Red
Fort is the largest and awesome of old Delhi's monuments. Situated in Old
Delhi, Red Fort is a thick red sandstone walled structure, bulging with
turrets and bastions, extended upto two kilometer, and vary in height from
18 meters on the river side to 33 meters on the city side.
The great fort on the banks of Jamuna, built by Shahjahan, has a
significant link between the past and the present, for it is from here that
the Prime Minister of India addresses the people on the Independence Day,
the August 15th.
The fort features all the obvious furnishings, of the Mughal government.
The Red Fort at Old Delhi houses - halls of public and private audience,
domed and arched marble palaces, plush private apartments, a mosque, and
elaborately designed gardens. Ever since its constitution it has remained as
an impressive testimony to Mughal grandeur.
The imposing Lahore Gate, facing Lahore in Pakistan, is the entrance to the
fort. Being used as the venue of many an important speech, delivered by
freedom fighters and national leaders of India, since the first war of
Independence, this gate has a special significance in the history of India
Independence.
Chatta Chowk is the main entrance of the Red Fort. Just beyond the Chhata
Chowk, is the heart of the fort called Naubat Khana, or the Drum House.
Musicians of the Mughal Empire used to play the drums for the emperor from
the Naubat Khana, to announce the arrival of princes and royalty to the
fort.
The Fort houses the Diwan-i-Am or the Hall of Public Audiences and
Diwan-i-Khas, the hall of private audiences. The countless attractions
enveloped within this monument are the Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque,
built by Aurangzeb for his personal use, the Hamams or the Royal Baths, the
Shahi Burj, used to be Shahjahan's private working place. Delicately painted
and decorated Rang Mahal or the 'Palace of Colors', was housed by the
Emperor's wives and mistresses.
The architectural magnificence of Red fort simply leaves one wondering.
Even today the Red Fort continues to remind the golden era of the Mughal
period.
Hoe to Reach There
Red Fort is accessible from all the part of Delhi by bus.
History
The construction of the Fort was started by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in
1638, and was completed in 1648.
Shopping and Eating Out
Thriving, congested and chaotic, Chandani Chowk lies very close to the Red
Fort. It is one of the largest trading centers in northern India. Each of
its by lanes leads into a world of spices, silver, perfumes or textiles and
lots more.
