Places to visit in Delhi - Red Fort

Red Fort, which became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007, is located in the walled city (Old Delhi). The fort, originally known as “Qila – I – Mubarak” (Blessed Fort), was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan. Its construction began in 1638 and finished in 1648. The Red Sandstone building has classic Mughal Architecture. This largest and most visited monument of Old Delhi was built as the centre of Shahjahan’s later capital “Shahjahanabad”, which was the 7^th city to be built on Delhi site. At that time, the fort used to lie along the River Yamuna, which used to feed the moats all around the walls, and was adjacent to Salimgarh Fort at its North-Eastern corner.

Important structures inside the red fort are Diwan – I – Aam (Public Courtyard), Nahr – I – Behisht (Stream of Paradise), Zenana (Woman’s Quarters), which has Mumtaj Mahal (now a museum) and Rang Mahal, Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque), Hayat Baksh Bagh (Life-Bestowing Garden).

The status of the monument in Indian History can be gauged from the fact that the Prime Minister of India unveils flag and delivers speech to the nation every Independence Day (15^th August) from the top of the fort. To learn more about the historical significance of the fort, one must attend the Sound and Light show held every evening in the complex.