Red Fort - Red Fort (Lal Quila)

Built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as the palace fortress of his capital Shahjahanabad, the Red Fort is famous for its massive enclosing walls. With an area of ​​92.6 hectares, the wall surrounding the fortress is up to 2,500m long, with an average height of 16-33m. The architecture of the fort reflects a seamless fusion of Islamic, Persian, Turkish and Indian styles. The main attractions are Diwan-i-kha, also known as Shah Mahal, Diwan-i-aam or the Imperial Palace, and Rang Mahal (part of the harem), also known as Imtiyaz Mahal. Other monuments here are the Naubat Khana (Drum House), where royal musicians play music and announce the arrival of members of the royal family, the hammam (Royal Bath), and the Muthamman Burj, or Musaman Burj (a tower where the emperor would present his subjects).

As the power of the Mughals waned, the fort was captured by the Persians, led by Nadir Shah, in 1739. The invaders took many of the fort's treasures, including the throne-shaped throne. luxurious peacock that Shah Jahan crafted from gold and precious stones (including the precious Kohinoor diamond).

Besides the monuments, another tourist attraction today is the Son et Lumiere, a light and sound show, held every evening. The enchanting hour-long show traces the history of the Mughal empire in India and provides a glimpse into their glorious past and the eventful stages that led to the empire's downfall. . The narration was recorded by legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan, making the show extremely engaging.

The entrance to the fort is through the Lahore Gate which leads to a shopping district called Chatta Chowk. A arcaded walkway was once the residence of tailors and royal merchants, and houses shops selling ethnic crafts and garments from different parts of the country. From Lahore Gate, it is easy to see that the wall protecting the Red Fort is made up of many large sandstone slabs, elaborately carved and carefully arranged to create a surface that is difficult to penetrate. The part of the wall is decorated with decorative spires in the shape of lotus petals, a style of decoration with Hindu influences in India.

Not many people know that the Red Fort also had a number of military barracks raised by the British. Made of red and white sandstone, the barracks is a beautiful specimen of colonial architecture dating from 1857, the barracks were built to house the British army after this army dethroned Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor. After the British rule ended, the barracks were used to house Indian servicemen, and it was only in 2003 that the Army removed them. Today, some of these barracks have been turned into museums and art galleries, with the support of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The fact that the Prime Minister of India hoists the National Flag from the ramparts of Lahore Gate every year on Independence Day makes the Red Fort one of the country's most important monuments. Its innovative planning and brilliant architecture have inspired several monuments in Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra.

The construction of the fortress was completed over a period of 10 years (1638 - 1948). The fortress is located on the river Yamuna, historians say that a moat covered with trees, called nahr-i-bihisht or river of paradise, flows around the fortress and its water is taken from Yamuna .

The splendor, sophistication, from the beauty of each architecture in the Red Fort is considered a symbol of power, prosperity, and timeless architectural artistic values. Although the architecture in the Red Fort is no longer intact, according to historical records, the decorations here are mainly made of gold, silver and precious stones.

Opening hours: 09:30 – 16:30 (Tuesday – Sunday)

Ticket price: 500 INR