Lal Qila). It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Decorated column at Agra Fort (Lal Qila). It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Decorated column at Agra Fort (Lal Qila). It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Decorated column at Agra Fort (Lal Qila). It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Decorated column at Agra Fort (Lal Qila). It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Decorated column at Agra Fort (Lal Qila). It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Decorated column at Agra Fort (Lal Qila). It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Decorated column at Agra Fort (Lal Qila). It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Decorated column at Agra Fort (Lal Qila). It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Panoramic view of decorated columns at Agra Fort (Lal Qila). The Agra Fort is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Decorated column at Agra Fort (Lal Qila). It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Panoramic view of decorated columns at Agra Fort (Lal Qila). The fort is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Decorated column at Agra Fort (Lal Qila). It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Agra Fort (Lal Qila) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Agra Fort (Lal Qila) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Agra Fort (Lal Qila) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Agra Fort (Lal Qila) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Agra Fort (Lal Qila) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Visitors to the Agra Fort (Lal Qila) which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Agra Fort (Lal Qila) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Agra Fort (Lal Qila) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city.

Agra Fort (Lal Qila) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. Taj Mahal as seen from Agra Fort. At the end of his life, Shah Jahan who built Taj Mahal was imprisoned by his son, Aurangzeb, in the fort. It is rumored that Shah Jahan died in Muasamman Burj, a tower with a marble balcony with an excellent view of the Taj Mahal.

Agra Fort (Lal Qila) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is about 2.5 km northwest of the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. Taj Mahal as seen from Agra Fort. At the end of his life, Shah Jahan who built Taj Mahal was imprisoned by his son, Aurangzeb, in the fort. It is rumored that Shah Jahan died in Muasamman Burj, a tower with a marble balcony with an excellent view of the Taj Mahal.