History of Red Fort?

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Yes, it's called the Red Fort, but it was not originally built that way. As per the Archaeological Survey of India, parts of the building were made of lime stone. When the white stone started chipping off, the building was painted red by the British.

Red Fort, also called Lal Qalʿah, also spelled Lal Kila or Lal Qila, Mughal fort in Old Delhi, India. It was built by Shah Jahān in the mid-17th century and remains a major tourist attraction. The fort was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007.

The high boundary walls were meant to provide maximum security to the royals. Since it was constructed in red stone and bricks the British called it Red Fort, and the natives translated it to the Lal Qila.

The Red Fort, which is also known as the Lal Qila, was constructed by one of the most famous Mughal emperors, Shah Jahan. Built on the banks of river Yamuna, the fortress-palace was designed by architect Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.

The Red Fort as we know it, was actually called Qila-e-Mubarak or the blessed fort. The monument was constructed when Mughal emperor Shah Jahan decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi.

It took 8 years and 10 months to build the magnificent fort. The fort served as the royal residence of the Mughal emperors from 1648 to 1857.

The fort’s massive red sandstone walls, which stand 75 feet (23 metres) high, enclose a complex of palaces and entertainment halls, projecting balconies, baths and indoor canals, and geometrical gardens, as well as an ornate mosque. Among the most famous structures of the complex are the Hall of Public Audience (Diwan-i-Am), which has 60 red sandstone pillars supporting a flat roof, and the Hall of Private Audience (Diwan-i-Khas), which is smaller, with a pavilion of white marble.

It is quite obvious that with limited machinery, construction in those days took longer. But 10 years! Ustad Hamid and Ustad Ahmed, the pioneering architects of Shah Jahan's time, started the construction in 1638 and finally completed it in 1648.

It took over the honor of royal residence from the famous Agra Fort when Shah Jahan decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi. The Red Fort derives its name from the red-sandstone walls, which make the fort almost impregnable.

The Kohinoor diamond was actually part of Shah Jahan's throne. Made of solid gold and studded with precious stones, the extravagant royal seat stood in Diwan-i-Khas (the hall of private audience), flaunting the world's largest diamond.

The fort, which is located at Old Delhi, is one of the massive and prominent structures of India and is a fine example of Mughal architecture. It is often considered as the pinnacle of Mughal creativity.

Constructed in the 17th century, this monument is an attraction by itself. The fort covers 254 acres of land covering 2.4 km. The fort is octagonal in shape and many regions of the fort are decorated with marble works. Kohinoor diamond is said to be a part of the decoration.

The Red Fort has two main gates - the Delhi gate and the Lahore gate. The Lahore gate got its name because of its orientation towards Lahore. After all, India and Pakistan used to be the same country once.

In modern times, the fort is of importance to the people of India as the Indian Prime Minister delivers his Independence Day speech from the fort, every year on August 15. In 2007, it was declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There is a third minor exit to the fort. Originally on the riverbank it was meant to ensure easy access to the river Yamuna. However, over the years, the course of the river changed but the name remained.

The Naubat Khana is a small drum room. In the ancient times, music was played from this room at specific intervals. Walk past the drum room to reach the main court area, NakkarKhana, a large, guarded public audience hall.

Shah Jahan, the then Mughal emperor decided to build the Red Fort as the citadel of Shahjahanabad, his new capital at Delhi. The fort, which was completely constructed in the year 1648, remained the residence of the Mughal emperors until 1857.

A bird's eye view of this amazing architectural splendour (spread over 256 acres) reveals its octagonal shape. The shape of the encircling red wall of the fort actually looks like an octagon.

The hall has large columns supported by decorated arches. You can find a raised platform with balcony from where the royals gave speeches. Walk past the hall to reach the imperial apartments on raised platforms. You can find canals that connect all the pavilions.

Post the reign of Aurangzeb, the Mughal dynasty grew weaker in every aspect and that started taking a toll on the fort. When Farrukhsiyar, the ninth Mughal emperor, took over the reign from Jahandar Shah after murdering him, the fort began to lose its luster, quite literally. During his reign, the silver ceiling of the fort was replaced with copper in order to raise money.

The Rang Mahal - literally meaning the palace of colours - was the residence of the emperor's wives, mistresses and maids. The emperor being one lucky man, lived right next door in the Khas Mahal so that he could visit the palace for dinner, or stroll over for coffee. However, the entry for others, except the princes was forbidden.

The water is drawn from River Yamuna. The southern most pavilions of the fort are women’s quarters, which contains Mumtaz Mahal and Rang Mahal. Mumtaz Mahal holds an archaeological museum. The museum holds artifacts of Mughal era. You can find astrolabes, jade objects, daggers, curtains, carpets, swords, inkpots, miniature paintings and others. One of the galleries in the museum holds pictures of independence struggles.

This was probably the beginning of the plunder that would go on for years to come. In 1739, Nadir Shah, the Persian emperor defeated the Mughals and took with him some of the valuables belonging to the fort, including the famous peacock throne, which had served as the royal throne of the Mughals.

The weakened Mughals had no other option but to sign a treaty with the Marathas, who had promised to protect them and the fort.