Running around the Red Fort

Another place that's worth spending some time in is the Red Fort in Agra, which like the Taj Mahal is on the Yamuna river.  The fort dates back to the 15th century (during which it was the capital of the Delhi Sultanates), but it's present form dates back to the late 16th/early 17th centuries.

The grounds and structures are large enough that it doesn't - unlike the Taj Mahal - get quite so packed with visitors.  Some areas of the structures are cordoned off and inaccessible now - of course these areas unfortunately have the best views of the Taj down the river (from past visits).

These pics are mostly of the forts' architecture....  Like other sites, this was designed to have a lot of running water features, but for a variety of reasons these spots are dry.  It would be amazing to see these places with water running through them as originally envisioned.

Editing these pics took a bit longer than expected, so I may do two more posts to cover the Taj Mahal and other spots around Agra.

As usual, please click on a pic to embiggen.

Main entrance gate:

Part of the zenana, the Harem area.  This must have just been stunning with marble pools, fountains, and water running though the spaces

The buildings and grounds are always being maintained and renewed.
You can see damage of years - from attackers, visitors and pollution - being repaired.

A view through the haze and pollution to the Taj.