Delhi is making its mark all over the world for its historical buildings and cultural heritage. There are many old forts here which tell the history of themselves and the country of India. Red Fort is one of these forts in India which is known all over the world for its beauty and architecture. Every year lakhs of tourists come from the country and abroad to see the Red Fort.
The rulers of the Mughal dynasty ruled for 200 years in the Red Fort. The Mughal rulers ruled in this fort till 1856. Apart from the residence of the Mughals, it was used for their formal and informal meetings.
The Red Fort is also considered a memento of India’s independence. On 15 August 1947, when India got freedom from British rule, the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal had hoisted the tiranga flag from the Red Fort. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007.
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Who built the Red Fort ?
The Red Fort was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1639 when he shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi. At that time Delhi was called Shahjahanabad.
Why is the Red Fort called the Red Fort?
The Red Fort is called the Red Fort because of its red sandstone. The huge wall of the fort is to be made of sandstones. The Red Fort was built by the fifth Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1638 as the palace of his capital, Shahjahanabad.
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History of Red Fort.
The Red Fort was built by Shahjahan in the 17th century when he shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi then it was called Shahjahanabad, today it is called Delhi. The construction of this fort started in 1638 and lasted till 1648 AD, its construction took about 10 years. Staying here, he built this magnificent fort near the Yamuna river in the center of Delhi. It is surrounded by the Yamuna river on three sides, whose amazing beauty and attractiveness are made on seeing.
The main architects of this fort were Ustad Ahmed and Ustad Hamid. Ustad Ahmed Lahori had also architected the Taj Mahal. After Shahjahan, Aurangzeb ruled this fort and during his reign itself, the brightness and concentration of this palace became blurry.
The Marathas defeated the 16th Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II and ruled Delhi for 20 years. Later he was defeated by the British and snatched all the valuable property which was kept inside the fort including the Kohinoor diamond.
The British plundered valuables like Bahadur Shah Zafar’s crown, Shah Jahan’s cup of wine, and much more and sent them to Great Britain. The Red Fort monument was once a magnificent structure, made of precious stones and metals.
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Modern significance of Red Fort.
After the independence of the country, the Red Fort was used as the headquarters of the Indian Army. Here the soldiers of the Indian Army were given training. Later it was allowed to become a tourist destination and it was used for sightseeing of tourists after this the responsibility was given to the Archaeological Department of India.
Interesting facts about Red Fort.
- When Shah Jahan shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi, he built the Red Fort. At that time Delhi was called Shahjahanabad.
- Ustad Ahmed Lahori, the cheif architect of the Red Fort. Ustad Ahmed was a very talented architect. He also did the architecture of the Taj Mahal, which today is counted among the seven wonders of the world.
- The Taj Mahal was built with red sandstone, hence it is called Red Fort.
- There are 2 main gates in the Red Fort, one is Lahori Gate and the other is Delhi Gate. Lahori Gate is for the general public and Delhi gate has it for the VIP and government employees.
- After independence, the tiranga flag was hoisted on the Red Fort for the first time on 16 August 1947. The first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jevarla Nehru hoisted the flag.
- Many precious diamonds and gems were embedded in the Red Fort. The world famous Kohinoor diamond was also attached to the Peacock Throne (Mayur Sinhasan) of the Red Fort which was later taken by the British with them to London.
- Let us tell you that in the year 2007 it was declared a World Heritage by UNESCO.
- The Red Fort is an Austrian structure built on 256 acres. A huge wall has been built around it for security.
- These walls have been built with red sandstone, hence this fort is called Red Fort.
- There are many beautiful buildings inside the Red Fort like Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Rangmahal, Moti Masjid, Peacock Throne. The Kohinoor diamond was a part of the Peacock Throne which the British took with them.
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Places to see in the Red Fort.
Chawri Bazar (Chawri Market)
This is a very big wholesale market of Delhi where attractive products of copper, brass, and paper products are found. Here paper cards and wishing cards, wedding cards, greeting cards, and cards of all occasions are available above wholesale rates. This area is always full of crowds. This is the largest market for paper products in Asia.
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Chatta Chowk
When you enter the Red Fort, there is Chatta Chowk / Meena Bazar at some distance from Lahori Gate. During the time of the Mughals, a market was held here in which precious silk clothes and jewelry were sold for the family and guests of the Mughals.
Nowadays, artificial gems and bags, and clothes are sold here.
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Lahori Gate
This is the main gate of the Red Fort, through which tourists go inside the fort. Being towards Lahore City, it was named Lahori Gate. It was very beautiful during the Mughal period. Because of its beauty, Shahjahan had described it as a veil of a beautiful woman.
After the independence of India, on 16 August 1947, the first Prime Minister of the country, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, was flagged here. Since then every year on 15th August, the Prime Minister of India hoists the flag here.
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Delhi Gate
It is on the south side of Lahori Gate. In construction, this gate is similar to Lahori Gate, there are 2 stone elephants in front of it. Its name is derived from the capital of the country, Delhi.
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Mumtaz Mahal
It was built by Shah Jahan in the name of his wife Mumtaz. This is a very beautiful composition in the works under the Red Fort. It is one of the compositions built in the Red Fort, which displays the architecture of the Mughal period.
This palace was constructed with white marble and has flower motifs on it. During the Mughal period, it was the place of residence of women, now a museum has been made here, where the items of the Mughal period are kept.
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Khas Mahal
The Khas Mahal was the personal residence of the Mughal king, where he used to rest. The walls of this palace were studded with precious gems and stones. There are three chambers inside this palace. Out of which a sitting room, sleeping room and another room.
Rang Mahal
The wives and concubines of the king used to live in the Rang Mahal. Earlier Rang Mahal was also named “Palace of Colours”. The canal was also built in the middle of this Rang Mahal, which kept the temperature of this palace extremely cool on summer days. At the same time, Rang Mahal was carved very beautifully, seeing its grandeur and beauty, everyone praised it.
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Heera Mahal
This palace was built by Bahadur Shah II. It is built on the south side of the Red Fort. It is said that Bahadur Shah II hide a diamond here which was more valuable than the Kohinoor diamond.
Moti Masjid
It was Aurangzeb’s private mosque that he built for his personal use. Moti Masjid means Pearl Mosque. This mosque has many domes and arches. This mosque was built with marble. Its architecture and design are very beautiful.
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Diwane-i-Aam
This monument is very beautiful and attractive like other monuments of the Red Fort sitting on this, the Mughal king used to watch the people, and the public used to see them and make their complaints.
It was made of white marble and had beautiful paintings and designs. This Minar took 9 years to make it. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631 and 1640.
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Hammam
This was the bathroom of the royal people where the emperor, his family, and relatives used to bathe. The building has a dressing room and hot water running through taps. In the Mughal period, rose water was used here. It was made with a beautiful flower design and white marble.
How to Reach ?
BY Metro: Lal Qila is the nearest metro station here.
Nearest railway stations to Red Fort
| Station | Train Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| (DLI)DELHI | 532 | 1.48 Kms |
| (TKJ)TILAK BRIDGE | 21 | 2.22 Kms |
| (DSB)Sadar Bazar | 0 | 2.25 Kms |
| (NDLS)NEW DELHI | 931 | 2.25 Kms |
| (CSB)SHIVAJI BRIDGE | 14 | 2.43 Kms |
| (PGMD)Pragati Maidan | 0 | 3.48 Kms |
| (DKZ)DELHI KISHANGNJ | 92 | 4.06 Kms |
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Light and Sound show:
The Light and Sound Show is a 1-hour program shown by Delhi Red Fort, in which the history of the Red Fort is shown through an act.
In this, information is given about the history of the Red Fort and the kings of the Mughal period, and the revolutionary and brave people who sacrificed in the independence of India, information is also given about them through acting
Entry Fee:
Red Fort ticket price for Indians is Rs 35 and for foreigners, it is Rs 500. The Red Fort entry ticket for the Light and Sound show is Rs 60 for adults and Rs 20 for children. The weekend ticket rate will cost you Rs 80 for adults and Rs 30 for kids.
Location Map (Direction):
Other Tourist Places in Delhi
If you have come to Delhi to see Red Fort, then definitely see Delhi in Places.
- Qutub Minar
- Akshardham Temple
- India Gate
- Humayun Tomb
- Rashtrapati Bhavan
- Garden of Five Senses
- Lotus Temple
- Jama Masjid
- National Museum
- Connaught Place shopping
- Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Ji
- Lodhi Garden
- Jantar Mantar
- Dilli haat INA
- Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir)
- National Gallery of Modern Art
- Safdarjung Tomb
- National Zoological Park
- Shri Kalka Ji Temple
- Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary
- Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum
- ISKCON Temple Delhi-Glory Of India & Vedic Cultural Centre, New Delhi
- Deer Park
- Shree Adya Katyayani Shaktipeeth Mandir
- Waste to Wonder Theme Park
- Shree Hanuman Temple
- Adham Khan’s Tomb
- Amar Jawan Jyoti
- Sultanpur National Park
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