Fast Facts
Location : Old Delhi.
Also Known As : Lal Quila
Built By : Shah Jahan
Built In Between : 1638 A.D to 1648 A.D
Red Fort – Overview
As you reach old walled city of Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi), the imposing Red
Fort on the east will fascinate you with its grandeur. Red Fort or Lal Quila
is a historic fort where the national flag of independent India was hoisted
on 15th August 1947. Originally, this fort was built by fifth Mughal emperor
Shah Jahan, but later British captured the fort and finally 300 years later,
this historical fort came under the control of a democratic Government after
India’s independence.
Built in red sandstone, the Red Fort extends over two kms and varies in
height from 18 mts on the Yamuna river side to 33 mts on the city side.
Initially, there were 14 gates to the fort, but now there are two main
entrances namely - Delhi Gate to the south and Lahore Gate to the west.
Today, the Red Fort is typically an Indian tourist attraction, here you will
find guides leaping forth to offer their services as soon as you reach close
to the fort. But above all, if you leave the frantic streets of Old Delhi
for Red Fort, you will surely get a feel of calm.
Red Fort – History
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commenced the construction of Red Fort in 1638
and it was completed in 1648. Shah Jahan erected this fort with an aim to
shift his capital from Agra to his new city of Shahjahanabad in Delhi, but
his dream was never fulfilled as his son Aurangzeb deposed him and
imprisoned him in Agra Fort. Aurangzeb was the first and last great Mughal
emperor to rule from the Red Fort. In fact, the Red Fort provides a glimpse
of the very peak of Mughal power, when the emperors rode out on elephant
back into the streets of Old Delhi.
Tourist Attractions in Red Fort
Lahore Gate : Lahore Gate, the main gate to Red Fort
borrows its name from the fact that it faces towards Lahore, now in
Pakistan. You will enter inside the fort through 3 – tire Lahore gate
and immediately you will find yourself in Chhata Chowk of the ancient
Baghdadi type Meena Bazaar. It was a shopping centre for ladies of the court
and shops and establishments of the period still exist here. The women
sellers are no more the only one here, you will find men and women of
various community selling antiques.
On the entrance you will see semi-circular arch and marble stone tomb. In
the past, on the outset of the entrance there were galleries on both sides
having the sitting arrangements for the guests. As you move further from the
arcade of shops, you will reach the Naubat Khana, which was used to be a
gallery for court musicians. Today, the Naubat Khana is just an open
courtyard.
Diwan – I – Aam : Diwan – I – Aam or
the ‘Hall of Public Audiences’ was the hall where the emperor
would sit to hear complaints or disputes from his countrymen, except
Fridays. On every Wednesday, a court of the masses was held here. Initially
due to lime plaster walls, Diwan – I – Aam looked crystal white,
while the sand stone walls of the hall was supported by strong columns.
Diwan – I – Aam was elegantly decorated in Persian and Bengali
architectural styles. Behind the Hall, there was seat of the shadow of God
or throne of the Emperor. The emperor’s aclove in the wall was marble
panelled and set with precious stones – most of which were looted
following the Mutiny. Later, Lord Curzon restored this hall in 1898 –
1905. In front of the emperor’s seat was gold railings and in the back
was Florentine style of ornamentation of flowers, creppers, leaves etc and
also the images of brutes framed in 318 tablets.
Diwan – I – Khas : Behind the Mehtab Bagh is the
single storeyed marble building called Diwan – I – Khas or the ‘Hall
of Private Audiences’. Diwan – I – Khas was the luxurious
chamber where the emperor would hold private meetings. Till 1739, the
centrepiece of the Diwan – I – Khas was the magnificent 3 yards
long, 2.5 yards wide and 5 yards high Peacock Throne or Mayur Sinhasan. But
Nadir Shah became mad to get it and eventually he took it to Samarkhand in
1739. However, the throne was broken and did not remain in its real shape.
Diwan- I- Khas was unique in its sculpture and decoration, the columns were
studded with gems and lattice art work of the building was extra-ordinary.
The walls were crystal white marble and the ceilings were made of sliver.
In 1760, the Marathas removed the silver ceiling from the hall, today you
can only see a pale shadow of its former glory. On the bow like arch towards
north and south walls, you can see inscription in Persian language, “Agar
Firdous bar ru-e-zaman ast, Hamin ast a hamin ast a hamin ast”, which
means if there is a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this.
In 1857, British captured Delhi and made the Red Fort the barrack of
soldiers that led to the ultimate damage of everything of Diwan – I –
Khas, even Mughal Frescoes became faded and dirty.
Rang Mahal : Crossing the Diwan- I- Khas, you will come
across the Rang Mahal or the Begum Mahal. Initially this romantically
charming palace was decorated with fountain on the basement, but later it
was converted to lotus-shaped marble palace. Perfumed water was supplied
through the pipe lines and the ceilings were covered with gold and silver
which had been faded out over the years. Inside the Rang Mahal is the Mumtaz
Mahal which is equally attractive in its design. In 1857, during the mutiny
it became the guard room of the British and converted to an Archaeological
museum in 1912. The museum is open from 10.00 am to 17.00 pm, except
Fridays.
Khas
Mahal : To the north of Rang Mahal is Shahjahan’s Khas Mahal built
fully in marble. Toshkhana or Gorhal looks wonderful, while on the marble
fringe was astronomical line drawing and you might see the moon from the
north and sun from the south moving round the earth. To the east of Khas
Mahal, the Emperor used to come to deliver his assembly of his tenants from
the 3-storeyed octagonal Shahi Burj.
Royal Baths : Just next to the Diwan- i – Khas are
the royal baths or the hamams. Royal baths have three large rooms surmounted
by domes and have a fountain in the centre. One of the royal baths was set
up as a sauna.
Moti Masjid : Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosuqe is located close
to the Royal Baths. Built in 1659 by Aurangzeb, the richly decorated small
mosque appears unique in white and ash colour stripes. The exterior of the
mosque is very attractive while the interior is very simple and looks like a
replica of mosque in Mecca. Aurangzeb built this mosque for reciting five
times daily prayer for himself and his family members, particularly for
female members.
What’s So Special
Sound and Light Show : The evening programme Son-et-Lumière,
is now a modern attraction of Red Fort. The Sound and Light show recreates
events of India’s history particularly those linked with the Red Fort.
You may see a 330 years long history starting from Mughal era to the day of
independence. The Sound and Light Show is one hour long programme and it is
presented alternatively in Hindi and English. For watching the Sound and
Light show, you have to buy ticket from ITDC in L Block, Connaught Place.
Show Timings
English Version : February 1 to April 30 – 20.30 p.m
to 21.30 p.m.
May 1 to August 31 – 21.00 p.m. to 22.00 p.m.
September 1 to October 31 – 20.30 p.m to 21.30 p.m.
November1 to January 31 – 19.30 p.m to 20.30 p.m.
Hindi Version : February 1 to April 30 – 18.00 p.m to
19.00 p.m.
May 1 to August 31 – 19.30 p.m. to 20.30 p.m.
September 1 to October 31 – 19.00 p.m to 20.00 p.m.
November1 to January 31 – 18.00 p.m to 19.00 p.m.
* Show Timings may vary, please confirm the
timings from the Booking counter ITDC, Connaught Place.
How to Reach
By Air : Delhi’s international airport, Indra Gandhi
International airport is connected with major cities of the world. Palam
domestic airport has several flights from important cities and towns of
India. Regular shuttle services remain operational between Indra Gandhi
airport and Palam airport.
By Train : Delhi has three main railheads namely Delhi,
New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway station. These three railway
stations are served by several trains from various parts of the country.
By Bus : Good network of roads including National Highways
and State Highways link Delhi with rest of the country. DTC (Delhi Transport
Corporation) and many other State Transport Corporation buses ply to and
from national capital Delhi.
Local Transport : Buses, Taxis, Cars, Autos, etc. are
local mode of transport in Delhi. Take any of the modes to reach Red Fort.
Places Where You Can Stay
From five star deluxe to budget hotels, Delhi offers a wide array of
accommodation for tourist visiting Delhi. You may also stay at tourist
lodges available in the city at a reasonable price.
