Emperor Shah Jahan built Delhi's most magnificent monument, the
Red Fort
and above is the
red fort picture
. In 1638 Shah
Jahan shifted the Mughal Empire's capital from Agra to Delhi. A new royal palace known as
Red Fort
or
Red Fort Delhi
(Lal Qila) was constructed. It was begun in 1639 and completed in 1648. The name
Red Fort
comes from the massive red sandstone walls that surround it.
The
Red Fort
has walls extending up to 2 kms. in
length with the height varying from 18 mts. on the river side
to 33 mts. on the city side. The
Red Fort Delhi
has two main entrances,
the Delhi Gate and the Lahori Gate. The latter faces Chandni
Chowk, the city's most crowded but diverse market. The Red Fort
also houses the Diwan-i-Aam or the Hall of Public Audiences,
where the Emperor would sit on a marbled paneled alcove,
studded with gems, and hear complaints of the common people.
The Diwan-i-Khas or the Hall of Private Audience, where
private audiences were granted. This hall is made of marble,
and its centre-piece used to be the Peacock Throne, which was
studded with rubies and gems. Today, although the Diwan-i-Khas
is only a pale shadow of its original glory, yet the verse of
Amir Khusro " If there is Paradise on the face of earth, it is
here, it is here, it is here" reminds us of its former glory.
The Rang Mahal or the 'Palace of Colours' as it is known,
holds a spectacular Lotus shaped fountain, made out of a
single piece of marble, and housed the Emperor's wives and
mistresses. The other attractions enclosed within this
monument are the hammams or the Royal Baths, the Shahi Burj,
which used to be Shahjahan's private working area, and the
Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque. Even today, the
Red Fort
(Lal Qila) is an eloquent reminder of the glory of the Mughal
Empire.
The Prime Minister of India addresses the
nation from this
Red Fort Delhi
on India's Independence Day.
Red Fort History
: Shah jahan when comes to delhi after ruling Agra laid the foundation stone of
Red Fort Delhi
in 1618 and finally it's inaugration was done in 1647.
