Red Fort or Lal Qila as it is popularly known is a masterpiece of architecture and one of the most haunting spots for tourists from both India and abroad. This colossal fort on the banks of the river Yamuna, built by Emperor Shah Jahan as the citadel of the 17th Century Dilli is a significant link between the past and the present, for it is from here that the prime minister of India addresses the people on every Indian Independence Day (August 15th).
Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan In 1638 shifted the Mughal Empire’s capital from Agra to Dilli. He started the construction of a new royal palace known as the Red Fort in 1638, and it was completed in 1648. The fort has – halls of public and private audience, domed and arched marble palaces, plush private apartments, a mosque and elaborately designed gardens. Even today, the fort continues to be impressive evidence to Mughal grandeur.
The red sandstone walls of the massive Red Fort (Lal Qila) rise 33-m above the clamor of Old Dilli as a reminder of the magnificent power and pomp of the Mughal emperors. The walls, built in 1638, were designed to keep out invaders, now they mainly keep out the noise and confusion of the city. The main gate, Lahore Gate, is one of the emotional and symbolic focal points of the modern Indian nation and attracts a major crowd on every Independence Day.
The Fort also houses the Diwan-i-Am or the Hall of Public Audiences where the Emperor would sit and hear complaints of the common folks. The Diwan-i-Khas is the hall of private audiences where the Emperor held private meetings. This hall is made of marble and its center-piece used to be the Peacock Throne, which was carried away to Iran by Nadir Shah in 1739.
The other attractions within this monument are the Royal Baths or Hammams, the Shahi Burj, which used to be Shah Jahan’s private working area and the Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque, built by Aurangzeb for his personal use. The Rang Mahal or the “Palace of Colors” housed the Emperor’s wives and mistresses. This palace was crowned with gilded turrets, delicately painted and decorated with an intricate mosaic of mirrors, and a ceiling overlaid with gold and silver that was reflected in a central pool in the marble floor.
Today, an evening sound and light show re-creates events in India’s history connected with the fort.
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