Red Fort or Lal Quila, is one of the largest heritage monuments in Delhi, India. The historical fort, once which had featured as primary military base and royal residence of the Mughals, is now a national heritage. Based on the popularity, the fort also counts among the famous forts in India. The 380 years old Delhi Lal Quila or Red Fort is rich with incredible history and facts of early modern era of India. UNSECO has therefore recognised the red sandstone built fort, with the status of World Heritage site in 2007.
Red fort, the name arrived from the mammoth red sandstone structures and enclosing walls. However, in Delhi, it is more famous as Lal Quila or Lal Kila in Hindi terminology. Delhi Red fort had very similar significance in Mughal era of history, to the Red fort of Agra.
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built Delhi Red fort in 1638. Ustad Amjad Lahori was the chief architect of the grand Red fort, who commissioned the fort on 6th April in 1638. Ustad Lahori, was also the chief architect of Shah Jahan built Taj Mahal.
Red Fort of Delhi is now a monument of national pride and glory. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, on 15 August 1947, hoisted Indian National Flag at the Lahori Gate of Red Fort for the first time. Since then, every year on 15 August, the honorable Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag at the same gate.
History and key facts Delhi Red Fort
Delhi Red Fort history is enriched by many legendary facts worth knowing.
Shah Jahan (1628-1658 CE), the 5th Mughal emperor, had ruled from Agra Fort initially. After a decade of his reign, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi. However, historians couldn’t find definite reasons why Shah Jahan did so. But majority of the historians find following facts extremely reasonable:
- Agra became overcrowded. Roads had become too narrow for royal processions and ceremonies.
- River Yamuna would be more navigable in Delhi compared to Agra.
- Delhi had considerably much better connectivity with other places of the kingdom, in comparison with Agra. From the administration standpoint, Delhi was a better choice.
Construction of Red Fort, Delhi
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan ascended the throne on 4th February 1628, at the age of 34 years. While on 12th May 1828 itself, the foundation of Delhi Red fort was laid by Shah Jahan. It means, the decision to shift Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi was almost immediate after he ascended the Mughal throne. However, the construction of Delhi Lal Quila began on 13 May 1628, on the holy month of Muharram. Construction went on for another decade, under supervision of the emperor himself. Finally Red Fort of Delhi was commissioned on 6 April 1638.
Ustad Ahmad Lahori was the main architect of Red Fort of Delhi. Lahori was also the key architect of great Taj Mahal as well. Emperor Shah Jahan liked the colours red and white. Therefore, red sandstone were majorly used in the construction of Delhi Red fort, while many important constructions have red and white combination inside the fort premise.
Emperor Shah Jahan renamed Old Delhi, his new capital, as ‘Shahjahanabad’. Lal Quila of Delhi is therefore, often called Qila-e-Shahjahanabad and sometimes, Qila-e-Mubarak.
Delhi Red Fort architecture
Ustad Lahori used Mughal architecture strongly influenced from his inherent Persian palace architecture. Glimpses of traditional Indian architectures are also visible in many areas of the fort’s construction.
The fort covers a very large area of 255 acres. Surrounding defensive wall is of 2.4 kilometers (or, 1.50 miles) long, enclosing several buildings inside. The fortress walls, 18 meters of height, were surrounded by deep, wide ditch. Nearby River Yamuna water once fed the ditch. Original walls were damaged during several attacks and invasions. Present walls of Red Fort are mostly British reconstructions.
The Red Fort had all arrangements inside the premise for the emperor’s safety, security, entertainments, prayers etc. Necessary accommodations for emperor’s personal security, servants were constructed accordingly. Diwan-i-aam, had an unique architecture, to house the public hearings. One the other side, secret Mughal court or, Diwan-i-khas, was exquisitely decorated to house the secret meetings.
The gardens and other major parts of the fort are strongly influenced by the forts and buildings of Rajasthan and Agra.
The fort of Delhi had three gates for entrance and exit. But two of them- the Lahori gate and the Delhi gate were for use of common people. Khizrabad gate, the third gate was meant for the royal family uses.
Major attractions of Red Fort of Delhi
Invasion of Nader Shah, occupancy of Marathas, and other plunders, has led the fort losing most of its precious decorations. Later in 1858, the British conducted the mass demolition, destroying many beautiful structures of Red Fort. But fortunately, the surviving structures of fort are good enough to attract millions of tourists.
Lahori Gate
The the main entrance of Delhi Red Fort, Lahori Gate, appears at the western side walls. Facing the city of Lahore, the former capital of Mughal empire, perhaps brought the name ‘Lahori’.
The largest gate of Red Fort of Delhi is a three storied structure, consisting of square, rectangular and cusped arched panels. However, the 10.5 meter high barbican of the gate is late addition by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
After the addition of the barbican, Shah Jahan wrote to Aurangzeb- “You have made the fort a bride, and set a veil on it.”
Fluttering National Flag of India at Lahori Gate itself is a remarkable sight and feeling for every Indian. On every Independence Day of India since 1947, the Prime Minister of India hoists the National Flag and delivers his speech at the Lahori gateway.
Delhi Gate
The southern entrance of the Red Fort had received the name from the city itself. Delhi Gate, the secondary entrance of Red Fort, was actually built for public use. Both gates have pretty identical decorations – with square, rectangular and cusped arched panels.
Delhi gate of Red Fort is also a three storied structure. Emperor Aurangzeb had added a barbican of 10.5 meters high to Delhi gate as well. Two life size stone elephants still exist between inner and outer gateway.
In September of 1858, the British imprisoned Bahadur Shah II, the last recognized Mughal emperor at Red Fort. Bahadur Shah II was kept to the right of Delhi Gate. However, on 8 October 1858, the last Mughal king exiled to Rangoon.
Diwan-i-aam
Diwan-i-aam, or Hall of Audience, is a public audience hall, where the Badshah would meet the common people. The word ‘aam’ means ‘common’ (people). Shah Jahan and his successors would hear general administrative issues and public grievances in the royal court. All the ministers and important board members would be present during the public appearances.
Diwan-i-am consists of large hall at the front with a dimension of 100 ft x 60 ft. The hall of audience had 9 x 3 square bays made by red sandstone columns. Originally, the hall had an gilded stucco work ornamentations. Heavy curtains would hung from the ceilings. Emperor’s seat was at the center bay.
The throne of Shah Jahan stood on the white marble canopy at the center of the hall. Access to throne had a secured entrance for the emperor from the back of the marble canopy. Mughal Prime Ministers would use the marble dais below the throne to receive general complaints and petitions.
Diwan-i-khas
The word ‘Diwan-i-khas’ means the hall for specials. The word ‘khas’ stands for ‘special’ members of the royal court. Ideally, Sultan’s key advisors were the members of Diwan-i-khas. It earlier had a silver plated ceiling, which the Marathas removed to raise the funding during the third battle of Panipat. However, the ceiling is now restored with wood.
Interior beauty of Diwan-i-khas was so attractive. Peacock Throne of Shah Jahan once was the major attraction of Diwan-i-khas. Nader Shah, during his invasion couldn’t resist himself but took the Peacock Throne with him.
Peacock Throne of Shah Jahan
The glorious Peacock Throne was commissioned in early 17th century, at Diwan-i-khas of Delhi Red Fort.
Construction of the Peacock throne took seven years and cost about 10 million Rupees during early 17th century. Precious jewels like rubies, garnets, diamonds, rich pearls and emeralds were used to decorate the throne. Famous diamonds Koh-i-Noor (Kohinoor) and Darya-i-Noor had once been part of Peacock Throne.
Nader Shah of Iran, after his invasion in 18th century, took the Peacock Throne with him, along with all precious stones. The Peacock Throne was later dismantled. Bottom part of the throne was used to build the Sun Throne, the imperial throne of Iran. Presently, the Sun Throne or former Peacock throne is kept at the vaults of Iranian Crown Jewels at Iran’s Central Bank.
Koh-i-Noor (mountain of light), the imperial diamond, weights 105.6 carats (21.12 grams). The Original weight of Kohinoor is believed to be 191 carats (38.2 grams). However, the Kohinoor, one of the largest cut diamonds in the world, had exchanged many hands after Nader Shah plundered it from the Red Fort. During East India Company’s annexation of Punjab in 1849, it went to the British.
Presently, Kohinoor is the part of Crown of Queen Elizabeth.
Darya-i Noor (sea of lights), a famous pink diamond, weights about 186 carat (36 grams). The diamond originally belonged to Kakatiya dynasty of Indian Deccan region. It thereafter went to Khalji dynasty and later to the Mughals. Presently, Darya-i Noor a rare collection of Iranian Crown Jewels of Central Bank of Iran at Tehran.
Chhatta Chowk
Chhatta Chowk is nothing but the imperial market with clothes, jewelries and other items. During the Mughal era, the market was popular as Bazaar-i-Musaqqaf. The phrase means ‘the roofed market’.
The ‘Bazaar-i-Musaqqaf‘ appears after the entrance through the Lahori gate of Red Fort. Various traditional ornaments, silks, clothes, handicrafts are still available for sale in present day.
Shahi Burj
The three storied octagonal tower was once emperor Shah-Jahan’s favorite workplace. An elegant garden in front of Shahi-Burj was mental delight of the emperor. The word ‘Shahi-Burj’ stands for ‘Royal tower’.
Shahi-Burj appears at the northeastern corner of the imperial enclosure of Delhi Red Fort. The tower had suffered a heavy damage during the British demolition of Red Fort in 1858 and subsequently by an earthquake in 1904. Those two incidents led to collapse of the Chhatri of the royal tower.
Emperor Aurangzeb had added a white marble pavilion adjacent to the tower. The pavilion appears to the south of Shahi-Burj.
Naqqar Khana
Naqqar khana or Naubat Khana stands at inner and outer court of Lahori Gate. The Persian word would mean the ‘Drum Hall’. Naqqar khana would announce the arrival of the the emperor and the other dignitaries at the Diwan-i-aam. Naqqar khana would also music five times a day at chosen hours.
‘Naubat Khana’ is also a Persian word stands for ‘waiting hall’ since the building had served as waiting hall too. The three storied building was a fairly large construction. The band gallery dimension was 100 x 80 feet.
Side arcades of Naubat khana were destroyed by the British during the demolition of 1858. Initially the British had installed a museum here. However, later they shifted the museum to Mumtaz Mahal.
Naubat khana of Red Fort had a dark history of assassination of two Mughal emperors. In 1713 CE, Mughal emperor Jalandhar Shah was probably killed here. Six years later, his successor, Farrukhsiyar was probably assassinated here.
Mumtaz Mahal
Emperor Shah Jahan had ensured a special palace for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Begum. Mumtaz Mahal was one of the six special palaces, facing the river Yamuna. All the six palaces had connectivity to the Nahr-i-Bihisht, a waterway which ran through them.
Mumtaz Mahal interior had special floral decorations. The palace is often called Jewel Palace for its exquisite interior decorations. Mumtaz Mahal exterior is also an eye catcher with white marble made walls and pillars.
When the British occupied the fort in 1858, they used the Jewel Palace as prison camp. However, the palace currently houses the Red Fort Archaeological Museum. Large portion of its exhibits are from the Mughal period itself.
Nader Shah invasion at Red Fort of Delhi
Glory time of Mughals during Shah Jahan’s reign had reflected in the fort’s architecture and artworks. Precious jewels were used in many decorative works. But after the death of Aurangzeb, his successors relatively failed to manage such a large administration. As a result, military potency of the empire also started declining.
Nader Shah, the Persian ruler of modern Iran, was the first to invade the Red Fort of Delhi. Nasir-ud-Din Muhammed Shah, the 13th Mughal emperor was reigning at Red Fort then. At the Battle of Karnal on 24 February, 1739 CE, Nader Shah’s troops completely overpowered Mughal army. According to famous history writer Jagadish Narayan Sarkar, Persian army just took three hours to defeat the Mughal army.
Muhammed Shah, however, managed to convince Nader Shah to save his imperium against a large indemnity.
According to Military Wikia, a rumor broke out on Nader’s assassination. Sensing an opportunity, Indians attacked Nader’s troops and killed his men. In reaction, Nader ordered his army for a mass slaughtering. As a result, army of Nader Shah conducted a massive bloodshed in Delhi. The death count went between 20,000 to 30,000.
Muhammad Shah was forced to beg for mercy, in exchange of handing over the keys of his royal treasury. Nader looted all the precious jewels including the fabulous diamonds Koh-i Noor (Kohinoor) and Darya-i Noor. After invasion of Nader Shah, the economy of Mughal empire entirely collapsed and never stood upright again.
Control of Marathas over the fort of Delhi
The Mughals lost control over the fort for the first time in 1757 CE, to the Marathas. On January 14th, 1761, Ahmed Shah Abdali (Or, Ahmed Shah Durrani), the Afghan ruler, demolished the Maratha army from Punjab, at the Third battle of Panipat. Marathas were struggling so much to raise fund for the battle then. Hence, they melted and removed silver plates from the ceiling of Diwan-i-khas, to raise the war fund.
For next few years, the Delhi throne of Red Fort remained vacant as Durrani had no plans to rule Delhi. Marathas went back after their loss at the third battle of Panipat. Shah Alam II, the 17th Mughal emperor, was also preferred to rule from Bihar area.
At last, Rohilla Afghan ruler Najib ad-Daulah ascended the throne of Delhi, with an empty treasury.
However, the Marathas regained their strength and came back strongly. Peshwa Madhav Rao sent his best commander, Mahadji Scindia to Delhi. Mahadji captured the fort in 1771 CE. But this time they restored Shah Alam II as their puppet ruler.
Jat and Sikh Attacks
Maharaja Jawahar Singh, the Jat ruler of Bharatpur, Rajasthan, also captured the Red Fort in 1765 CE. Jawahar Singh’s stay at Red Fort lasted for two days only. But he took away the Mughal throne and the large gate of Red Fort.
The doors are now located at the Lohagarh fort of Bharatpur. The Mughal throne is now enhances the beauty of Jal Mahal of Deeg in Bharatpur.
Few years later, the Sikhs also attacked and conquered the fort under the leadership of Baghel Singh. Similar to Jawahar Singh, they plundered the city and the fort.
British rule at the fort of Delhi
The Marathas controlled the until the East India Company captured it in 1803 CE. British force beaten the army of Daulat Rao Scindia comprehensively in the Battle of Delhi. East India Company took the full administrative control, placing their own administrator at the fort. Battle of Delhi of 1803, eventually brought comprehensive end of Mughals era at Delhi Red Fort.
In 1858, the British kept Bahadur Shah II, the last Mughal ruler at the fort, but as a prisoner. Within two months, Bahadur Shah exiled to Rangoon. Although the fort played much role in Indian Rebellion of 1857, but East India company still ordered the demolition of the fort in late 1858.
As a result of this order, 80% structures of the fort were demolished; including the walls, gardens, harems, servant quarters and other important buildings.
In June 1911, coronation of King George V and Queen Mary took place in London. Delhi Durbar was planned organize in December in 1911 to commemorate the historic moment. A grandest of events was organized to name King George V and Queen Mary as the Emperor and Empress of British India. In the same Durbar, they wanted announce the transfer of the capital of British India, from former Calcutta to Delhi.
The British emperor and the empress also had a plan to visit the fort. Therefore, an order of restoration of the fort was released to prepare for the grand ceremony. The boundary walls and gardens were mostly restored prior to Delhi Durbar.
FAQ on Red Fort of Delhi
Red Fort (or, Lal Qila) is very well connected with various parts of Delhi-NCR area via Bus, Metro and other public transports. You may choose any one of them you are planning to visit via any public transport.
It is open for visitors from from Sunrise till the Sunset from Tuesday to Sunday. The fort remains closed on Monday.
Chandni Chowk Metro Station. Yellow Line.
Rs 90 for Indian citizens and Rs 950 for foreigners. For more details visit https://delhitourism.gov.in/. You may book your tickets for any tourist place managed by Archaeological Survey of India from here.
