Red Fort: All you want to know about Delhi’s iconic Lal Kila

[ecis2016.org] The famous Red Fort in Delhi is an architectural jewel built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan

The Red Fort in Delhi is not only an architectural marvel but also witness to some of the most crucial events in Indian history. The Delhi Red Fort is known by various other titles like Lal Qalʿah (लाल क़िला in Hindi also spelled Lal Kila or Lal Qila) and Qila-e-Mubarak (the blessed fort).

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Red Fort history

Built by the fifth Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1648, when he decided to move his capital from Agra to Delhi, the Lal Kila was the palace fort of Shahjahanabad – the king’s new capital also known as Old Delhi. The Red Fort of Delhi is in fact inspired by the Red Fort in Agra, which was built by his grandfather, Akbar the Great. Spread over 49.1815 hectares (256 acres), the Delhi Red Fort Complex also includes the adjacent older fort – the Salimgarh, built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546. This massive walled structure took nearly a decade to complete. Ustad Hamid and Ustad Ahmad of Shah Jahan’s court started the construction in 1638 and completed it in 1648.

Built on the banks of the Yamuna river, whose waters fed the moats surrounding the fort, the octagonal-shaped Lal Qila remained the Mughal Empire’s seat for around 200 years before the British took over.

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Lal Kila architecture

The Red Fort of Delhi represents the brilliance of Mughal architecture, mixed with various local building traditions such as Persian, Timurid and Hindu architecture. The Lal Kila has influenced the architecture of key monuments in Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, built after it.

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Within the fort’s grounds, which are surrounded by 75-ft-high red sandstone walls, are palaces, private chambers of the royal queens, entertainment halls, royal dining areas, projecting balconies, baths, indoor canals (including Nahr-i-Bihisht or stream of paradise), gardens and a mosque. The most prominent structures within the complex include Diwan-e-Aam and Diwan-e-Khas, a typical feature found across most Mughal-era buildings.

(Khas Mahal)

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(Hall of Private Audience or Diwan-e-Khas at the Lal Qila or Red Fort in Delhi)

The building has two main entry points – the Lahori Gate and the Delhi Gate. While the Lahori Gate is the main entrance to the fort, the Delhi Gate is the public entrance at the southern end of the building.

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(Rang Mahal)

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Red Fort: A world heritage site

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007, the Lal Qila, which has also been declared a monument of national importance under the Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1959, is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Lal Kila now has museums that display a large variety of historical artefacts. These include the Subhash Chandra Bose Museum, the Museum of 1857, Yaad-e-Jallian, Drishyakala and Azadi Ke Deewane.

(Moti Masjid)

Key facts about Red Fort of Delhi

Red Fort flag hoisting on Independence Day

The prime minister of India unfurls the national flag at the Red Fort every year, on independence day. This has been the tradition since India attained independence from the British on August 15, 1947.

Lal Kila original name

The original name of the building was Quila-e-Mubarak. The British gave the name Red Fort after its massive red sandstone walls while the locals translated that as Lal Quila for the same reason.

Red Fort original colour

Since Delhi did not have the ample supply of red sandstone, the Red Fort was originally made of limestone. Due to the depreciation over time, the structure was painted red by the British at a later stage.

Red Fort: Trial place of the last Mughal

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The British tried the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar at the Lal Kila over charges of treason, after which he was sent to Rangoon, now Myanmar.

Red Fort light and sound show

The Lal Kila hosts a 60-minute light and sound show that takes visitors through the history of the monument. You can book the show online or buy tickets from the booths at the fort. While the timing may vary depending on the season, the show is in Hindi between 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm and in English between 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm.

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Red Fort features on Rs 500 note

The Lal Kila is featured on the back of the new Rs 500 currency note.

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(Lahori Gate)

Red Fort FAQs

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