Red Fort or Lal Qila Delhi India - Travelure \u00a9<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n

LISTEN<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\nOur Planet\u2019s Landmarks Series #<\/strong>50<\/h2>\n\n\n\nRed Fort or Lal Qila<\/em> Delhi India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nCloser home, come with me to another Mughal Landmark in Delhi<\/a> – Lal Qila<\/em> (Red Fort). While bearing elaborate signs of fortification, it served as the Mughal royal residence. Shah Jahan built it in the mid-17th century when he moved his capital from Agra<\/a> to Shahjahanabad (Delhi). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Distinctive$ <\/a>
Distinctive red wall and ramparts of the Fort<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Spread over a sprawling 255 acres, the structures within are splendid examples of an amalgamated architectural style embracing the Islamic, Hindu, Persian, and Timurid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Red sandstone that dominates the complex gives Lal Qila<\/em> its name. Surrounded by a now-dry moat, its high walls provided slots for cannons to fire at the enemy, making the Fort impregnable. The city-facing side is 33 metres high, while the riverside bulwark is a comparative dwarf at 18 metres. For added defence, an imposing dual-rampart fa\u00e7ade<\/em> hides its massive arched entrance called Lahore Gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"A$ <\/a>
A secondary entrance to the Fort<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"Chhatta$ <\/a>
Chhatta Chowk or Meena Bazaar lays within as you enter from Lahore Gate<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
$\"Room$ <\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s enter the Red Fort<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As you pass through Lahore Gate, a buzzing souvenir market greets you. Now known as Meena Bazaar, Chhatta Chowk<\/em> started as a shopping centre for the ladies of the royal court. This leads you to Naubat Khana<\/em> or Naqqar Khana<\/em> (Drum House). From here, the court musicians heralded the royals. Everyone except the emperor had to dismount as they entered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Naubat$ <\/a>
Naubat Khana or Naqqar Khana (Drum House). Here, musicians heralded the emperor’s arrival<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A water channel, known as Nahr-i-Behisht<\/em> (the stream of paradise), provides the backbone for the schematic of the complex. Set amid the gardens, along the stream, are a few pavilions, both big and small. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These include palaces – Mumtaz Mahal<\/em> (Mumtaz Palace), Rang Mahal<\/em> (Palace of Colours), Khas Mahal<\/em> (Distinguished Palace), Hira Mahal<\/em> (Diamond Palace); official buildings – Diwan-i-Aam<\/em> (House of Commons), Diwan-i-Khas<\/em> (House of Lords); and ancillary structures – Hammam<\/em> (Bath), Baoli<\/em> (Stepwell), and Moti Masjid<\/em> (Pearl Mosque).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Diwan-i-Aam$ <\/a>
Diwan-i-Aam or House of Commons, built with red sandstone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
The big-league pavilions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Though most of the structures are marble, one significant exception is Diwan-i-Aam<\/em>. Made with rust-coloured sandstone, this 100×60 ft hall is open from three sides. A set of columns support the arches spanned by sandstone beams. These pillars divide the hall into 27 square bays. The emperor met his subjects and heard their grievance from a marble balcony in the eastern wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Rang$ <\/a>
Rang Mahal or Palace of Colours was a part of the royal harem<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Rang Mahal<\/em> craftsmanship will strike you as intricate. A work of art in marble, it was part of the imperial harem. Nahr-i-Bihisht<\/em> flows through it and kept the place cool. Women used its basement, or tehkhana<\/em>, during the summers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Intricate$ <\/a><\/figure><\/li>
$\"Intricate$ <\/a><\/figure><\/li>
$\"Intricate$ <\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
As in Rang Mahal<\/em>, Diwan-i-Khas<\/em> has pillared chhatris <\/em>on its roof, one in each corner. Shahjahan integrated it into Lal Qila <\/em>as it existed from Akbar\u2019s time. Akbar had it built, in 1571. The emperor held his cabinet meetings and received his state guests here. It housed the famed Peacock Throne used by the emperor. Nahr-i-Bihisht<\/em> passes through the centre of this hall. Marauders, Marathas, and Mutineers plundered it. Today, what you see is a bare shell of its past glory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aurangzeb added Moti Masjid <\/em>or Pearl Mosque later. He built it circa 1660 CE, over a decade after Lal Qila<\/em>. The outer enclosure aligns with the Red Fort walls, while the inner walls orient towards Mecca.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
$\"Moti$ <\/a>
Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) was built by Aurangzeb in 1660 CE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A slice of our heritage<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUNESCO<\/a> inscribed Lal Qila <\/em>on the world heritage list in 2007 as it marks the \u201cZenith of Mughal Creativity\u201d. Lal Qila\u2019s innovative planning, architecture, and landscaping influenced later buildings and gardens in Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan, and further south. I chose it for the 50th post of my Planet\u2019s Landmark Series<\/a> for I find it special. And if you come to Delhi and not see Lal Qila<\/em>, you have not seen Delhi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mandatory Declaration:<\/strong> The post has affiliate links. It doesn\u2019t affect the price you pay for the product\/service but may earn me some money. The links have not biased the content.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Busy? Pin it for later!<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n $\"UNESCO$ <\/a><\/figure><\/li>
$\"UNESCO$ <\/a><\/figure><\/li>
$\"UNESCO$ <\/a><\/figure><\/li>
$\"UNESCO$ <\/a><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UNESCO inscribed Lal Qila on the world heritage list in 2007 as it marks the \u201cZenith of Mughal Creativity\u201d. Lal Qila\u2019s innovative planning, architecture, and landscaping influenced later buildings and gardens in Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan, and further south. – Lal Qila or Red Fort Delhi India – Travelure \u00a9<\/p>\n
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