New Delhi 1 - Red Fort On the way to Red Fort

New Delhi 2 - Red Fort Rather stereotypical but one cannot escape from enjoying the street performers. After I have taken the picture, he demanded for some which I duly obliged.

New Delhi 3 - Red Fort Mughal Emperor Shahjahan started construction of the massive fort in 1638 and work was completed in 1648. The Red Fort was originally referred to as "Qila-i-Mubarak" (the blessed fort), because it was the residence of the royal family. The layout of the Red Fort was organised to retain and integrate this site with the Salimgarh Fort. The fortress palace is an important focal point of the medieval city of Shahjahanabad. The planning and aesthetics of the Red Fort represent the zenith of Mughal creativity which prevailed during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. This Fort has had many developments added on after its construction by Emperor Shahjahan. The significant phases of development were under Aurangzeb and later Mughal rulers. Important physical changes were carried out in the overall settings of the site after the First War of Independence during British Rule in 1857. After Independence, the site experienced a few changes in terms of addition/alteration to the structures. During the British period the Fort was mainly used as a cantonment and even after Independence, a significant part of the Fort remained under the control of the Indian Army until the year 2003.

New Delhi 4 - Bazaar by the Red Fort Delhi is a colourful city and the street vendors certainly made it so.

New Delhi 5 - Red Fort Red Fort showcases the very high level of art form and ornamental work. The art work in the Fort is a synthesis of Persian, European and Indian art which resulted in the development of unique Shahjahani style which is very rich in form, expression and colour. Red Fort, Delhi is one of the important building complexes of India which encapsulates a long period of Indian history and its arts. Its significance has transcended time and space. It is relevant as a symbol of architectural brilliance and power. Even before its notification as a monument of national importance in the year 1913, efforts were made to preserve and conserve the Red Fort, for posterity.

New Delhi 6 - Red Fort

New Delhi 7 - Red Fort The Lahore Gate is the main entrance; it leads to a long covered bazar street, the Chatta Chowk, whose walls are lined with stalls for shops. The Chatta Chowk leads to a large open space where it crosses the large north-south street that was originally the division between the fort's military functions, to its west, and the palaces, to its east. The southern end of this street is the Delhi Gate.

New Delhi 8 - Red Fort

New Delhi 9 - Red Fort

New Delhi 10 - Red Fort

Train to Agra Security was tight, even back then. We caught the train from Delhi to Agra. It took us more than an hour from what I remembered.

Agra 1 - Entrance to the Taj Mahal

Agra 2 - First Glimpse The first time you looked at it was like the first look at the loved one. Everything looked right. You know you're in love!

Agra 3 - And the Full View Majestic!

Agra 9 - Still at the Taj Mahal The four corner of the Taj are marked by these minarets.

Agra 6 - Inside the Taj Mahal The whole complex is all marble, and reflected the glaring sunlight straight at your face. However, the marble stayed cool under the sun. We were lucky because there were hardly any crowd in the area at the time we visited.

Agra 10 - Wall of Taj Mahal More intricate carvings on the wall.

Agra 7 - Close up of the Taj Mahal Marble Wall The wall has intricate carvings on them.

Agra 5 - More Taj Mahal While the white domed marble mausoleum is its most familiar component, the Taj Mahal is actually an integrated complex of structures. Building began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, and employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen. The construction of the Taj Mahal was entrusted to a board of architects under imperial supervision including Abd ul-Karim Ma'mur Khan, Makramat Khan, and Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer.

Agra 4 - The Taj Mahal We finally entered the compound at around midday. The entrance looked conspicuous enough, but the beauty of the place soon hits you when you are in.

Agra 8 The whole town depends on tourism for prosperity and there are plenty of shops selling souvenirs. This particular one has artisan demonstrating the traditional method of in preparing the carvings.