The red fort of Agra is the second most popular tourist sight in the city, just behind the Taj Mahal. The fort was built up over several generations of Mughal monarchs, starting with Akbar in the mid 16th century. Though it is much smaller than its sister fort in Delhi, the Lal Qila, I found it to be more impressive architecturally, in better condition, and less crowded. Less crowded, that is, once you run the gauntlets of touts at the entrance who try to sell you everthing from glasses of hot tea to shards of red Agra sandstone.