Category: red Fort

Red Fort – Palaces Mumtaz Mahal Mumtaz Mahal was a palace along with five other palaces that faces Yamuna river. Nahri-Bihisht was the source of water to all the palaces. White marble was used to construct the palace. The palace has six apartments separated by arched piers. During the British period, the palace was used as a prison. Currently the palace is converted into a museum having the things used during the Mughal period. Rang Mahal Rang Mahal was previously known as Imtiyaz Mahal or Palace of Distinction. It was constructed by Shah Jahan who used this palace as a harem. Due to the presence of mirrors, some of the apartments in this palace were known as Shish Mahal. During the British period, the structure was used as a mess hall. Nahr-i-Bihisht was the source of water to the palace. There is a basement or tehkhana used by women during summer season. Khas Mahal Khas Mahal was the private residence of the emperor. The palace was divided into three sections which are Telling Beads or Tasbih Khana, Sleeping Room or Khwabgah, and Wardrobe or Tosha Khana also known as Baithak or Sitting Room. Marble was used to construct the interiors. These marbles were painted with coloured floral patterns. Mussamman Burj is located on the east of the palace and emperor used to address the public from here every morning. Hira Mahal Hira Mahal was constructed by Bahadur Shah II and is located south of Hayat Bakhsh Bagh. The decoration of the mahal is very simple but have carved arches. There was Moti Mahal beside the Hira Mahal which was destroyed during the mutiny of 1857. Zafar Mahal Zafar Mahal was constructed by Bahadur Shah Zafar in 1842 in the middle of a water tank. Red sandstone is used to build the palace. After the mutiny of 1857, the tank was used by the British as a swimming pool.

Discuss Red Fort Red Fort in Delhi was constructed by Shah Jahan in 1639. The fort was under the Mughals for 200 years. There are many monuments inside the fort which include mosque, palaces, halls, gates, and others. As the fort is built by using red sandstone so it is called Red Fort or Lal Qila. This tutorial will let you know about the history of the fort along with the structures present inside. You will also get the information about the best time to visit it along with how to reach the fort.

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Red Fort – Overview Lal Qila or Red Fort is called so because it was constructed with red sandstone. It was a residential area of Mughals for about 200 years. It was also used to perform various ceremonies. Shah Jahan constructed the fort in 1639. Nearby the fort is the Salimgarh Fort built by Islam Shah Suri son of Sher Shah Suri. Nadir Shah plundered the fort in 1747 and the British did it in 1857. Delhi Delhi is the capital city of India and is popular for many historical monuments present in the city. The city is bordered by Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the most populous city of India and third largest urban area in the world. Delhi was ruled by many kings of different empires. It was captured, sacked, and built many times. Visiting hours The fort is opened for the public from 9:30am to 4:30pm. It is opened on all days and closed on Mondays. Sound and light shows are also arranged here and timings depend upon climate. The duration of the show is one hour and the timings are as follows − September & October 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Hindi) 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm (English) November to January 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (Hindi) 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm (English) February to April 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Hindi) 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm (English) May to August 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm (Hindi) 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm (English) Tickets Tourists have to pay an entry fee in order to visit the fort. For Indians, the cost of the ticket per person is Rs. 30 and for foreigners, it is Rs. 500 per person. There is also sound and light show and cost of tickets for adults on weekdays is Rs. 60 and for children of the age of 5 to 12 years is Rs. 20. On weekends, the cost of the tickets for adults is Rs. 80 and for children Rs. 30. Best time to visit The period between October and March is the best time to visit the fort as the weather is very pleasant. Though the month of December and January are chilly but still the tourists will enjoy their tour. In the rest of the months, the climate is very hot and humid which causes discomfort to the tourists. Where to Stay? There are more than 2500 hotels in Delhi which range from inexpensive budget hotels to expensive five-star hotels. Tourists can also stay in tourist hostels and guest houses which provide a comfortable stay. Good service is offered in all kinds of hotels. Some of the hotels in the city are as follows − Five-Star Hotels The Suryaa located at South Delhi Japee Siddharth located at Karol Bagh The Ashok located at South Delhi The Leela Palace located at South Delhi ITC Maurya located at Sadar Bazar Marg Four-Star Hotels Hotel Samrat located at South Delhi Tavisha Hotel located at Friends Colony Treebo Amber located at Okhla The Athena Hotel located at South Delhi Hotel City Park located at West Delhi Three-Star Hotels Hotel O’Delhi located at Karol Bagh Hotel Luck Residency located at Airport Zone Hotel All iz Well located at Paharganj Hotel Sun International located at Paharganj Hotel Sonu DX located at Paharganj Budget or Two-Star Hotels Hotel Ashoka Continental located at Paharganj Hotel Royal Castle located at Chittaranjan Park Hotel Chanchal Deluxe located at Paharganj Hotel Radha Krishan located at Paharganj The Golden Palms Hotel located at East Delhi Cheap or One-Star Hotels Hotel Glow Inn located at Paharganj Hotel New King located at Paharganj Hotel Shreeram Deluxe located at Paharganj Hotel Sawera International located at Paharganj Hotel Shivlok Palace Hotel located at Paharganj

Red Fort – Nearby Places There are many monuments nearby Lal Qila built by various rulers. Description of some of the monuments is given here. India Gate India Gate is also known as All India War Memorial. The gate was built in the memory of 82,000 soldiers who were killed in the First World War between 1914 and 1921. Tourists can find names of around 13,300 servicemen including some soldiers and officers inscribed on the gate. Sir Edwin Lutyens was its designer. Amar Jawan Jyoti was built after the war between India and Pakistan in 1971. In this structure, a black marble plinth with inverted rifle is there on which a war helmet is kept and is surrounded by four eternal flames. Qutub Minar Qutub Minar was built by Qutbuddin Aibak and is the tallest brick minaret in the world. In case of height, it is second as Fateh Burj in Punjab comes first. The height of Qutub Minar is around 73m. Mehrauli is the place in Delhi where the monument is located. The minaret is made up of red sandstone and marble. In order to reach at the top of the minaret, tourists have to climb around 379 stairs. Humayun’s Tomb Humayun’s Tomb was built by Akbar and designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas. The tomb is 8.2km away from red fort. Humayun’s wife ordered to construct the tomb in 1565 and it was completed in 1572. The tomb of Isa Khan is also nearby. Isa Khan was a courtier of Sher Shah Suri and fought against the Mughals. Humayun’s tomb also has the graves of Bega Begum, Hamida Begum, and Dara Shikoh. The tomb was built on the banks of river Yamuna. Jama Masjid Jama Masjid was built by Shah Jahan between 1644 and 1645. The mosque is also known as Masjid-i-Jahan Numa. The mosque has three gates, four towers, and two minarets each having the height of 40 feet. The courtyard of the mosque is very large and more than 25,000 people can simultaneously pray here. Saadullah Khan was the prime minister of Shah Jahan and he supervised the construction of the mosque. The main entrance of the mosque faces red fort and was used by emperors to enter the mosque. Jahanpanah Fort Jahanpanah was a fortified city built by Muhammad bin Tughlaq to combat the Mongol attacks. The city has now been ruined but still people can find walls and a few structures built inside the fort. Jahanpanah means Refuge of the world. The city was spread from Siri to Qutub Minar. The city now comes under urban development and many modern structures have been constructed.

Red Fort, Delhi Job Search Red Fort in Delhi was constructed by Shah Jahan in 1639. The fort was under the Mughals for 200 years. There are many monuments inside the fort which include mosque, palaces, halls, gates, and others. As the fort is built by using red sandstone so it is called Red Fort or Lal Qila. This tutorial will let you know about the history of the fort along with the structures present inside. You will also get the information about the best time to visit it along with how to reach the fort. Audience This tutorial is designed for the people who would like to know about the history of Red Fort or Lal Qila in Delhi along with the interiors and design of the fort. This fort is visited by many people from India and abroad. Prerequisites This is a brief tutorial designed only for informational purpose. There are no prerequisites as such. All that you should have is a keen interest to explore new places and experience their charm.

Red Fort – How to Reach? Lal Qila or Red Fort is situated in Delhi which is connected to all parts of India through air, rail, and road transport. As Delhi is the capital city of India so it is connected with almost all parts of India. Let’s take a look at the nearby cities with their approximate distance. Delhi to Kanpur By air – 393km By rail – 440km By road – 468km Delhi to Lucknow By air – 417km By rail – 512km (via Kanpur) 490km (via Bareilly) By road – 558km Delhi to Agra By air – 180km By rail – 195km By road – 217km Delhi to Jaipur By air – 241km By rail – 288km By road – 268km Delhi to Bareilly By air – 217km By rail – 258km By road – 259km Delhi to Moradabad By air – 154km By rail – 154km By road – 166km Delhi to Gwalior By air – 285km By rail – 313km By road – 329km By Air Delhi is connected to most of the major cities of India and abroad through air transport. Indira Gandhi International Airport is situated at Palam a place 16km away from Delhi. Both domestic and international flights land here. There are separate terminals for catching domestic and international flights. By Rail Delhi is connected to almost all parts of India except Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram by rail. There are many railway stations in Delhi from where many trains originate, terminate or have stoppage. The main railway stations of Delhi are as follows − New Delhi Old Delhi Hazrat Nizamuddin Delhi Sarai Rohilla Delhi Cantt Delhi Safdarjung There are other stations where only local trains have stoppage. By Road Delhi is connected to many cities by road transport. Tourists can catch buses from ISBT Kashmiri Gate, ISBT Anand Vihar, and ISBT at Sarai Kale Khan. Tourists can catch buses for Kanpur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Udaipur, Agra, and many other cities. AC and non-AC buses run from these terminals. Some long distance buses also have sleeper coach. Local Transport Tourists can visit Red Fort through various modes of local transport. They can use auto rickshaws, taxis, and local buses to reach the fort. Metro trains also run in the city and the nearest metro station to the fort is Chandni Chowk on Yellow Line which is 1.5km away from the red fort.

Red Fort – Gates Lahori Gate Lahori gate is named so because it faces the city of Lahore now in Pakistan. There are three storeys in the gate having arch panels of different shapes. Red sandstone is used to build the gate while the roofs of the pavilions are constructed with white stone. This is the main gate through which tourists can enter the fort. Flag is also hoisted on Independence Day and Republic Day every year. Delhi Gate Delhi Gate or Dilli Darwaza is another entrance to the fort. This gate is made in the same style as the Lahori gate. It has three storeys and each storey has arch panels which are of different shapes. These shapes include square, rectangle, and cusp. Red sandstone is used to build the gate while the roof is built with white stone. Water Gate Water Gate was built on the southeast walls of the fort. It is a minor gate and was built on the river bank. The river changed its course but the name of the gate remains the same.

Red Fort – Halls Diwan-i-Aam Diwan-i-Aam or the public audience hall was built by Shah Jahan and it was used to hear the problems of the public. His successors also used the hall for the same purpose. The front hall of the Diwan-i-Aam has entrance from three sides. The dimension of the hall is 100 feet x 60 feet. The hall is divided into 27 square bays with the help of columns that support the arches. The ceiling and columns of the hall is painted with gold while lime plaster is used to plaster the wall. Marble canopy can be found in the eastern wall. The canopy is covered by Bengal roof. The prime minister used to receive petition on a dais which was located below the throne. A gold plated railing separated the king from the courtiers. Diwan-i-Khas Diwan-i-Khas or the private audience hall was built with white marble on which precious stones were carved. The ceiling was built using silver and now it is replaced by wood. Peacock throne was also installed here which was taken away by Nadir Shah.

Red Fort – Quick Guide Red Fort – Overview Lal Qila or Red Fort is called so because it was constructed with red sandstone. It was a residential area of Mughals for about 200 years. It was also used to perform various ceremonies. Shah Jahan constructed the fort in 1639. Nearby the fort is the Salimgarh Fort built by Islam Shah Suri son of Sher Shah Suri. Nadir Shah plundered the fort in 1747 and the British did it in 1857. Delhi Delhi is the capital city of India and is popular for many historical monuments present in the city. The city is bordered by Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the most populous city of India and third largest urban area in the world. Delhi was ruled by many kings of different empires. It was captured, sacked, and built many times. Visiting hours The fort is opened for the public from 9:30am to 4:30pm. It is opened on all days and closed on Mondays. Sound and light shows are also arranged here and timings depend upon climate. The duration of the show is one hour and the timings are as follows − September & October 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Hindi) 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm (English) November to January 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (Hindi) 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm (English) February to April 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Hindi) 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm (English) May to August 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm (Hindi) 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm (English) Tickets Tourists have to pay an entry fee in order to visit the fort. For Indians, the cost of the ticket per person is Rs. 30 and for foreigners, it is Rs. 500 per person. There is also sound and light show and cost of tickets for adults on weekdays is Rs. 60 and for children of the age of 5 to 12 years is Rs. 20. On weekends, the cost of the tickets for adults is Rs. 80 and for children Rs. 30. Best time to visit The period between October and March is the best time to visit the fort as the weather is very pleasant. Though the month of December and January are chilly but still the tourists will enjoy their tour. In the rest of the months, the climate is very hot and humid which causes discomfort to the tourists. Where to Stay? There are more than 2500 hotels in Delhi which range from inexpensive budget hotels to expensive five-star hotels. Tourists can also stay in tourist hostels and guest houses which provide a comfortable stay. Good service is offered in all kinds of hotels. Some of the hotels in the city are as follows − Five-Star Hotels The Suryaa located at South Delhi Japee Siddharth located at Karol Bagh The Ashok located at South Delhi The Leela Palace located at South Delhi ITC Maurya located at Sadar Bazar Marg Four-Star Hotels Hotel Samrat located at South Delhi Tavisha Hotel located at Friends Colony Treebo Amber located at Okhla The Athena Hotel located at South Delhi Hotel City Park located at West Delhi Three-Star Hotels Hotel O’Delhi located at Karol Bagh Hotel Luck Residency located at Airport Zone Hotel All iz Well located at Paharganj Hotel Sun International located at Paharganj Hotel Sonu DX located at Paharganj Budget or Two-Star Hotels Hotel Ashoka Continental located at Paharganj Hotel Royal Castle located at Chittaranjan Park Hotel Chanchal Deluxe located at Paharganj Hotel Radha Krishan located at Paharganj The Golden Palms Hotel located at East Delhi Cheap or One-Star Hotels Hotel Glow Inn located at Paharganj Hotel New King located at Paharganj Hotel Shreeram Deluxe located at Paharganj Hotel Sawera International located at Paharganj Hotel Shivlok Palace Hotel located at Paharganj Red Fort – History Red Fort of Delhi is a very popular historical monument as national flag is hoisted on 15th August and 26th January on the auspicious occasion of Independence Day and Republic Day respectively. The fort was under the Mughals for nearly 200 years then it came under Marathas and British. Red Fort under Shah Jahan The fort was constructed by Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor, when he wanted to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri designed the fort and it was constructed on the banks of Yamuna River whose water filed the moats of the fort. The construction of the fort was started in 1639 and completed in 1648. Red Fort under Aurungzeb Shah Jahan was succeeded by his son Aurungzeb who added Pearl Mosque or Moti Masjid in the fort. He also built barbicans at the two main entrances of the fort. After the death of Aurungzeb, the glory of the fort began to decline. Red Fort Post Aurungzeb Reign Aurungzeb was succeeded by Jahander Shah in 1712. He was murdered by Farrukhsiyar who became his successor. He replaced the silver ceiling of Rang Mahal with copper one in order to raise money. Muhammad Shah took over the fort in 1719. During his reign, Nadir Shah attacked Delhi and defeated the Mughals. During the attack, Nadir Shah plundered the fort and took away the Peacock Throne. This attack made the Mughals weak. Red Fort under Marathas Mughals signed a treaty with the Marathas in 1752 who became the protectors of the fort. Marathas also attacked and conquered Lahore and Peshawar which led to a conflict with Ahmad Shah Abdali. In order to protect the fort, the Marathas melted the silver of the ceiling of Diwan-i-Khas constructed by Shah Jahan. The Marathas wanted to raise the fund to defend the fort from Ahmad Shah Abdali. Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated the Marathas in the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761. Shah Alam became the emperor of Delhi with the help of Marathas in 1771. Sikh attacked and conquered the fort but ready to give the fort back to Shah Alam on a condition that seven gurudwaras have to be built and protected in the