Red Fort
Introduction
Situated
in Old Delhi, or Purani Dilli (As it is locally called), the Red Fort is one
of the most invincible structures of the country. The fort, built by emperor
Shah Jahan, establishes the supremacy of the Mughal Dynasty even today.
Despite being attacked by the Persian emperor Nadir Shah and by the British
troops during the Independence Struggle of India in 1857, the fort stands as
tall as ever. The fort complex houses a number of exquisite buildings
including palaces, courtyards, mosques and gardens.
History
The stunning design and the wonderful planning of the fort structures had
been envisaged by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan when he decided to replace
his earlier capital Agra with the new one at Shahjahanabad (the area
corresponding to the walled city of Old Delhi). The emperor was in fact in
search of a place on the banks of the Yamuna. A place that had a commanding
position and afforded the view of the whole city. And he rightly chose the
site where the Red Fort stands today. He began the construction back in 1639
and it was finished in 1648.
Architecture
The imposing structure of the Red Fort can make you reminisce the glorious
days of the Mughal era even at first sight. The scale on which the fort has
been built, the detailed works of art and the systematic architecture speak
of the Mughal architectural opulence. It is huge walls of red sandstone
after which the fort is named.
The Delhi Gate and the Lahori Gate are the two main entrances to the Red
Fort. If you are accessing the fort from the Chandni Chowk side, you will
have to pass through the Lahore Gate to enter the fort complex. Among all
the structure inside, the most famous ones include the Diwan-i-Am,
Diwan-i-Khas, Rang Mahal and the Moti Majid.
Diwan-i-Am or the 'Hall of Public Audience' was meant for the common
people. The king would listen to the issues and complaints of his subjects
here. Of much interest for tourists is the Diwan-i-Khas or the Hall of
Private Audience where used to be held the private meetings of the emperor.
The Rang Mahal or the Palace of Colours housed the beautiful queens and
mistresses of the emperor. A lotus-shaped fountain in the middle of this
palace enhances the charm all the more. The Shahi Burj, the Royal Baths and
the Pearl Mosque are the other attractions inside the fort.
Nearby Attractions
As
you come out of the grandiose structure of the Red Fort, head straight to
the Meena Bazar to soak up the medieval flavour. And then start on your
leisurely stroll through the narrow streets of the Chandni Chowk and keep
reminiscing the glory of the bygone eras. Remember to pick out some
interesting curios and souvenirs as you move around. There are numerous
other sights in the city for you to visit. The most famous include the
Humayun's Tomb, Hazarat Nizamuddin's Tomb, the Purana Quila, Qutub Minar and
the Jama Masjid.
Reaching There
Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airports has connecting flights to all
the major destinations of the world and the country. The airport has regular
domestic flights to places like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin,
Agra, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Goa, Jaipur, Jodhpur etc. There are three railway
stations in the city the New Delhi Railway Station, the Old Delhi
Railway Station and the Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station. The road routes
are also quite excellently established. You can avail of local buses, taxis
and auto-rickshaws to reach the Red Fort from anywhere within the city.