Red Fort New Delhi India Tour Info and Red Fort Delhi Pictures
It served as the capital of the Mughals until 1857, when Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was deported by the British Indian government. The British used it as a military camp until India was made independent in 1947. It is now a popular tourist site, as well as a powerful symbol of India's sovereignty. Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, started construction of the monumental fort in 1638 and work was completed in 1648.
The Red Fort was originally referred to as "Qila-i-Mubarak" (the blessed fort), because it was the residence of the royal family. The layout of the Red Fort was organized to hold and incorporate this site with the Salimgarh Fort. The fort palace was an important central point of the medieval city of Shahjahanabad. The planning and beauty of the Red Fort represents the zenith of Mughal creativity which prevailed during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. There were many developments added on after its construction by Emperor Shahjahan. The development stages were under Aurangzeb and later Mughal rulers.
The Red Fort's success was instant. It represented the peak of Mughal palace-fort building, and represented political and economical power. The Fort glory was passed; as the Mughal Empire declined. Later Emperors abused the fine buildings, raiders snatched its treasures, and marauders wrecked its buildings and finally the British, blind to its qualities, pulled down the greater part. Even this century, what remains has been largely ignored, unappreciated and uncared for. But, despite the ravages of time and human action, the extraordinary achievement of the Red Fort in plan and fine architecture is still visible today, although it is unjustly ignored. It is time to set the record straight, to look again at the surviving buildings and to bring the Fort alive through the personality of its creator, Shah Jahan, and his Court.
The Prime Minister of India raises the flag of India on the wall of the Lahore Gate of the fort complex every year on Independence Day. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
The fort lies along the Yamuna River, which fed the moats that surround most of the wall. The wall at its north-eastern corner is adjacent to an older fort, the Salimgarh Fort, a
Red Fort Pictures with India Flag
Defense built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546. The construction of the Red Fort began in 1638 and was completed by 1648.The Red Fort's success was instant. It represented the peak of Mughal palace-fort building, and represented political and economical power. The Fort glory was passed; as the Mughal Empire declined. Later Emperors abused the fine buildings, raiders snatched its treasures, and marauders wrecked its buildings and finally the British, blind to its qualities, pulled down the greater part. Even this century, what remains has been largely ignored, unappreciated and uncared for. But, despite the ravages of time and human action, the extraordinary achievement of the Red Fort in plan and fine architecture is still visible today, although it is unjustly ignored. It is time to set the record straight, to look again at the surviving buildings and to bring the Fort alive through the personality of its creator, Shah Jahan, and his Court.
The main entrance to the Lal Quila is through the Lahore Gate. Beyond the gate, there is a covered passageway, lay by arcaded apartments leading to the palaces, known as Chhatta Chowk. These apartments are now used as shops. Besides these, there are three more gates on other sides, which are kept closed now. The master builders of the Red Fort were Hamid and Ahmad. Visitors are allowed only in a part of Red Fort, as the army occupies the rest of it. Some of the main buildings within the fort are:
Diwan-i-Am
Diwan-i-Am or Hall of Public Audience is situated in the Red Fort of Delhi. It originally had a courtyard on its front and was richly ornamented with gilded stuccowork. Heavy curtains graced the main hall, which were three bays in depth.
Hamam
Accompanying the Diwan-i-Khas, or Hall of Selective Audience, the Hamam (bathroom set) consists of three apartments interconnected by corridors. The marble floors and dados are inlaid with beautiful floral patterns of multi-colored stones.
Moti Masjid
The personal mosque of Aurungzeb, Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque lies to the west of Hamam. Situated on a higher level than courtyards, the prayer-hall of the mosque has inlaid black-marble outlines of 'musallas' (small carpets for prayers) and is surmounted by three bulbous domes.
Mumtaz Mahal
One of the original six main-palaces situated along the river front, Mumtaz Mahal was also known as 'Chhoti Baithak'. A beautiful water channel called 'Nahr-i-Bihisht' (meaning Stream of Paradise) flew through these palaces. However, this palace has been
