Travel: Agra Fort

The Red Fort in Agra, India
The story of this walled city began ages ago but it wasn't until the 16th century that most of the current structures were built. It's a true play of Game of Thrones for this place as a lot of wannabe-rulers captured the fort and then were defeated again. The most notable ruler is definitely Shah Jahan. You might never heard his name before but he's the one who built the Taj Mahal for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. She wasn't his first and only wife though, he had several wives from different religions to please the people. Inside the fort different palaces were built in the different architectural styles. I mainly loved the palace for his hindu wife. Shah Jahan preferred white marble over the typical red stone and is the one who ordered older buildings to be removed to built new white structures instead.

Shah Jahan is often said to be one of the greatest Mughals, his influence brought a golden age upon the Indian empire. But power doesn't rule out everything and when death struck his most beloved wife, he ordered a white marble Mausoleum to be built as a last token of his love for her. Unfortunately building such a masterpiece took a large piece out of the royal treasure chest and he was nearly bankrupt. When a serious illness struck him, the battle began between his sons. One of the younger sons killed his older brothers and then 'house'-grounded his father in the Red Fort in one of the chambers with a view on the Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan never got to complete his second masterpiece: a black marble copy of the Taj Mahal were he would be buried. When viewed from the Red Fort is was meant to come on the right side on the horizon. Game of Thrones between family members can sometimes create the weirdest twists. Hints to the ones who already watched the finale episode of season 4 last sunday. If you're interested in more India, definitely go here & be sure to keep an eye on the blog on saturday as I'll finally feature the Taj Mahal, the jewel of the Indian architecture at last.

Photo's by Maya Bogaert