10-24-2010, 05:33 AM
Agra Red Fort myth
Standard works state that the Agra Red Fort, formally called Badalgarha Fort, seat of the Lodis and said to have been built by them, was demolished by Akbar and was rebuilt with red stones by him. I opposed this view, because no detailed proof in the court writings was ever provided.
The court works describing Agra during the Lodis and Mughals for instance nowhere mention the name of the east bank, nor that it was a city (neither that it had a fort, etc. perhaps indications in Baburnama, but archaeology proofs this) We know these facts from the Dutch works of Pelsaert. There was a city of Agra on the west bank perhaps called Badalgarha after its fort. And there was a city of Agra on the east bank called Chandra(garha), which obviously was also fortified.
Akbar seems to have demolished a fort, and to have rebuilt (or rather repaired?) a fort. But, what exactly does Abul Fazl state with referance to this?
By chance, I read the Akbarnama of Abul Fazl thoroughly, starting with vol. II (translation packhum site) to find out what is officially stated by Akbar's court writer concerning Humayun's tomb. And see what this work revealed about Agra Red Fort and Akbar's role:
1558
H.M. the ShÃÂhinshÃÂh gave celestial rank to the citadel, which was known by the name of BÃÂdalgarha, by his alighting there. Abodes were distributed to the grandees. Fortune took up her dwelling there, and auspiciousness laid her foundation in that rose-garden. In a short space of time this city became, by the blessing of the sublime advent, the rosy cheek of the seven climes. ââ¬Â¦
The river Jumna, which has few like it for the lightness and digestibility of its water, flows through it. On either side the servants of fortune's threshold erected pleasant homes and made charming gardens which come not within the mould of description. With all grandeur and glory it became once more the abode of the Caliphate, and the centre of the Sultanate. (Akbarnama II.19: Leaving Delhi behind and proceeding to Agra)
1560
H.M. arrived at Agra on the day of Farwardën 19 Dai, Divine month, corresponding to Monday 12 Rabë'-aïâÂ-ïâÂÃÂnë, 31st December. ââ¬Â¦ He took up his abode in the fort, which is the best building in the city. The foundations of delightful dwellings were laid. The house of BaiÃÂrÃÂm KhÃÂn was given to Mun'im KhÃÂn KhÃÂn-KhÃÂnÃÂn. All the other courtiers and servants commenced to build pleasant houses on both banks of the Jamna, and so the city became adorned. (Akbarnama II.32)
Comment: Badalgarha was the best building of the city! Thus, the ancient Rajput fort was still in an excellent condition, and not in a delapidated state. The almost meaningless statements that pleasant homes and gardens were laid, actually simply means that previous lofty garden mansions were again adorned (redecorated) with court men, now with Mughal ones after the Lodi noblesse.
So, there was no need to demolish this magnificent royal (Shikarwal?) fort, built according to the Vastushastra as a KArmuka Durga and which was certainly not built by the Lodis, as they nowhere claim this.
We also have the Adham Episode in 1562, in which he is throuwn from the Red Fort Palace terrace.
1565
Among the principal events of the year was the founding of the fort of Agra. ... AccordÃÂingly, he at this time gave directions for the building in Agraââ¬â which by position is the centre of Hindustan ââ¬â of a grand fortress such as might be worthy thereof, and correspond to the dignity of his dominions. An order was then issued that the old fort which was built on the east bank of the Jamna, and whose pillars had been shaken by the revolutions of time and the shocks of fortune, should be removed, and that an impregnable fort should be built of hewn stone. It was to be stable like the foundation of the dominion of the sublime family and permanent like the pillars of its fortunes. AccordÃÂingly, lofty-minded mathematicians and able architects laid the foundations of this great building in an hour which was supreme for establishing a fortress. The excavations were made through seven strata of earth. The breadth of the wall was three bÃÂdshÃÂhë* yards and its height sixty yards. It was provided with four gates whereby the doors of the dominion were opened towards the four quarters of the world. Every day 3 to 4,000 active builders and strong-armed labourers carried on the work. From the foundations to the battleÃÂments, the fortress was composed of hewn stone, each of which was polished like the world-revealing mirror, and was ruddy as the cheek of fortune. And they were so joined together that the end of a hair could not find place between them. This sublime fortress, the like of which had never been seen by a fabulous geometrician, was completed with its battlements, breastwork, and its loop-holes (sang-andÃÂz) in the space of eight years under the faithful superintendence of QÃÂsim KhÃÂn Mër Barr u Baḥr. (Akbarnama II.57)
Comment: Unless I am wrong with taking the east bank as the Chandra(garha) side, Abul Fazl clearly speaks of a new fort on the opposite bank of the Red Fort. Badalgarha is the fort in an excellent condition on the west bank. This is the Red Fort, and it is not built by Akbar. But, the old and decaying fort on the east bank, thus in Chandra(garha), was demolished and rebuilt. This ancient Rajput fort(ress) on the eastern bank was in my opinion the royal seat of the Lodis, as it had a direct commercial and strategic connection with the Purab, where most Lodi and Suri Pathans were secure. After defeating Vikramaditya Tomara of Gwalior, Ibrahim made this Raja his general and Kotwal in Agra, in my opinion, of the western bank fort: the Red Fort. Humayun, who met stiff opposition in Agra, met the family of the deceased Vikramaditya in Agra and got the Kohinur diamond in exchange or as a tribute for their lives and I believe for their possession too in Agra, their lofty mansion.
Conclusion
If I am right here, the story of the Red Fort Agra is again a clear-cut Mughal myth upheld by standard writers and their works. And for which there is no base in Abul Fazl's Akbarnama.
Hereafter, this fact was gradually changed in a new reading of Akbar demolishing the fort on the western bank and building the Red citadel. This was at least from Jahangir's time, who is known as one who tampered with facts in order to erase any negative attitude of his towards his father, and try to make himself a truthful son of a magnificent father.
Again, I have demonstrated that within both imperial cities of Delhi and Agra (but also other cities) with their suburbs, the claimed fortresses, palaces, mosques and other mansions, are not constructed by Muslims, but are confiscated, converted, repaired/redecorated and repeopled by them.
Standard works state that the Agra Red Fort, formally called Badalgarha Fort, seat of the Lodis and said to have been built by them, was demolished by Akbar and was rebuilt with red stones by him. I opposed this view, because no detailed proof in the court writings was ever provided.
The court works describing Agra during the Lodis and Mughals for instance nowhere mention the name of the east bank, nor that it was a city (neither that it had a fort, etc. perhaps indications in Baburnama, but archaeology proofs this) We know these facts from the Dutch works of Pelsaert. There was a city of Agra on the west bank perhaps called Badalgarha after its fort. And there was a city of Agra on the east bank called Chandra(garha), which obviously was also fortified.
Akbar seems to have demolished a fort, and to have rebuilt (or rather repaired?) a fort. But, what exactly does Abul Fazl state with referance to this?
By chance, I read the Akbarnama of Abul Fazl thoroughly, starting with vol. II (translation packhum site) to find out what is officially stated by Akbar's court writer concerning Humayun's tomb. And see what this work revealed about Agra Red Fort and Akbar's role:
1558
H.M. the ShÃÂhinshÃÂh gave celestial rank to the citadel, which was known by the name of BÃÂdalgarha, by his alighting there. Abodes were distributed to the grandees. Fortune took up her dwelling there, and auspiciousness laid her foundation in that rose-garden. In a short space of time this city became, by the blessing of the sublime advent, the rosy cheek of the seven climes. ââ¬Â¦
The river Jumna, which has few like it for the lightness and digestibility of its water, flows through it. On either side the servants of fortune's threshold erected pleasant homes and made charming gardens which come not within the mould of description. With all grandeur and glory it became once more the abode of the Caliphate, and the centre of the Sultanate. (Akbarnama II.19: Leaving Delhi behind and proceeding to Agra)
1560
H.M. arrived at Agra on the day of Farwardën 19 Dai, Divine month, corresponding to Monday 12 Rabë'-aïâÂ-ïâÂÃÂnë, 31st December. ââ¬Â¦ He took up his abode in the fort, which is the best building in the city. The foundations of delightful dwellings were laid. The house of BaiÃÂrÃÂm KhÃÂn was given to Mun'im KhÃÂn KhÃÂn-KhÃÂnÃÂn. All the other courtiers and servants commenced to build pleasant houses on both banks of the Jamna, and so the city became adorned. (Akbarnama II.32)
Comment: Badalgarha was the best building of the city! Thus, the ancient Rajput fort was still in an excellent condition, and not in a delapidated state. The almost meaningless statements that pleasant homes and gardens were laid, actually simply means that previous lofty garden mansions were again adorned (redecorated) with court men, now with Mughal ones after the Lodi noblesse.
So, there was no need to demolish this magnificent royal (Shikarwal?) fort, built according to the Vastushastra as a KArmuka Durga and which was certainly not built by the Lodis, as they nowhere claim this.
We also have the Adham Episode in 1562, in which he is throuwn from the Red Fort Palace terrace.
1565
Among the principal events of the year was the founding of the fort of Agra. ... AccordÃÂingly, he at this time gave directions for the building in Agraââ¬â which by position is the centre of Hindustan ââ¬â of a grand fortress such as might be worthy thereof, and correspond to the dignity of his dominions. An order was then issued that the old fort which was built on the east bank of the Jamna, and whose pillars had been shaken by the revolutions of time and the shocks of fortune, should be removed, and that an impregnable fort should be built of hewn stone. It was to be stable like the foundation of the dominion of the sublime family and permanent like the pillars of its fortunes. AccordÃÂingly, lofty-minded mathematicians and able architects laid the foundations of this great building in an hour which was supreme for establishing a fortress. The excavations were made through seven strata of earth. The breadth of the wall was three bÃÂdshÃÂhë* yards and its height sixty yards. It was provided with four gates whereby the doors of the dominion were opened towards the four quarters of the world. Every day 3 to 4,000 active builders and strong-armed labourers carried on the work. From the foundations to the battleÃÂments, the fortress was composed of hewn stone, each of which was polished like the world-revealing mirror, and was ruddy as the cheek of fortune. And they were so joined together that the end of a hair could not find place between them. This sublime fortress, the like of which had never been seen by a fabulous geometrician, was completed with its battlements, breastwork, and its loop-holes (sang-andÃÂz) in the space of eight years under the faithful superintendence of QÃÂsim KhÃÂn Mër Barr u Baḥr. (Akbarnama II.57)
Comment: Unless I am wrong with taking the east bank as the Chandra(garha) side, Abul Fazl clearly speaks of a new fort on the opposite bank of the Red Fort. Badalgarha is the fort in an excellent condition on the west bank. This is the Red Fort, and it is not built by Akbar. But, the old and decaying fort on the east bank, thus in Chandra(garha), was demolished and rebuilt. This ancient Rajput fort(ress) on the eastern bank was in my opinion the royal seat of the Lodis, as it had a direct commercial and strategic connection with the Purab, where most Lodi and Suri Pathans were secure. After defeating Vikramaditya Tomara of Gwalior, Ibrahim made this Raja his general and Kotwal in Agra, in my opinion, of the western bank fort: the Red Fort. Humayun, who met stiff opposition in Agra, met the family of the deceased Vikramaditya in Agra and got the Kohinur diamond in exchange or as a tribute for their lives and I believe for their possession too in Agra, their lofty mansion.
Conclusion
If I am right here, the story of the Red Fort Agra is again a clear-cut Mughal myth upheld by standard writers and their works. And for which there is no base in Abul Fazl's Akbarnama.
Hereafter, this fact was gradually changed in a new reading of Akbar demolishing the fort on the western bank and building the Red citadel. This was at least from Jahangir's time, who is known as one who tampered with facts in order to erase any negative attitude of his towards his father, and try to make himself a truthful son of a magnificent father.
Again, I have demonstrated that within both imperial cities of Delhi and Agra (but also other cities) with their suburbs, the claimed fortresses, palaces, mosques and other mansions, are not constructed by Muslims, but are confiscated, converted, repaired/redecorated and repeopled by them.