Consider the following statements regarding the Agra Fort: It is a 16t...
The Delhi High Court recently sought the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) response in a plea moved by two registered trusts against the ASI’s communication rejecting permission to organize a cultural programme at the Agra Fort celebrating the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
About Agra Fort:
- It is a large 16th-century fortress of red sandstone located on the Yamuna River in the historic city of Agra, west-central Uttar Pradesh.
- It is about 2.5 km northwest of its more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal.
- It was built under the commission of Emperor Akbar in 1565.
- It was only during the reign of Akbar’s grandson, Shah Jahan, that the site took on its current state.
- It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty till 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi.
- Features:
- The fort is crescent-shaped, with a long, nearly straight wall facing the Yamuna river on the east side.
- The fort houses a maze of buildings, including vast underground sections.
- The outer wall is surrounded by a wide and deep moat on three sides.
- The Agra Fort has four main gateways- the Khizri Gate, Amar Singh Gate, Delhi Gate and Ghazni Gate.
- The fort complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.
Hence only statement 1 is correct.
Consider the following statements regarding the Agra Fort: It is a 16t...
Statement 1: It is a 16th-century fortress of red sandstone located on the Yamuna River.
The statement is correct. The Agra Fort is indeed a 16th-century fortress constructed using red sandstone. It is situated on the banks of the Yamuna River in the city of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. The fort's construction began in 1565 during the reign of Emperor Akbar and was completed by his grandson Emperor Shah Jahan.
Statement 2: It was built under the commission of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
The statement is incorrect. The Agra Fort was not built under the commission of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It was primarily constructed by Emperor Akbar, the third Mughal emperor, as a military structure and later served as the main residence for several subsequent emperors of the Mughal dynasty. Shah Jahan, who is famously known for building the Taj Mahal, made some modifications and additions to the fort during his reign.
Therefore, the correct answer is option B - 2 only.
Summary:
- The Agra Fort is a 16th-century fortress made of red sandstone.
- It is located on the banks of the Yamuna River in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- The fort was primarily built by Emperor Akbar and not Emperor Shah Jahan.
- Shah Jahan, however, made some modifications and additions to the fort during his reign.
- Therefore, statement 1 is correct, and statement 2 is incorrect.