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A Brief Note on Red Fort, Delhi – UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Red Fort in Delhi is a perennially popular tourist destination that has withstood the test of time and continues to captivate visitors throughout the year. The majesty of the Mughal Empire will come to mind when you visit this historic fort, which is also referred to as Lal Qila. It has a history that spans over 370 years. Because of this, it is an excellent sight to include in your trip plan and hotel reservation while you are in the process of organising a vacation to Delhi.

Do you have an interest in learning more about this important historical site in Delhi? The history of the Red Fort in Delhi, as well as its opening and closing times, the cost of admission, and any other pertinent information, is detailed below.

The History of the Red Fort

The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan was responsible for the construction of the Red Fort, which was intended to function as the palace fort for his capital city of Shahjahanabad. When he moved his capital from Agra to Delhi, one of the first things he did was commission the construction of a fort on the banks of the Yamuna River. The construction, which began in 1638 and continued for over 8 years until it was finished, The original name of the building was Qila-i-Mubarak, which literally translates to “the Blessed Fort.” Over the course of its more than 300-year history, the fort has been home to a wide variety of people, such as Aurangzeb, Jahandar Shah, Muhammad Shah, and Bahadur Shah II, amongst others.

The Persian ruler Nadir Shan invaded the city in 1739 and looted the Red Fort, taking with him many priceless artefacts, one of which was known as the Peacock Throne. This action resulted in the massive destruction of the Red Fort. After that, in the course of the uprising against the British in 1857, the marble structures of the fort were also destroyed.

Architecture of the Red Fort

The fort, which encompasses a total area of 255 acres, is designed in a variety of architectural styles, including Persian, Hindu, Timurid, and Islamic. The monument got its name from the red sandstone that was used to construct its massive enclosing walls, which stretch for a total of 2.5 kilometres. While marble is used for the majority of the construction of the fort, red stone is used for a few specific parts of the structure. The building is in the shape of an irregular octagon, and in addition to turrets, bastions, pavilions, two gates, and a number of other sections, it also incorporates elements of garden design.

Today at the Red Fort

The Red Fort in Delhi is widely regarded as one of the city’s best attractions for visitors. On the occasion of Independence Day, the Prime Minister of the nation is responsible for raising the national flag at this important historical site. In addition, the Prime Minister gives a speech from the ramparts of the building. This illustrious structure was included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Delhi in 2007 due to the splendour with which it combines architectural design and historical significance. The Archeological Survey of India is the current owner of the property and has full control over it.

Show of Light and Sound at the Red Fort

Evening performances of the light and sound show are among the most popular things to see and do at the fort. The Red Fort light and sound show is considered to be among the very best light and sound shows in all of India. It walks you through the history of the structure in an engaging and aesthetically pleasing way as it does so. The programme comes to a close with a remark made by Jawaharlal Nehru. You have the option of booking the show online or purchasing tickets from one of the booths located within the fort.

Facts About the Red Fort That Are Less Commonly Known

  • Because red and white were Shah Jahan’s two favourite colours, the exterior of the fort was designed to be in those colours
  • In 2018, the Archaeological Survey of India took steps to illuminate the fort so that visitors could tour the site at night. For further information, please refer to our news report regarding the lighting of monuments in Delhi
  • The fort is depicted on the reverse side of the brand new 500 rupee note that was recently introduced
  • In 2019, the Prime Minister of India opened five additional museums inside Red Fort. These museums include the Subhash Chandra Bose Museum, the Museum of 1857, Yaad-e-Jallian, and Drishyakala. Azaadi Ke Deewane is the name of one of the museums

Conclusion

The Red Fort in Delhi is a perennially popular tourist destination that has withstood the test of time and continues to captivate visitors throughout the year. The majesty of the Mughal Empire will come to mind when you visit this historic fort, which is also referred to as Lal Qila. It has a history that spans over 370 years.The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan was responsible for the construction of the Red Fort, which was intended to function as the palace fort for his capital city of Shahjahanabad. When he moved his capital from Agra to Delhi, one of the first things he did was commission the construction of a fort on the banks of the Yamuna River.The fort, which encompasses a total area of 255 acres, is designed in a variety of architectural styles, including Persian, Hindu, Timurid, and Islamic. The monument got its name from the red sandstone that was used to construct its massive enclosing walls, which stretch for a total of 2.5 kilometres.

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How did the Red Fort come to be recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

The Red Fort Complex is recognised by UNESCO as a cultural site that should be preserved for future generations. The...Read full

Why is it so important to protect the Red Fort?

Celebrations commemorating India’s victory over the British Raj are held at the Red Fort on the 15th of August...Read full

What is the history of the Red Fort?

The Red Fort Complex was constructed to serve as the palace fort of Shahjahanabad, which was the new capital of Indi...Read full

What are the most notable characteristics of the Red Fort?

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How would you describe the form of Red Fort?

The Red Fort is an elongated building with an irregular octagon shape. Its perimeter is 2.41 kilometres long, and it...Read full