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Walk Around Red Fort: The Biggest Monument of Old Delhi
Published by Devender Kundaliya, Writer
Country: India 
The Experience
A symbol of India’s power, the Red Fort locally known as Lal Qila, is the largest monument of Old Delhi. This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates from 17th century and was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. This fort complex lies near the bank of Yamuna and was constructed within the walled city of Old Delhi. Adjacent to its wall on the northeastern side lies the Salimgarh Fort dating from mid-16th century.
The Red Fort was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a palace and political center of his new capital Shahjahanabad that was founded as the seventh city in Delhi. The emperor shifted his capital to Shahjahanabad from Agra. The construction work for the fort started in 1638 and took almost 10 years to be completed in 1648. Being the home of the royal family, it was originally called ‘Qila-i-Mubarak’ meaning the blessed fort. It was an important center in the medieval Shahjahanabad city and a symbol of power and superb architectural skills.
Red Fort is a perfect example of the great skills of Indian art and architecture. The grand monument showcases the mixture of rich Persian and Indian art forms. The planning and layout of the fort describes the imagination and creativity of the Mughal Empire. The perimeter of the walls of this grand monument are around 2.41 km. The height of the walls varies from 33.5 meter to 18 meter at different sides. A number of additions were done to this fort during the rule of later Mughal kings.
Tourists enter the fort from the Lahori Gate. The path leads to Chatta Chowk, a long market street featuring numerous shops with jewelry and crafts items. The open space of Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audiences) is the place that was reserved for the emperor to meet his officials and general public and listen the complaints of the public. In earlier days, it featured gold-painted columns and a gold silver railing that separated the emperor’s throne from the general public. Presently, this marble-clad area features pillars with floral carvings. The precious stones of this hall were looted in 1857 after the mutiny.
Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque was constructed in 1659 by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. This three-domed mosque was the private mosque for the emperor. Presently, this mosque is closed for the general public. Diwan-i-Khas or the Hall of Special People was the section reserved for the private meetings of the emperor.
Towards the north of the Pearl Mosque lies the large Hayat Baksh Bagh or ‘Life-Bestowing Garden’. It features two water channels and some pavilions. One of the pavilions was constructed by the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar in 1842.
Every year on the occasion of Independence Day (15th August), the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag at Red Fort. The museum here has good collection of items depicting the history of Indian freedom movement. In the evening, a sound and light show is held here to describe the glorious history of the fort.
The Red Fort was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a palace and political center of his new capital Shahjahanabad that was founded as the seventh city in Delhi. The emperor shifted his capital to Shahjahanabad from Agra. The construction work for the fort started in 1638 and took almost 10 years to be completed in 1648. Being the home of the royal family, it was originally called ‘Qila-i-Mubarak’ meaning the blessed fort. It was an important center in the medieval Shahjahanabad city and a symbol of power and superb architectural skills.
Red Fort is a perfect example of the great skills of Indian art and architecture. The grand monument showcases the mixture of rich Persian and Indian art forms. The planning and layout of the fort describes the imagination and creativity of the Mughal Empire. The perimeter of the walls of this grand monument are around 2.41 km. The height of the walls varies from 33.5 meter to 18 meter at different sides. A number of additions were done to this fort during the rule of later Mughal kings.
Tourists enter the fort from the Lahori Gate. The path leads to Chatta Chowk, a long market street featuring numerous shops with jewelry and crafts items. The open space of Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audiences) is the place that was reserved for the emperor to meet his officials and general public and listen the complaints of the public. In earlier days, it featured gold-painted columns and a gold silver railing that separated the emperor’s throne from the general public. Presently, this marble-clad area features pillars with floral carvings. The precious stones of this hall were looted in 1857 after the mutiny.
Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque was constructed in 1659 by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. This three-domed mosque was the private mosque for the emperor. Presently, this mosque is closed for the general public. Diwan-i-Khas or the Hall of Special People was the section reserved for the private meetings of the emperor.
Towards the north of the Pearl Mosque lies the large Hayat Baksh Bagh or ‘Life-Bestowing Garden’. It features two water channels and some pavilions. One of the pavilions was constructed by the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar in 1842.
Every year on the occasion of Independence Day (15th August), the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag at Red Fort. The museum here has good collection of items depicting the history of Indian freedom movement. In the evening, a sound and light show is held here to describe the glorious history of the fort.
When to Go to Red Fort New Delhi
Odds n' Ends
Red Fort is located in Old Delhi area near Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk. The area remains heavily crowded with tourists almost every day of the week. After exploring Red Fort, you can visit the Chandni Chowk market nearby on a rickshaw or on foot. The Jain Temple and Sheeshganj Gurudwara are other interesting sites that are located very close to Red Fort and are worth exploring.
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