Agra Fort
Hammam-i-Shahi
The
right of Diwan-I-Khaas is the Mammam-I-shahi or the Shah Burj. Foreign travelers
who visited Agra during the reigns of Jahangir and Shah Jahan have described
these apartments as the Ghasal Khana (bathroom). It was not the Turkish bathroom
as is generally but erroneously supposed. It was really an "air-conditioned"apartment,
attached to the residential quarters and was used as a summer retreat. Business
of very confidential nature was conducted here.
Macchhi Bhawan
Opposite to the Diwan-I-Khaas is the Macchhi Bhawan, the Fish Enclosure. The
emperor sat on the white marble platform facing this enclosure. It once contained
pools and marble fountains which were carried off by Jat Raja Surajmal to his
palace at Deeg. Around the Macchhi Bawan were the imperial offices.
Diwan-i-Am
In front of the Macchhi Bhawan is Diwan-I-Am. One can approach it by going down
an internal staircase. The clever positioning of the pillars gives the visitor,
arriving through the gates in the right and left hand walls of the courtyard,
an uninterrupted view of the throne. On the back wall of the pavilion are jali
screens to enable the women of the court to watch without being seen. The throne
alcove is of richly decorated white marble. It used to house the peacock Throne.
When Shah Jahan moved his capital to Delhi, it was taken to the Red Fort.
Nagina Masjid
From
the corner opposite the Diwan-i-khaas two doorways lead to a view over the small
courtyards of the zenana. Further round in the next corner is the Nagina Masjid.
Shoes must be removed at the doorway. Built by Shah Jahan, this was the private
mosque of the ladies of the court. Beneath it was Mina Bazaar for the ladies
to make purchases from the marble balcony above.
Moti Masjid
Just above the Sheesh Mahal apartments is situated the Mina Masjid (Pearl Mosque),
the most prettiest structure at Agra Fort. The building is presently closed
for visitors.
Mina Masjid
Just above the Sheesh Mahal apartments is situated the Mina Masjid which seems
to have been constructed by Shah Jahan for strictly private use. The Mina Masjid
is enclosed on all sides by high walls. The marble mosque has three small arches
in its façade which are plain and unadorned. The most important feature
in this palace-mosque is the small chhajja above the arcade which is supported
on four exquisitely carved and molded, small brackets of white marble.
AGRA - THE CITY OF TAJ MAHAL
