The significant link between the past and the present – Red Fort
The largest of old Delhi’s monuments is the Lal Quila or the Red Fort. In 1638 Shah Jahan shifted the Mughal Empire’s capital from Agra to Delhi. The Red Fort stands at the eastern edge of Shahjahanabad, and gets its name from the massive wall of red sandstone that defines its eight sides. Designed by the Mughal architects Ustad Hamid and Ahmad, Red Fort is an important symbolic monument in India even today. Every year on Independence Day (15th August) the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag and addresses the nation, from the ramparts of Red fort. Its rampart walls cover a perimeter of 2.5 kilometers and rise to a height of 33 meters on the town side and 18 meters on the riverside. Measurements have shown that the plan was generated using a square grid of 82m.The fort lies along the Jamuna River, which fed the moats that surround most of the wall. The wall at its north-eastern corner is adjacent to an older fort, the Salimgarh, a defense built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546. Construction on the Red Fort began in 1638 and was complete by 1648. But it is believed that it is The Ancient City of Lal Kot which
was captured by Shahjahan since Lal Kot literally means Red (Lal) Fort (Kot). Lal Kot was the capital city of Prithviraj Chauhan in the late 12th century. The two main gateways known as Lahori Gate and Delhi Gate (named so as they face Lahore and Delhi respectively) are three storeys high and are flanked by semi-octagonal towers. They are situated on the centre of the western and southern sides respectively. The main entrance to the fort is through the Lahori Gate. Beyond the gate, there is a roofed passage flanked by arcade apartments leading to the palaces known as Chhatta Chowk. Now these apartments are used as shops. Besides these, there were three other gates on other sides, which are kept closed now. The master builders of the Red fort were Hamid and Ahmad. Visitors are allowed only in a part of Red Fort as the army occupies the rest of it.Major buildings within include:- Chatta Chowk (Covered Bazaar). The entry to this splendid fort is from the Lahori Gate or the Chatta Chowk. True to the name, this is a covered bazaar between the gate and the fort itself, now filled with souvenir hawkers. This bazaar has an excellent collection of antiques, miniature paintings and skillfully crafted fake ivory jewelery. The bazaar also sells some fabulous carpets beautifully woven. Just beyond the Chhata
Chowk, is the heart of the fort called Naubat Khana, or the Drum House. Musicians used to play for the emperor from the Naubat Khana, and the arrival of princes and royalty was heralded from here. Still, the scale remains imposing and the gardens are kept lush and green even in midwinter.- Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience). This building separates the outer court from the inner court, and has a marble platform for the emperor’s throne.
- Hayat Baksh Bagh (Life-Bestowing Gardens). Once a grand garden of full of fountains and streams, now sadly all dry only dry channels and acres of green grass remain.
- Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience). Built completely of marble, this is where the emperor received special visitors.
- Khas Mahal (Private Palace). The Emperor’s main residence. The octagonal Mussaman Burj tower looks out toward the Yamuna River, and is where the Emperor used to appear before the public for each morning.
- Rang Mahal (Colour Palace). The residence of the Sultan’s main wife.
- Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel Palace). Contained six apartments for the Sultan’s harem. Now used as a museum of court textiles, carpets, weapons, etc.
