Read information about The Red Fort , Delhi
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The Red Fort, a UNESCO world heritage site, is a place where the Mughal emperor of India used to stay and the emperor stayed for about 200 years, until 1857. Red fort is located right in the heart of Delhi and this place is a house to a number of museums. Red fort was of great significance to the Mughal Empire and hence is a place of significance in the history of India. It was the political and ceremonial centre of Mughals.
The Red Fort, built in 1648, was built at that time as the fortified palace of Shahjahanabad, a glorious capital of the 5th Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The Red Fort is considered as architectural marvel of the Mughal era under Shah Jahan. The palace was built and planned according to Islamic prototypes, but also each pavilion contains the elements typical of Mughal buildings, Persian and Hindu traditions, reflecting a fusion of Timurid, . The Red Fort’s innovative and unique architecture influenced many buildings in Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Braj, Kashmir, Rohilkhand and many other places.
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photopin ccThe Red Fort is very significant iconic symbol of India. On the occasion of Independence Day each year, prime minister of the country hoists the national flag of India at the main gate of the Red fort and then from its ramparts he delivers a speech to address nation .
Red Fort is also known as Lal Quila(its hindi translation) locally.
The Red Fort is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India and it attracts several thousands of visitors often.
A sound and light show happens every evening to describe Mughal history and is a major tourist attraction of the fort. The fort is now several hundreds of years old and hence major architectural features of thee fort are in mixed condition now. Some buildings of the fort are still in fairly-good condition, with most of the decorative elements still undisturbed; in some, the marble inlaid flowers have been looted by looters. The tea house is now a working restaurant. The hamam and mosque are now closed to the general public.
The Lahore Gate entrance of the fort leads to a mall with craft and jewellery stores. There is also a museum of "blood paintings". This museum depicts young 20th-century martyrs of India and their stories of braveness. There is also an archaeological museum and also an Indian war-memorial museum. By looking at the architecture of the Red Fort, it is still one of the most well designeed and beautiful forts in the world.
Architecture and Major Structures of the fortThe Red Fort is built on an area of about 254.67 acres and it is enclosed by defeensive walls of lenghth 2.41 kilometres. These walls are punctuated by bastions and turrets and varying in height from 18-20 metres on the river yamuna side to 33-35 metres on the main city side. The marble, the floral decorations and double domes inside the fort exemplify the creative and innovative Mughal architecture.
The Red fort showcases a very high level of ornamentation, and it was reported that the Kohinoor diamond was a part of the furnishings. The fort's artwork synthesises European, Persian, Indian art, resulting in a very unique Shahjahani style rich in expression, form and colour. Red Fort encapsulates a long period of history of India and its arts.
When we talk about the entrance to the floor, The Dilli(Delhi) and Lahori Gates were to be used by the public, and the Khizrabad Gate was opened for the great emperor. The Lahore Gate is also the main entrance to the fort and it leads to a domed shopping area known as the Chatta Chowk (covered market)
Major structures of the fort are: Lahori gate, Dilli(Delhi Gate), Water Gate(Was on river bank but now river has changed course but the name remained), Chhatta Chowk, Naubat Khana(for the music), Diwan-i-Aam(Public Audience hall at that time), Nahr-i-Behisht, Mumtaz Mahal( was a women quarter and now an archaelogical museaum), Rang Mahal(was for emperor's mistresses and wives), Khas Mahal(for emperor), Diwan-i-khas(for private audience at that time). For Diwani-i-khas, poet Amir khusrow said: If heaven can be on the face of the earth,It is this, it is this, it is this.
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Each evening (except for Monday) a one hour sound and light show depicts the events from the history of India. This show is a major crowd puller.
Address: Netaji Subhash Marg
Hours: Tues - Sun, sunrise to sunset. Closed Mondays
Admission: Rs 250. Sound & Light Show: Rs 50
