Red Fort - Delhi's Most Iconic Monument

 

INTRODUCTION:

We have heard the name of red fort many times in our daily life. Red Fort is Delhi’s most iconic monument but do we really know the history of the Red Fort?

If not, don’t worry we are here. There are some facts about it that will blow your mind and we will reveal them to you

HISTORY:

·        Shah Jahan, the Mughal Emperor decided to build the Red Fort.
·        It was built by the same architect who built the Taj Mahal, Ustad Ahmad Lahori.
·        It remained the residence of the Mughal Emperors until 1857
·        During the rule of Farrukhsiyar, the ninth Mughal Emperor, the silver ceiling of the fort was replaced with copper to raise money.
·        In 1739, a Persian Emperor named Nadir Shah defeated the Mughals & took valuable belongings of the fort with him including the famous Peacock Throne- Served as the Royal Throne of the Mughals.
·        Mughals signed a treaty with Marathas, the Marathas dug out the silver ceiling of Diwan-i-Khas to strengthen their army. But Marathas were defeated by Ahmed Shah Durrani in the third battle of Panipat in 1760.
·        The fort was reconquered by Marathas in 1771 & they ruled over Delhi for the next 20 years before the Britishers defeated them during the Second-Maratha war in 1803.
·        Now Britishers built their residence within the fort. When the Mughal Empire came to end, it became an opportunity for the British to loot valuables from the fort. Almost all the furniture was either destroyed or shipped to England. Koh-i-Noor diamond, the crown of Bahadur Shah & the wine cup of Shah Jahan were sent to the British Government.

 

CONSTRUCTION

·        Red Fort has an area of 254.67 acres(103.06 ha) and is enclosed by 2.41 km(1.50mi) of defensive walls.
·        The walls were punctuated by Turrets and bastions that vary in height from 18 meters (59 ft) on the riverside to 33 meters (108 ft) on the city side.
·        Construction of the red fort was started in the month of Muharram, on 13 May 1638, and completed on 6 April 1648.
·        Unlike the other Mughal forts, the boundary walls of Red Fort are asymmetrical to cover the old Salimgarh Fort.
·        The fortress-palace was in the middle of the city of Shahjahanabad, which is present-day Old Delhi.
·        Red fort is octagonal in shape, its north-south axis longer than the east-west axis.
·        The fort's artwork synthesizes Persian, European, and Indian art resulting in a unique Shahjahani style rich in form,  expression, and color.
·        Lahori and Delhi gates were used by the public and the Khizrabad gate was for emperors.

LAHORI GATE

·        Lahori Gate is the main entrance leading to a domed shopping area known as Chatta Chowk ( Covered Bazar) 
·        Shah Jahan's successor, Aurangzeb constructed barbicans in front of two main gates to make the entrance to the palace more defensives.
·        Moats were constructed along most of the walls and Moats were fed by the river Yamuna.

 

STRUCTURES WITHIN THE FORT

·        66% of the structures within the fort were either destroyed or badly damaged. But there are still some prominent ones:

KHAS MAHAL

·        Khas Mahal: It was used as the Emperor's private residence. It was decorated with White Marble. There was a tower, 'Muthanmman Burj', which was connected to it

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  MUMTAZ MAHAL

  
  

·        Mumtaz Mahal: It was situated in the women's quarters of the fort. During the British use, it was put to use as a Prison camp. Now, inside this beautiful building, Red Fort Archaeological Museum has been set up.

RANG MAHAL

·        Rang Mahal: It was built to provide a stay to Emperor's mistresses & wives. This Palace was made to look colorful. A Basement was used by the women to get rid of heat in the Summer.

HIRA MAHAL

·        Hira Mahal: It is probably one of the last structures built by a Mughal Emperor before the rule of the British. There was a diamond more precious than the Kohinoor which Shah Jahan had hidden in this place, the diamond was meant for his first wife.

MOTI MASJID

·        Moti Masjid: It was built by Aurangzeb for his personal use. It was made up of white marble & has three domes & three arches.

HAMMAM

·        Hammam: The interiors of Hammam were designed with white marble. This building was used for the bathing purpose by the Emperors. It is said that perfumed rose water was used for bathing purposes.

DIWAN-I-KHAS

·        Diwan-i-Khas: The famous Peacock throne stood here but it was later on looted by Nadar Shah in 1739. This hall was used for attending to private audiences & visitors.

DIWAN-I-AM

·        Diwan-i-Am: This is the place where the Emperor used to hear the grievances & complaints of the common people. This hall was decorated with ornaments & curtains.

 

 

  IMPORTANCE OF RED FORT IN NOWDAYS

·        Every year on India's Independence Day (15 August), the prime minister of India hosts the national flag at the red fort and delivered a nationally broadcast speech from its ramparts.
·        Red Fort appears on the back of Rs. 500 notes of the Mahatma Gandhi new series of the Indian rupee.
·        Red Fort was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 2007.
·        In April 2018, Dalmia Bharat Group adopted the Red Fort for maintenance, development, and operations on a contract worth Rs. 25 crores for a period of 5 years.
·        Now, Dalmia is engaged in development by restoring, landscaping, providing basic amenities, and arranging for battery-operated cars.
·        Dalmia has the right to charge the visitors and that revenue is used in the fort's maintenance and development. 

 

LOCATION

·        Red Fort is located right in the heart of the city,  Delhi.
·        LOCATION – Old Delhi
·        Nearest Metro Station – Lal Qila
·        Nearest Airport – Delhi Airport, Delhi

VISTING HOURS AND VISITING COST/TICKET

·        9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
·        Opens every day except Monday
·        Entry Fee.
·        For Indians – Rs.35 per person
·        For Foreign Tourists – Rs.250 per person
·        Charge for Camera – Rs.25.

For Light and Sound Show (On weekends)

Ø  For Children – Rs.30 per head

Ø  For Adults – Rs.80 per head

            For light and Sound Show (On Weekdays)

Ø  For Children – Rs.20 per head

Ø  For Adults – Rs.60 per head