Red Fort / Lal Qila, Delhi

After our first day's tour of Connaught place, India Gate, Firoz Shah Kotla Fort, we had booked a day tour with Delhi Tourism HOHO bus service for the second day. With Red Fort not listed under our route with HOHO, we thought of visiting Red Fort before catching our HOHO bus. Red Fort was the first place we witnessed when we entered Delhi, staying just opposite to it, at Lal Mandir, we got its glimpse every time we left out for the city tour.

The red fort in old Delhi was the fortified palace of Shahjahanabad, capital of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1648. Constructed along the river Yamuna, the fort was commissioned when Shah Jahan decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi. The fort gets its name from its massive red sand stone walls, reflecting magnificent Mughal rule, its architecture is a fusion of Timurid, Persian and Hindu traditions.

And its known for the Independence Day celebration, when the Prime Minister of the country hoists the Indian flag and addresses the nation from the Lahore Gate of the fort.

Naubat Khana, clicked from Diwan-i-Aam

After buying the tickets(a collective ticket for the main entrance and museums inside the fort), you enter the fort through Lahore Gate, the gate which faces Lahore, the city now in Pakistan. As you enter the Lahore Gate, is the roofed street called Chatta Bazaar, lined up with shops selling souvenirs. The two storeyed buildings are said to have catered luxury trade of silk, velvet, brocades, gold and silverware, jewelry and gems during Shah Jahan's rule.

Diwan-i-Aam

The exit of the Chatta Bazaar leads you to the open space. Next is the Naubat Khana, a gate which takes you to the Diwan-i-Aam. Naubat Khana also houses the Indian War Memorial Museum. The museum has galleries pertaining to military history of India during first and second world war.

Diwan-i-Aam, a hall for the public audience during the rule, has the marble throne with intricate work. The walls and pillars too reflect great architectural beauty.

The marble throne at Diwan-i-Aam

Carvings on outer wall of Diwan-i-Aam

 There are a row of pavilions towards the back of Diwan-i-Aam. The pavilions are said to be connected by a canal known as Nahi-i-Behisht(Stream of Paradise).

Diwan-i-Khas

The row of pavilions include, Mumtaz Mahal(which houses Red Fort Archaeological Museum), Rang Mahal(Palace of colours) for emperor's wives and mistresses, Khas Mahal(emperor's apartment), Diwan-i-Khas(hall of private audience), Moti Masjid(Pearl Mosque), Hammam(the imperial baths). All the pavilions have great marble work inlaid with precious stones. 

The Archaeological Museum exhibits the articles belonging to Akbar and his successors and Bahadur Shah Zafar. Exhibits include miniature paintings, manuscripts, porcelain and jade objects, textile, furniture and other belongings of royal rulers.

Diwan-i-Khas

Diwan-i-Khas

Further ahead is the Hayat Bakhsh Bagh, meaning "Life Bestowing Garden" had beautiful gardens, which were destoryed during British rule. The garden presently has a reservoir with channels, with red stone Zafar Mahal at the center and two white pavilions Savon and Bhadon at the end.

Window at Khas Mahal

 Rang Mahal

Beyond the Hayat Bakhsh Bagh, the road leads to Salimgarh Fort through arched bridge.

Travel Info:

Red Fort is at Netaji Subhash Marg. Nearest Metro station is Chandi Chowk.

Entry fee:

Indian tourists: Rs. 10

Foreign tourists: Rs. 250

Fort is closed on Mondays and open from sunrise to sunset rest of the days.

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