Photos

Within a radius of 3 kilometers, on the banks of the river Yamuna rises the crescent-like Agra Fort. Designed and built by Akbar in 1565.A.D., the fort is surrounded by a 70-foot high wall. It houses the beautiful Pearl Mosque and numerous palaces including the Jahangiri Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Am and Moti Masjid.

Shah Jehan dismantled many buildings constructed by his predecessors to make room for his own marble pavilions. One of his earliest ventures was the construction of the Diwan-i-Am or Hall of Public Audience within the Agra Fort. This building was constructed between 1631-40. The Diwan-i-Am is situated very close to the Machchhi Bhawan. It is believed that from here Shah Jehan addressed the general public as well as the nobility.

I particularly prefered a black/white picture of Diwan-i-Am to highlight the architectural symmetry.