RED FORT, DELHI

Red Fort - Delhi, India

Delhi is one of the oldest  cities in the world. Its Red Fort has stood witness to the change of innumerable seasons, rise and fall of kings and has survived so many wars. If walls could talk, they would talk of a time when Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, built the fort as the stronghold of his new capital Shahjahanbad at Delhi. The fort completed its construction in the year 1648 and remained the residence of Mughal emperors until 1857. Post that it changed hands with British Raj before returning to the independent government of India. The name Red Fort is owed to the red-hued stones used to erect this magnificent structure. Today, Red Fort is an epitome of finest Mughal art and has inspired artists worldwide with its Islamic architectural style.

Facts and tips about Red Fort

The National Flag has been hoisted by the Prime Minister at the Lahori Gate on August 15 since 1947.

The second floor of the Naubat Khana now houses the Indian War Memorial Museum. The archaeological museum is situated in the Mumtaz Mahal.

The Red Fort hosts a Light and Sound show that chronicles the story from its inception during Shah Jahan's rule till the independence of India. It is an hour-long audiovisual show with speeches by Mahatma Gandhi, and Chandra Sekhar Azad and also the first speech by Jawaharlal Nehru as the Prime Minister of India. The show ends by playing the national anthem. A visit to the complex demands the show to be a must-watch for all tourists.

The Red Fort offers official guides for tourists. The complex has plaques that serve the required information but if you want you can hire guides.

With so many structures to visit in the complex, be prepared to walk and make sure to carry an umbrella, cap and water bottle to save yourself from the heat. Also, to avoid the crowd, try to reach the fort early

History of Red Fort

The Red Fort was built by Shah Jahan. The construction began on the holy Islamic month of Muharram which in the Gregorian calendar was May of 1638. Ustad Ahmad Lahori was the chief architect of the complex.

The fort was constructed for the Mughal Emperors when emperor Shah Jahan shifted the empire’s capital to Delhi. The emperor supervised the construction. It took 10 years to complete the fort.

In the mid-18th century, the silver ceiling of the Diwan-i-Khas was melted by the Marathas to strengthen their defence. The fort was pillaged by Nadir Shah in the mid-18th century. Most of the crown jewels including the Peacock Throne were taken during the invasion.

The fort was demolished up to 80% during the Imperial rule in India.

What is inside the Lal Qila?

Thankfully, some of the finest structures survived the British onslaught, among them the intricately decorated Mumtaz Mahal, where the chief consort and her entourage resided, and the Diwan-i-Khas, or ‘Hall of Public Audience’, where the Peacock Throne once stood. Beyond lie the remnants of the fort's most palatial royal apartments, bath, and the tower where the emperor would show himself to his subjects each morning.

The vestiges, although a much reduced since their heyday, still convey a sense of how magnificent the complex must have been at the height of Mughal power. A row of arcaded shops just inside the main gates, today known as Meena Bazaar, was originally installed so the women of the palace could shop for clothes and jewellery without leaving purdah. It looks largely as it would have in the Mughal era.

Light and Sound Show 

Red Fort is visited by many tourists for the significant historical relevance that it holds. But other than the red sandstone and the mighty building of the medieval times, there is another attraction that brings the tourists to the Blessed Fort - Light and Sound Show. 

The show, held every evening except Mondays, is a one hour fest of lights and sounds which takes place inside the premises of the Fort. There's no better way to learn about the history of the Fort. The shows are both in English and Hindi at different timings:

Hindi- 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM

English- 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM 

Tickets: Weekdays - INR 60 for adults and INR 20 for children

Weekends and Government Holidays - INR 80 for adults and INR 30 for children

Best Time To Visit Red Fort

The winter months of November to March are recommended the most when it comes to visit the Red Fort in Delhi. These months are cooler and you will be saved from Delhi’s heat during this time.

If you are looking for a pocket-friendly trip to Delhi, then you can visit in the months of April and May. But make sure to protect yourself from the heat waves in Delhi.

How To Reach Red Fort

You can easily reach Delhi. Being the national capital, it is very well connected with all the major cities. Indira Gandhi International Airport is the nearest airport located at a distance of around 20 km from the fort. From there, you can easily get a taxi or a cab. There’s also a hassle-free railway connection. There are various trains such as Shatabdi, Kalkaji, Jan-Shatabdi, etc. that run from different states to Delhi

The nearest metro station to Red Fort is Chandni Chowk Metro Station which on the yellow line. As you will get down of the metro, you can easily reach the fort as it is only 1.5 km from the station.