Sunday, April 2, 2023 - Taj Mahal and Agra Red Fort - Part 2

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April 2 – Mumbai, India – Part II 

After lunch and shopping we headed to the Red Fort, also in Agra. What we see today was built in 1565 to 1573. The term of walled city is probably more appropriate than “fort”. It is 94 acres. The rampart walls are 70’ high. Several of the buildings we walked through were built by Shah Jihan who also built the Taj Mahal. The basic construction was red brick faced with sandstone and marble. We were able to see (at a pretty brisk pace) about 20% of the fort. That is because the Indian Army continues to use the other 80% so it is restricted. 

Again, lots of crowds. But we were able to walk right in through the Singh Gate. Inside the gate was like an entrance courtyard with another gate at a 90 degree angle. Then up a long ramp and a turn to the right and a palace. Through one doorway and another and you’d be in a courtyard. Then through a gateway and there were more buildings, and more buildings, and huge courtyards. Just mind blowing. The intricacy of the carvings was amazing. Various colors of sandstone, white marble, embellishments galore. And from the windows on the east side, you could see the Taj Mahal.

Approaching the Fort

The ramparts and moat. Ramparts are at least 70' tall.

The first gate.

Inside the first gate, a second gate and courtyard.

The Palace

Entrance to the Palace

A courtyard inside the palace. Amazing carvings everywhere.

Fortifications along the outer wall.

From the courtyard.

Into a different area just adjacent to the Palace. 

On the right are bedrooms for 2 of the daughters.

View from the bedrooms.

And a new building. this one in marble. We did not have time to go inside this building.

Another fence carved out of sandstone.

Hall of Audience. Where the shah would conduct his court.

Amazing and beautiful.

 

 

 

Back to the vehicles and a short ride to a hotel where we were able to use the restrooms before we started our return journey. Our guide estimates we’ll be at the Delhi airport about 9:30 p.m.to catch our 10:35 p.m. flight back to Mumbai. Being Sunday night and everyone is returning to their homes from being out all day, the traffic is horrendous. But we did get to the airport and discovered our flight was a bit delayed. This is better for us and the delay lengthened. We didn’t leave Delhi until at least 11:00 p.m. Our transportation back to the ship was waiting for us. It was after 2:00 a.m. when we got back to the ship. 

We needed to unwind a bit and were in bed around 3:00 a.m. 

What an amazing day. And worth every minute and every inch of the 9 miles recorded on my Fitbit.