RED FORT

Location : Old Delhi
Famous As : Lal Qila
Built By : Shah Jahan
Completed In : 1648

The largest of old Delhi's monuments is the Lal Qila, or the Red Fort, the thick red sandstone walls of which, bulging with turrets and bastions, have withstood the vagaries of time, and nature. The Lal Qila rises above a wide dry moat, in the northeast corner of the original city of Shahjahanabad. Its walls extend upto 2-kms, and vary in height from 18 mts on the river side to 33 mts on the city side.

Construction & Architectural Style
Mughal Emperor Shahjahan started the construction of the massive fort in 1638, and work was completed in 1648. The fort sports all the obvious trappings, befitting a vital centre of Mughal government: halls of public and private audience, domed and arched marble palaces, plush private apartments, a mosque, and elaborately designed gardens. Even today, the fort remains an impressive testimony to Mughal grandeur, despite being attacked by the Persian Emperor Nadir Shah in 1739, and by the British soldiers, during the War of Independence in 1857.

Prime Attraction Of Delhi

Diwan-i-Am The Fort also houses the Diwan-i-Am or “the Hall of Public Audiences”, where the Emperor would sit and hear complaints of the common folk. His alcove in the wall was marble-panelled, and was set with precious stones, many of which were looted, after the Mutiny of 1857.

Diwan-i-Khas The Diwan-i-Khas is “the Hall of Private Audiences”, where the Emperor held private meetings. This hall is made of marble, and its centre-piece used to be the “Peacock Throne”, which was carried away to Iran by Nadir Shah in 1739. Today, the Diwan-i-Khas is only a pale shadow of its original glory, yet the famous Persian couplet inscribed on its wall reminds us of its former magnificence: "If on earth be an eden on bliss, it is this, it is this, none but this."

Lahore Gate Entrance to the fort is through the imposing Lahore Gate, which as its name suggests faces Lahore, now in Pakistan. This gate has a special significance for India, since the first war of independence, and has been the venue of many an important speech, delivered by freedom fighters and national leaders of India.

Chatta Chowk The main entrance opens on to the Chatta Chowk, a covered street flanked with arched cells, that used to house Delhi's most skillful jewellers, carpet makers, weavers and goldsmiths. This arcade was also known as the Meena Bazaar, the shopping centre for the ladies of the court.

Naubat Khana Just beyond the Chhata Chowk, is the heart of the fort called Naubat Khana, or “the Drum House”. Musicians used to play for the emperor from the Naubat Khana, and the arrival of princes and royalty was heralded from here.

Other Attraction Of The Red Fort

The other attractions enclosed within this monument are the “Hammams” or “the Royal Baths”, the Shahi Burj, which used to be Shahjahan's private working area, and the Moti Masjid or “the Pearl Mosque”, built by Aurangzeb for his personal use. The Rang Mahal or the 'Palace of Colors' housed the Emperor's wives and mistresses. This palace was crowned with gilded turrets, delicately painted and decorated with an intricate mosaics of mirrors, and a ceiling overlaid with gold and silver, that was wonderfully reflected in a central pool in the marble floor.

Even today, the Lal Quila is an eloquent reminder of the glory of the Mughal era, and its magnificence simply leaves one awestruck. It is still a calm haven of peace, which helps one to break away, from the frantic pace of life outside the walls of the Fort, and transports the visitor to another realm of existence.

SOUND & LIGHT SHOW AT RED FORT

A "Son St Lumiere" is presented at the fort every evening, which recreates the magic of events related to the Indian history, particularly those connected with the Red Fort. The show starts after sunset and lasts for an hour.