The Red Fort in Delhi – built by Shah Jahan

Red Fort in Delhi

The Red fort (Lal Quila) is a historic fort which is located in old Delhi. It is one of the most visited tourist places in India and it is now an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007.  Red Fort was built by the mughal emperor Shah Jahan.

The Red Fort (Lal Quila) of Delhi which is also known as Lal Qila is one of the most famous historical forts in India, built by Shah Jahan. Mughal Emperors ruled on Red Fort for more than 200 years. The fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built this legendary building called Red Fort. He ordered to construct the Red Fort in the year 1639. Generally one can get a lot of information on Red Fort, the reason being this is one of the most significant forts in India since the era of Mughals.

The timings of Red Fort to visit for the tourists is usually from 9 in the morning till 5 in the evening.

Quick Detail

• Location:  Netaji Subhash Marg, Lal Quila, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi
• Timings: 9.00 am to 5.30 pm
• Closed: Open all days
• Best time to visit: October to March
• Entry fee:  Rs.35 for Indians | Rs. 500 for Foreigners
• Is Photography allowed: Yes
• Is Guide available: Yes

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Mughal who built Red Fort in Delhi

It is said that the Red Fort was built by Shah Jahan during the time when he planned to relocate his capital from Agra to Delhi.

Ustad Ahmad Lahori was the architect who designed the Red Fort originally in red and white colors. He also designed Taj Mahal. The construction of the Red Fort took around 9 years to complete (May 1639 and April 1648).

India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted Indian tricolor flag on 15th August 1947 for the first time above the Lahori Gate. Thereafter,  the prime minister of India hoists flag every year on 15th August (Independence day) from the main gate of the Red Fort and delivers speech.

The Red Fort history

The Red Fort was built by Shah Jahan in Delhi in 1639 as the palace of his secured capital Shahjahanabad. This fort has got this name because of its massive enclosing walls. So the complete Red fort is made of red sandstone. The royal apartments of Red Fort has a chain of pavilions which are connected by water channel (also known as Nahr-i-Bihisht). Red Fort also represents the pinnacle of Mughal creativity by Shah Jahan.

Design of Red Fort

Though Shah Jahan designed and built the Red Fort as per the islamic prototype but each pavilion has the architectural fusion of Persian, Hindu and Timurid traditions. Many gardens and buildings in Delhi, Rajasthan, Kashmir and  Punjab are influenced by the design of Red Fort and its garden design. 

Though, British destroyed most of the Fort’s marble structures. Moreover, British used Red Fort to put the last Mughal Emperor on trial before exiling him to Yangon in the year 1858.

Red Fort was also nominated as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

The architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori designed the fort on the order of Shah Jahan. Red Fort is situated along the Yamuna River. The construction of the Red Fort began in the month of Muharram, on 13th May 1638 which completed on 6th April 1648. The boundary walls of the Red Fort are asymmetrical unlike other fort containing the old Salimgarh Fort. This palace was the point of convergence of Shahjahanabad (nowadays Old Delhi) in the early days.

Construction of the Red Fort

Shah Jahan gave an order to build Red Fort in the year 1638 because he had plans to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri was the architect of the Red Fort who also designed Taj Mahal. Red Fort took 10 years to complete. Later, Aurangzeb built the Pearl mosque to the Emperor’s private rooms who was also the successor of Shah Jahan. After Aurangzeb’s ruling the Fort degenerated gradually during the 18th century.

Deconstruction and reconstruction

After Shah Jahan’s murder, Farrukhsiyar was the next king to rule the fort. During this period he converted the silver ceiling of the fort to copper ceiling in order to raise money.  Subsequently, the Persian Emperor Nadir Shah defeated the Mughal army and stole the goods from the Red Fort in the year 1739. He left the city after three months and then returned to Persia after destroying it badly. In the year 1978, Marathas occupied and ruled the city for nearly two decades.  The British East India Company defeated the Marathas in the Second Anglo Maratha War in the year 1803. This war ended the Maratha rule of the city and the Red Fort.

Bahadur Shah II  was the last Mughal Emperor who occupied the Fort but he failed in rebelling in the year 1858. As a result, he returned to the Red Fort as the British prisoner and exiled to Rangoon which ended the Mughal reign. The British stole the valuables from the Fort’s Palaces, destroyed the systematic designs, gardens, servant’s quarters. Though, they didn’t damage the defensive walls of the fort. Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India who ruled from 1899 to 1905 and ordered for the reconstruction and repair of the walls of the Red Fort. He also restored the garden of the Fort with watering system.

Most of the artwork of the Red Fort were robbed and stolen during the takeover of Nadir Shah and Indian Rebellion of 1857 against the British which failed. Even these were sold to the British, Victoria and Albert museums and British libraries. Example of some of the items being sold to the Britishers are:

• Crown of Bahadur Shah II 
• Kohinoor 
• wine cup of Shah Jahan

Important events at the Red Fort

• The Red Fort Archaeological Museum was shifted to Mumtaz Mahal from the drum house during the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911.
• Many Red Fort Trials (also known as INA: Indian National Army Trials) held in Red Fort. The first one held in 1945.
• On 15th August 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of India, raised the Indian flag above the Lahore Gate.

Red Fort from inside

Lahori Gate

Lahori Gate faces the Lahore city and so it is called Lahori Gate which is now the part of Pakistan. This is the main gate from where the tourists enter the Red Fort. The gate is made of red sandstone and its roof is made of white stone. 

Delhi gate

Delhi gate is similar to the Lahori Gate which is the southern entrance for visitors. The main attraction of this gate is 2 huge stone elephants facing each other on both sides of the gate.

Chhatta Chowk

Chhatta Chowk is also known as Meena Bazaar which is adjacent to Lahori Gate. It marketplace was famous selling silk, jewelry and precious stones during the Mughal era. The older name of Chhatta Chowk was Bazaar-i-Musaqqaf (saqaf which means  roof). Chhatta Chowk was the covered market unlike many open markets during the Mughal period

Naubat Khana

Naubat Khana which is also known as Nakkar Khana is the drum house which is located at the east side of the court and is isolated. This is the palace which the musicians were using it to play musical instruments on special occasions. The palace was also used for making the important announcement if any special or royal person arrives at the court or to make the announcement of any law to be enforced.

It is also said that Jahandar Shah (1712–1173) and Farrukhsiyar (1713–1719) were killed in Naubat Khana.

 Indian War Memorial Museum is situated on the second floor of Naubat Khana.

Diwan-i-Am

This is the big hall which the Emperor was using it to listen to the public problems. The front of the hall has entrance from three sides. The hall ceiling is gold painted and the walls of the red fort have been plastered with lime plaster. Eastern wall has the marble canopy which is covered with Bengal roof.

Nahr-i-Bihisht

The royal apartment which consists of row of pavilions built on a raised platform on the eastern edge of the fort. Yamuna river is clearly visible over the top of it. The pavilions are connecting to the canal Nahr-i-Bihisht ( meaning “Stream of Paradise”) which run through the center of each pavillion.

Diwan-i-Khas

Diwan-i-Khas was the private hall which the Emperor was using it to meet his ministers and guests. It is made with white marble and precious stones. Initially there was silver ceiling but now the wooden ceiling has replaced the silver ceiling. Diwan-i-Khas also had a peacock throne earlier which Nadir Shah had stolen.

Mumtaz Mahal

Mumtaz Mahal is the palace of Shah Jahan’s second wife. It faces the Yamuna river. This palace is also made of white marble. British used this Palace as prison. But now the Indian government has converted it into the museum. It has stored in beautiful artifacts from the Mughal era.

Rang Mahal

Rang Mahal is also known as Imtiyaz Mahal. The Palace has some of the apartments which are also known as Shish Mahal. These apartments are made of tiny mirrors in the ceiling. That is why, it is known as Shish Mahal. British used this Palace as a mess. There is a basement in the palace for the women for spending time in summers.

Khas Mahal

This was the private hall of the Emperor used to sit and sleep. This Palace is made of marble painted with floral color. Every morning the Emperor had to address the audience from the east of this Palace.

Hira Mahal

Bahadur Shah II designed Hira Mahal. This is the simply designed Palace which was initially called Moti Mahal. Later British destroyed it in 1857 war. Originally Hira Mahal had a chhatri at the top which Britishers damaged. Aurangzeb had also built a marble pavilion in front of it.

Zafar Mahal

Bahadur Shah Zafar constructed Zafar Mahal in the year 1842. It is also made of red sandstone.

Hammam

This is the place which the Emperor was using it to take Royal bath. It is located to the South of the Diwan-i-Khas which is made of white marble. 

Moti Masjid

Moti Masjid is in the west of side of Hammam. It is a 3 domed mosque which has been sculpted into white marble. Aurangzeb built Moti Masjid meaning Pearl Mosque in the year 1659. This mosque is made of white marble. The Emperor was using it for prayer in the mosque.

Hayat Bakhsh Bagh

This is the largest garden in the Fort which British destroyed in the war of 1857. It is also known as Life Bestowing Garden. Hayat Bakhsh Bagh is located in the northeast region of the Red Fort complex. It has an enlarged pond which runs through the Nahr-i-Bihisht. The pond is now dried.

Earlier small gardens like Mehtab Bagh or Moonlight Garden were there in the west of Hayat Bakhsh Bagh which now have been destroyed by the Britishers. Government has plans to restore the gardens in future.

Baoli

Baoli also known as step-well is one of the monuments which is believed not to be destroyed by the Britishers after Indian Rebellion of 1857. The halls inside the Baoli were transformed into the prison.

Baoli was used as house for Indian National Army officers during Indian National Army Trials in 1945 to 1946. It was designed in such a way that it had 2 sets of staircases which were leading down towards the well.

How to reach the Red Fort

The best way to reach Red Fort is the metro route. Chandni Chowk metro station is the nearest one which is at 1.5 km distance. There are plenty of auto-rickshaw and peddle rickshaw available to commute from metro station to the Fort.

Parking at Red Fort

There is a big ground available near the Red Fort for parking. Though you can also park your vehicle along with the roadside 

Significance of the Red Fort of Delhi

• Every year on 15th of August, the prime minister of India hosts the national flag from the Red Fort and delivers the speech.
• A sound and light show is organized every day in the evening describing the Mughal history.
• The Tea House which is not in its historical state is still a working restaurant.
• Entrance of the Lahore Gate has the small mall of jewelry and craft stones.
• The Red Fort has the archaeological museum and Indian war memorial museum.
• It also has a museum of ‘blood paintings’ telling Indian martyrs and their stories.
• Red Fort image is now available on new 500 Indian notes on its back side.

Red Fort tickets

Tickets can be booked for the Red Fort visit from the following links

Nearby attractions

Khas Mahal:  Distance: 1.8km

Jama Masjid:  Distance: 1.6km

Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib ji: Distance: 1.7km.

Mumtaz Mahal:  Distance: 1.7km

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