Withstanding the ravages of time lies this structure of red
sandstone known to the world as the Red Fort or Lal Quila, the largest of
Old Delhi's monuments. It rises above a wide dry moat in the northeast
corner of the original city of Shahjahanabad. Its walls extend from two
kilometers and vary in height from 18 meters on the river side to 33 meters
on the city side. Mughal Emperor Shahjahan started construction of the
massive fort in 1638 and work was completed in 1648. The fort essentially
reverberates the grandeur of the Mughals era and leaves many a visitor
wonderstruck and breathless.
An Inside View
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Entrance to the fort is through the imposing Lahore Gate, which
takes its name from the fact that it faces Lahore, now in Pakistan. It opens
on to the Chatta Chowk or Meena Bazaar, a covered street flanked with arched
cells that used to house Delhi's most talented jewelers, carpet makers,
weavers and goldsmiths. This arcade was the shopping center for the ladies
of the court. Just beyond the Chhata Chowk is the heart of the fort called
Naubat Khana or the Drum House where the court musicians used to play for
the emperor. The Fort also houses the Diwan-i-Am or the Hall of Public
Audiences where the Emperor would sit and listen to complaints from the
common folks. The Diwan-i-Khas is the hall of private audiences where the
Emperor held private meetings. This hall is made of marble and its
center-piece used to be the Peacock Throne, which was carried away to Iran
by Nadir Shah in 1739. Today, the Diwan-i-Khas is only a shadow of its
original glory, yet the famous Persian couplet inscribed on its wall remind
us of its former magnificence: "If on Earth be an Eden of bliss, it is
this, it is this, none but this."
The other attractions within this monument are the Royal Baths or hammams,
the Shahi Burj, which used to be Shahjahan's private working area and the
Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque, built by Aurangzeb for his personal use.
The Rang Mahal or the "Palace of Colors" housed the Emperor's
wives and mistresses.
How to Reach
Tourist taxis, auto-rickshaws and other tourist vehicles are
available from the city center to Old Delhi. Besides, sight-seeing tours are
conducted by Delhi tourism and various travel agencies have the Red Fort as
one of the most important destinations.
