Agra Fort

Agra Fort, is a monument, (Hindi: , Urdu:

) is a UNESCO World Heritage site

located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is about 2.5 km northwest of its more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled city. After First Battle of Panipat, in 1526 Mughals captured the fort and a vast treasure - which included a diamond that was later named as the Koh-i-Noor diamond - was seized. Babur stayed in the fort in the palace of Ibrahim. He built a baoli (step well) in it. Humayun was crowned here in 1530. Humayun was defeated in Bilgram in 1540. Sher Shah and his descendants held the fort for fifteen years. In 1555, Humanyun recaptured it for some time when the Hindu king 'Hem Chandra Vikramaditya' defeated his army and captured the fort. Akbar defeated the Hindu King Hemu finally at the Second Battle of Panipat in 1556.

History
It was originally a brick fort, held by the Hindu Sikarwar Rajputs. It was mentioned for the first time in 1080 AD when a Ghaznavide force captured it. Sikandar Lodi (14881517) was the first Sultan of Delhi who shifted to Agra and lived in the fort. He governed the country from here and Agra assumed the importance of the second capital. He died in the fort in 1517 and his son, Ibrahim Lodi, held it for nine years until he was defeated and killed at Panipat in 1526. Several palaces, wells and a mosque were built by him in the fort during his period. Realizing the importance of its central situation, Akbar made it his capital and arrived in Agra in 1558. His historian, Abdul Fazal, recorded that this was a brick fort known as 'Badalgarh' . It was in a ruined condition and Akbar had it rebuilt with red sandstone from Barauli area in Rajasthan. Architects laid the foundation and it was built with bricks in the inner core with sandstone on external surfaces. Some 1,444,000 builders worked on it for eight years, completing it in 1573.

Layout
The 94-acre (380,000 m2) fort has a semicircular plan, its chord lies parallel to the river and its walls are seventy feet high. Double ramparts have massive circular bastions at intervals, with battlements, embrasures, machicolations and string courses. Four gates were provided on its four sides, one Khizri gate opening on to the river. Two of the fort's gates are notable: the "Delhi Gate" and the "Lahore Gate." The Lahore Gate is also popularly also known as the Amar Singh Gate, for Amar Singh Rathore.

Trekking & Mountaineers

Trekking Trekking generally refers to hiking trips which go on for a large number of days. These hiking trips are done through rural and rugged territories. People who are trekkers involve in longer trips as compared to other people. Trekkers trek through all the regions in the world, going from one place to another by using trekking as a mode. Trekking also comprises of other outdoor sport activities which include backpacking & rock climbing. The main reason that makes trekking different from other modes of travel is that trekking is less structured and planned. Mountaineering Mountaineering is the profession, hobby or sport of hiking, walking, climbing and trekking the mountains. In Europe it is also known as alpinism. Earlier mountaineering was just an attempt to capture the highest point of the mountains which have not been climbed before. But now it has been categorized into different specializations which address several aspects of mountains. These specializations can be specified as snow craft, skiing and rock craft depending upon the route chosen whether it is snow, ice or rock. Mountaineering is not an easy sport and it requires great technical and athletic ability. Experience is also very important in this sport. Difference between Trekking & Mountaineering Trekking is less technical than mountaineering but it is equally enthralling. Trekking can be done on high elevation treks as well as on leisure plain land treks. No skill or knowledge is required for trekking. Anyone who is adventurous and is blessed with good health can look forward to trekking. On the other hand, mountaineering is quite a challenging sport to the mind and spirit of a person. Mountaineering can let a person kiss the sunlight touching the peak, feel the nature brush and walk the routes treaded only by a few.

Dos and Don't

Use local greeting Namaste with open upright hands together at your chin (it is also the respond) Before entering anyones house or temple take off your shoes. In some of the temples entrance may be prohibited for non-Hindus. Leather articles are prohibited to be taken inside the temple precinct. It is better not to touch offerings or persons when they are on way to shrines. Beef is strictly prohibited among both Hindus and Buddhists. No female animal is killed for food Walking around the temples or stupas is traditionally done clockwise. Generally temples and monuments are permitted to photograph but it is better to ask authorized person before taking photographs. It is better to be decently clan when visiting any place. Sun and beachwear is not proper when roaming around. Briefs, shorts, bare shoulders and backs may not be appreciated. One need not be stiff and overdressed but comfortably and decently covered. Do not be offered if a Nepalese lady hesitates to shake hand. In Nepal, people especially women, do not normally shakes hands when they greet one another, but instead press palms together in a prayer-like gesture known as Namaste.