 Red Fort or the "Lal Quilla" is a spectacular, gigantic evidence of the Mughal architecture mastery. At one time in history it encompassed a whole city of royalty and grandeur. It is one of the realms of Delhi's life. The red fort is the cradle of Delhi's rich culture.
History
Red Fort was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648. Many places in the fort still bear the marks of attack from Persian Emperor Nadir Shah in 1739 and British soldiers in 1857. Nadir Shah carried away the legendary peacock throne to Iran from this fort. The British brutally plundered the fort and looted the gold and the precious stone that decorated its ornate beauty.
Coming back to more recent history. On 15th August 1947, at 00:00 am, the first Prime Minister of India Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru addressed his countrymen from the Red Fort.
More About Red Fort
Red Fort is located on the banks of River Yamuna and stretches more than 2km in length. Its walls are as high as 18mts on the riverside and 33mtson the city side. Delhi blends into the fort with the rustic Chandni Chowk Bazaar and the Jama Masjid. The entry itself is marked by stately Lahori Gate also known as Chatta Chowk. The Chatta Chowk patronizes the legendary 'Meena Bazaar', which was once a bustling market place of the royalty. Today, it is a market for antiques, miniature paintings, jewellery and beautifully woven carpets. Just Beyond the Chatta Chowk is Naubat Khana or the drum house. Musicians used to play for the emperor from the Naubat Khana. It reverberated with the Nagada sounds whenever princes of royalty arrived.
Red Fort was the center of Mughal governance in India. Diwan-I-Aam is the hall of Public Audience. Whereas, Diwan-I-Khas is the Hall of Private Audience. The Emperor and his noblemen held their private and strategic meetings over here. The center of this hall was once abode to the enigmatic Peacock Throne, studded with gold, rubies, diamonds and other gems.
The Rang Mahal or the 'Palace of Colors' was once the Harem for Emperor's wives and mistresses. It is well known for its extravagant Lotus shaped Fountain, made of single piece of marble. In its best times the palace boasted of excellent paintings, gold-bordered projections, mosaics of mirrors and the gold and silver ceiling. The Hammam Khana was the palace dedicated solely to the Royal Baths. The semi-octagonal Shahi Burj used to be Shah Jahan's private working area. Now Shahi Burj gives out excellent view of the bustling New Delhi meandering through the dying Yamuna. Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque, within the fort's inner complex was built by Aurangzeb for his personal use.
Even today, the Red Fort is a reminder of the glorious Mughal era. It is a haven of peace, away from the noisy and busy life outside its walls. Sound and light shows called 'son et lumiere' are conducted everyday by Delhi Tourism Department highlighting various phases of Indian history.
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