Red Fort Delhi

Place : Old Delhi in Delhi, on the bank of the river Yamuna, just opposite to the most famous market place of India - Chandni Chowk.

Popular As : Royal Palace of the Mughal Emperors. The Prime Minister of India addresses the nation from this Fort on India's Independence Day.

The Red Fort : Emperor Shah Jahan built Delhi's most magnificent and spectacular monument, the Red Fort. In 1638 Shah Jahan shifted the Mughal Empire's capital from Agra to Delhi and a new royal palace known as Red Fort (Lal Qila) was constructed. The construction began in 1639 and completed in 1648. The name is symbolic to its massive red sandstone walls that surround it.

The Architecture : The Red Fort has walls extending up to 2 kms. in length with the height varying from 18 mts. on the river side to 33 mtrs. on the city side. The fort has two main entrances, the Delhi Gate and the Lahori Gate. The latter faces Chandni Chowk, the city's most crowded but diverse market. The Fort also houses the Diwan-i-Aam or the Hall of Public Audiences, where the Emperor would sit on a marbled paneled alcove, studded with gems, and hear complaints of the common people. The Diwan-i-Khas or the Hall of Private Audience, where private audiences were granted. This hall is made of marble, and its centre-piece used to be the Peacock Throne, which was studded with rubies and gems. Today, although the Diwan-i-Khas is only a pale shadow of its original glory, yet the verse of Amir Khusro " If there is Paradise on the face of earth, it is here, it is here, it is here" reminds us of its former glory. The Rang Mahal or the 'Palace of Colours' as it is known, holds a spectacular Lotus shaped fountain, made out of a single piece of marble, and housed the Emperor's wives and mistresses. The other attractions enclosed within this monument are the hammams or the Royal Baths, the Shahi Burj, which used to be Shahjahan's private working area, and the Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque. Even today, the Red Fort (Lal Qila) is an eloquent reminder of the glory of the Mughal Empire.

Present Red Fort : Even today, the Lal Quila is an eloquent reminder of the glory of the Mughal era, and its magnificence simply leaves one awestruck. It is still a calm haven of peace, which helps one to break away, from noisy and busy life outside the walls of the Fort, and transports the visitor to another realm of existence. The sound and light show held here highlights the particular phases of history, something you should not miss.

The Prime Minister of India addresses the nation from this Fort on India's Independence Day every year.

Reaching Red Fort
Air : Delhi is well connected by air to all the major destinations of the world.
Rail : Delhi Ha two major railheads - New Delhi Railway Station and Old Delhi Railway Station, both of which are connected to rest of India by well laid railway tracks.
Road : Delhi has an excellent network of roads, hence one can easily reach Delhi from nearby places.