The Khas Mahal (also known as the Aramgah-I-Muqaddas) is a palace in the Agra Fort. The complex contained the apartments of the women of the harem.
Contents
History
It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan around 1631 and was the residence of the princesses Jahanara Begum and Roshanara Begum. It is believed that Jahanara lived in the northern palace of the two.
Architecture
The Khas Mahal comprises open terraces and a hall flanked by pavilions on both sides serving as partitions. It stands on an elevated platform paved with pristine marble. The palace includes elegant fountains, tanks, and a waterfall surrounded by chambers with courts and verandahs.
The interior of the palace contains beautifully adorned ceilings and alcoves in the walls around, with iron rings hung up high where lanterns once hung. The walls are decorated with intricate golden frescoes. In front of the Khas Mahal complex is the Anguri Bagh, a grape garden built in 1637. The charbagh (four part) Anguri Bagh served as a pleasure garden for the ladies of the harem to relax at. There used to be hammams at its northeast.
The Harem apartments and Anguri Bagh
The Anguri Bagh contains water channels and pathways dividing it into four sides, and In its centre used to be a marble paved fountain. The garden was known for having the choicest grapes and beautiful flowers throughout the year, hence the name. The tanks near the Jahangiri Mahal ensured that there was sufficient water supply for its water channels and ponds. Surrounding the garden are the harem apartments, which are directly adjacent to the garden.
The apartments are two storeyed, with open pillared verandahs on their exterior.