Who built the Agra Fort? Some interesting facts about the place from where the Mughals ruled India
The Agra Fort is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture. Now it is a world heritage site. During the Mughal era, they ruled India from this Agra Fort. It has been occupied by many dynasties including Rajputs, Mughals, Jats and Marathas etc. Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists still visit this World Heritage Site every day.
However, the history of the Agra Fort is still unknown to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). ASI even doesn't know who built the Agra Fort.
In an RTI reply in June 2023, ASI Agra Circle Public Relations Officer Mahesh Chandra Meena said that no information related to the history of the Agra Fort is currently available. Some of these data are found only in contemporary literature. In fact, the ASI, which works under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has all the information on the ancient heritage.
RTI request in May 2023
Dr Devashish Bhattacharya, a resident of Kalibari in MM Gate police station area of Agra, sought information regarding Agra Fort under RTI, that is -
"Give information about who built the Agra Fort first What changes did Akbar make in Agra Fort? Give information about the construction at that place before the construction of Agra Fort Tell the history of Badalgarh fort Throw light on the relation of Agra Fort with Maharaja Prithviraj Chauhan."
Not satisfied with the information
The reply of the RTI was, “"No Such Information is available regarding your queries in this office for such information the contemporary literature may be studied."
Dr. Devashish Bhattacharya was not satisfied on it. He said, “Agra Fort is a World Heritage Monument. This is a historical monument. ASI should have all the information about this.”
The fort existed in the 11th century
Senior historian Rajkishor Raj says that there was a fort in Agra in the 11th century. It was under the control of the Rajputs of the Sikarwar dynasty. That was a mud fort.
From 1089 to 1114, Khilji Sultan continuously invaded Agra and his army destroyed the fort. The foreign historian Khaura Mir writes in his book that Khilji Sultan controlled the fort from 1058 to 1059.
The fort was rebuilt in 1475 by Badal Singh. Hence the name Badalgarh. It was captured in 1487 by Sikandar Lodi. In July 1504, the Badalgarh Fort was damaged in an earthquake in Agra.
On top of this, Sikandar Lodi renovated the place again in Sikandar Lodi then made Agra his capital. After the death of Sikandar Lodi, his son Ibrahim Lodi succeeded him.
Akbar rebuilt it in red stone
According to senior historian Rajkishor Raje, "I have written the complete history of Agra fort in Tavarikh-E-Agra.
Then Badalgarh in Agra came under Babur. It was from Badalgarh that the Mughals obtained the Kohinur diamond. In 1530, the Mughal Emperor Humayun was crowned at the Badalgarh Fort in Agra. In 1539, Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun at the Battle of Chausa and captured the Badalgarh fort.
After the death of Sher Shah in 1545, the Suri dynasty retained control of the Badalgarh Fort until In the Second Battle of Panipat, Akbar's general Bairam Khan defeated Hemu They also captured the Badalgarh Fort. Akbar then made the Agra Fort his capital.
It was then that Akbar rebuilt the Badalgarh Fort using various red stones. which is seen in the present time.