Red Fort

Lal Quila, Delhi 

The Red Fort is located in the very center of the city in Delhi. It is also known as Hindustani Red Fort because it uses red sandstone. Originally, it has been known since ancient times as Fort Fort, i.e. Fort-e-Mubarak. The Mughal rulers of India lived here almost 200 years ago until 1857. A large museum, Diwan-i-Aam (for public audiences) and Diwan-e-Khas (for the purpose of meetings). It was built in 1648 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan on the banks of Yamuna. It was built in the palace of Shahjahanabad (the capital of the 5th Mughal emperor of Shah Jahan).

It is near the old Salimgarh fort, which was built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546. Both are connected to the side of the water, which is called the stream of heaven (canal-e-bahar). It was built in a new architectural style which included a mixture of Timurid, Persian and Hindu traditions, which included Islamic replica. It was taken in 2007 under the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year on 15th August, the Prime Minister hoisted an Indian flag at its main door as the iconic icon of the country.

Architecture of Red Fort

The fort, which is spread over 255 acres, features a mix of architectural styles such as Islamic, Hindi, Timurid, and Persian. Its massive, 2.5-km-long enclosing walls are made of red sandstone and that’s where the monument got its name from. A few parts of the fort are also made of red stone while the remaining structure is built using marble. The structure, which is in the shape of an irregular octagon, incorporates elements of garden design and also features turrets, bastions, pavilions, two gates, and several other sections.

History of Red Fort

The construction of Red Fort began in the holy month of Muharram, on 13 May 1638. It took nine years to build, and under the supervision of Shahjahan, the Fort was completed on 6 April 1648. To contain the older Salimgarh Fort inside its boundaries, the walls were built asymmetrical, unlike any other Mughal buildings.

It remained the seat of Imperial Mughal Rule till 1857 when the Great Revolt took place. It consists of several other structures which were built during Shah Jahan's life, and some which were added by the later rulers. His son and successor Aurangzeb, added the Pearl Mosque or the Moti Masjid to the fort complex when he took over as the emperor after a fierce War of succession between him and his three brothers.

The Fort saw its degradation after the Aurungzeb rule was over. In 1712, another ruler Farrukhsiyar replaced silver ceiling with copper. In 1739, the Persian Emperor Nadir Shah invaded Delhi and looted the Red Fort, taking away with himself the precious Peacock throne. The Fort was captured, plundered and attacked several times between 1739 and 1857 by Ahmad Shah, Marathas, Sikhs and the British. To raise funds for the defense of armies from Ahmad Shah Durrani, Marathas sold the silver ceiling of Diwan-e-Khas in 1760. The Fort was the seat of Mughals for 200 years, but after the revolt of 1857, the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah II was exiled to Rangoon. He was the last Mughal resident of the Fort and the symbol of 1857 rebellion against the British in which Shahjahanbad residents participated. This marked the end of the Mughals.

The fort was then occupied by the British Colonial Rulers, who invaded a lot of precious artifacts such as the Kohinoor diamond, the Jade Wine Cup of Shah Jahan and the crown of Bahadur Shah II. They planned a systematic destruction of the Fort which included destroying of furniture, gardens, harem apartments and servant quarters. Except for the white marble buildings, almost all of the inner structure was destroyed. Later in 1899, when Lord Curzon became the Viceroy of India, he ordered reconstruction of the building and gardens were also restored.

After the British left India, the first Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru raised the National Flag from Lahori Gate and since then, every Independence and Republic day witnesses the Prime Minister unfurling the National Flag and giving his ceremonial speech at the Red Fort.

Things to See in the Red Fort Complex

The Red Fort is located next to the historical Salimgarh Fort. These two forts together form the Red Fort Complex with several attractions within it, including:

• Lahori Gate, the main entrance to the fort
• Delhi Gate, the public entrance at the southern end
• Chatta Chowk, a long passageway with a bazaar
• Mumtaz Mahal, a palace that houses Red Fort Archaeological Museum
• Rang Mahal, a palace where the emperor’s wives and mistresses were housed
• Khas Mahal, the apartment of the emperor
• Diwan-i-Aam, the public audience hall
• Diwan-i-Khas, the private audience hall
• Hira Mahal, a marble pavilion built by Bahadur Shah II
• Princes’ quarters, imperial quarter’s used by members of the royal Mughal family
• Tea House, one of the Prince’s quarters which is currently a working restaurant
• Naubat Khana, the drum house which now houses the Indian War Memorial Museum
• Nahr-i-Bihisht, a canal that runs through the pavilions
• Hammam, the imperial baths
• Baoli, a uniquely designed step-well
• Moti Masjid, which was the private mosque of Aurangzeb
• Hayat Baksh Bagh, a garden within the fort

Best Time To Visit Red Fort

The best time to visit this destination is during the months of August - March, when the weather is pleasant.

Tips For Visiting Red Fort

• The Red Fort is open every day except for Mondays from 09:30 am to 04:30 pm.
• Entry fee for Indians is Rs 10 and for foreign nationals it is Rs 250.
• Entry to the Red Fort is free on Fridays.

How To Reach Red Fort

The nearest Metro Station is Chandni Chowk on the Yellow Line. You can hire an autorickshaw or a taxi from the metro station. Also, you can reach Red Fort from any part of the city through the DTC buses that ply regularly on this route.