Red Fort (Lal Qila)
A Timeless Marvel of Mughal Grandeur
The Regal Splendor of the Red Fort
Step into history and marvel at the majestic Red Fort (Lal Qila), an enduring symbol of Mughal opulence and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This iconic fortress, with its towering red sandstone walls, stands as a timeless testament to the grandeur of Shah Jahan’s era.
Within the walls, you’ll find a harmonious arrangement of grand pavilions, marble palaces, and verdant gardens. At its heart flows the enchanting Nahr-i-Behisht (Stream of Paradise), connecting a series of private apartments. These structures, adorned with intricate carvings, majestic arches, and ornate floral motifs, reflect the pinnacle of Mughal craftsmanship.
The Red Fort Complex, which includes the historic Salimgarh Fort, is a blend of Islamic, Persian, Timurid, and Hindu architectural influences. The famed architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori, who also designed the Taj Mahal, brought Shah Jahan’s vision to life.
Explore its grandeur and immerse yourself in the stories etched into its walls. From the Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience) to the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), every corner of the Red Fort whispers tales of power, art, and history.
Best Time to Visit
Ideal Months: October to March
Delhi’s winter months offer pleasant weather, perfect for sightseeing and exploring the city’s outdoor attractions.
October-November: Post-monsoon greenery and festivals like Diwali.
December-January: Cool weather; perfect for enjoying iconic food and cultural festivals.
February-March: Blooming gardens and events like the Delhi Flower Show.
17°C
Major Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI)
New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS): Centrally located, ideal for city access.
Hazrat Nizamuddin: Convenient for Agra and Jaipur connections.
Old Delhi Railway Station: Close to historical attractions like Chandni Chowk and Red Fort.
Bus Services: ISBTs at Kashmere Gate, Sarai Kale Khan, and Anand Vihar offer state and private bus options.
Drive: Excellent road connectivity with highways linking Agra (Yamuna Expressway), Jaipur, and Chandigarh.
Highlights of the Red Fort
Lahori Gate
The Lahori Gate, the main entrance to the Red Fort, gets its name from its direction towards the city of Lahore, which was once part of the Mughal Empire.
During Aurangzeb’s reign, the gate’s appearance was altered with the addition of a barbican, which Shah Jahan famously likened to “a veil drawn across the face of a beautiful woman,” enhancing its visual impact.
Since 1947, the Lahori Gate has held significant national importance. On every Indian Independence Day, the national flag is unfurled, and the Prime Minister delivers a speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort, marking the event.
Delhi Gate
The Delhi Gate serves as one of the entrances to the Red Fort in Delhi, located on its southern wall. It derives its name from the city it faces. The primary entrance to the fort, the Lahori Gate, bears a similar architectural design.
Constructed during the reign of Shah Jahan, the Delhi Gate was later enhanced by Aurangzeb, who added a 10.5-meter-high barbican on its western side.
The gate features a three-story structure adorned with square, rectangular, and cusped arched panels. Semi-octagonal towers flank the panels, topped with two open octagonal pavilions. Red sandstone dominates the gate’s façade, while the pavilion roofs are crafted from white stone. Between the two pavilions lies a screen of miniature chhatris, embellished with seven small marble domes. Flame-shaped battlements line the surrounding wall, adding to the grandeur of the design.
Chhatta Chowk
The Chhatta Chowk, meaning “Covered Bazaar,” is a historic marketplace located within the Red Fort of Delhi, India. This long, arched passage lies just behind the Lahori Gate and features 32 arched bays on either side, serving as shops. These two-story flats once housed a highly exclusive market during Shah Jahan’s reign, offering luxurious goods such as silk, brocades, velvet, jewelry, gold, silverware, and precious stones, catering to the imperial household’s refined tastes.
Dating back to the 17th century, the Chhatta Chowk was modeled after a covered bazaar in Peshawar, designed by the noble Ali Mardan Khan. Shah Jahan was impressed by this design during his visit in 1646 and directed Makramat Khan, the supervisor of the Red Fort’s construction, to replicate the concept within the fort.
Unlike typical Mughal bazaars, which were open-air, the Chhatta Chowk is a rare example of a roofed market. It was originally known as Bazaar-i-Musaqaf, with “saqaf” meaning “roof” in Persian.
Over time, significant changes were made to the structure. In the 20th century, the arches were walled up, altering the bazaar’s original design. Additionally, the vibrant colors that once adorned its ceiling have faded. Restoration plans have been proposed to bring back the bazaar’s former grandeur.
Naubat Khana
In the eastern wall of the court stands the Naubat Khana, also called the Nakkar Khana, meaning “drum house” in Persian. This structure, now isolated, was once used for daily music performances at designated times within the Red Fort. During these performances, all visitors, except royalty, were required to dismount as a mark of respect.
Historical records suggest that Mughal emperors Jahandar Shah (1712–1713) and Farrukhsiyar (1713–1719) met their demise within this structure.
Today, the second floor of the Naubat Khana houses the Indian War Memorial Museum.
The vaulted arcade of the Chhatta Chowk terminates at the center of the outer court, which originally measured 540 feet by 360 feet (160 meters by 110 meters). However, the side arcades and the central tank of the Red Fort were demolished after the 1857 rebellion.
Diwan-i-Aam
The Diwan-i-Am, or Hall of Audience, is a prominent structure in Delhi’s Red Fort, where Emperor Shah Jahan (1592–1666) and subsequent Mughal rulers addressed the public and listened to their concerns.
The main courtyard leading to the Diwan-i-Am, accessed through the Nakkarkhana, spans 540 feet in width and 420 feet in depth. This courtyard was bordered by arcaded galleries that served as posts for the chieftains (umaras) on duty. The Diwan-i-Am is situated on the far side of this court.
The hall itself features an open design on three sides, with a series of rooms at the back constructed from red sandstone. Measuring 100 feet by 60 feet, the space is divided into 27 bays, supported by a network of columns and arches. Sandstone beams are used to span the roof.
At the center of the eastern wall, a marble canopy (jharokha) with a distinctive “Bengal” roof sits above a marble platform inlaid with semi-precious stones. This platform was where the prime minister (wazir) accepted petitions. A gold-plated railing separated the emperor from the courtiers, while a silver railing enclosed the other three sides of the hall. The ceremonial gathering, known as Jharokha Darshan, took place here.
Mumtaz Mahal
The Mumtaz Mahal, meaning “Jewel Palace” in Hindustani, is located within the Red Fort in Delhi.
One of six main palaces that faced the Yamuna River, the Mumtaz Mahal was connected to the others via the Stream of Paradise (Nahr-i-Bishisht), a water channel that flowed through the complex. In its original layout, the Chhoti Baithak, which no longer exists, was situated just to the north of the Mumtaz Mahal.
Constructed with white marble on the lower walls and pillars, the building consists of six apartments divided by arched piers. The interior was once decorated with floral motifs. As part of the Zenana, the Mumtaz Mahal served as a space for the royal women. After the British occupation of the fort, it was repurposed as a prison camp.
Today, the building houses an exhibition from the Red Fort Archaeological Museum, showcasing primarily Mughal-era artifacts.
Rang Mahal
The Rang Mahal, also known as the Palace of Colour, is situated within the Red Fort in Delhi.
Originally part of the imperial harem, the Rang Mahal provided a resting place for the female members of the royal family. During Shah Jahan’s reign, it was referred to as the Palace of Distinction (Imtiaz Mahal). After the British took control of the fort in 1857, the Rang Mahal was briefly used as a mess hall.
The interior of the building was once lavishly painted and adorned. Some of the rooms within the palace are known as the Shish Mahal, as their ceilings were covered with tiny mirror pieces, creating a shimmering effect.
A shallow canal, called the Stream of Paradise (Nahr-i-Bihist), ran through the center of the marble palace, feeding into a marble basin carved into the floor. Beneath the Rang Mahal was a basement, or tehkhana, which served as a cool retreat for the women during the hot summer months.
Khas Mahal
The Khas Mahal served as the private residence of the Mughal emperor within the Red Fort in Delhi, a grand complex used for both defensive and governmental purposes.
The structure is divided into three main sections: the Chamber of Telling Beads (Viz-tasbih-khana), the sleeping chamber (khwabgah), and the wardrobe or sitting room (tosha-khana/baithak). Its interior is adorned with intricately carved white marble, painted with vibrant floral designs, and partially gilded ceilings. A marble screen in the palace features a depiction of the scale of justice (Mizan-i-adal), symbolizing the emperor’s role in administering justice—a significant example of Mughal art.
To the east of the Khas Mahal stands the Octagonal Tower (Muthamman Burj), where the emperor would conduct the Jharokha Darshan, a daily public ceremony in which he addressed his subjects from the balcony.
Diwan-i-Khas
The Diwan-i-Khas, or Hall of Private Audiences, was constructed in 1648 within the Red Fort in Delhi. This chamber served as a reception space where Emperor Shah Jahan met with courtiers and distinguished state guests. The hall was also referred to as the Shah Mahal.
Measuring 90 x 67 feet, the Diwan-i-Khas features a rectangular central chamber surrounded by arches supported by marble piers. The lower sections of these piers are adorned with floral inlays, while the upper parts are painted and gilded. Four pillared chhatris crown the roof’s corners.
The ceiling, which was once inlaid with silver and gold, was stripped during the financial crises of the empire, especially during invasions by the Jats and Marathas. A new ceiling was installed in 1911. This hall once housed the Peacock Throne, which was later moved after Nader Shah’s invasion. The throne is said to have been placed towards the east side of the hall, and François Bernier, a French traveler, noted its presence here. Jean-Baptiste Tavernier described seeing the throne in the Diwan-i-Am, and also mentioned seeing five smaller thrones in the hall.
Following the 1857 rebellion, the hall was looted, and the throne, carpets, and other treasures were taken. Today, the hall remains a mere shadow of its former grandeur. Recent restoration efforts have focused on reviving inlaid panels and recreating the gilded patterns on the pillars at the hall’s entrance.
Beneath the hall and its connected buildings lies a space called zer-jharokha, or “beneath the lattices,” located in the riverbed.
Hammam
The Hammam-e-Lal Qila (Urdu: حمامِ لال قلعہ, Hindi: हम्माम-ए-लाल क़िला) is the Turkish bath situated within the Red Fort in Delhi, designed as the bathing area for the Mughal emperor. It is located to the north of the Diwan-i-Khas.
The structure is built from marble and consists of three interconnected apartments, each topped with domes. The interiors are illuminated by colored glass skylights, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
The two rooms adjacent to the main entrance were likely used by the royal children for bathing. The eastern apartment, featuring three fountain basins, served primarily as a dressing room. Each room contained a central fountain, and one room also had a marble reservoir built into its wall. According to legend, rose-scented water once flowed from the taps in this room. The western apartment was intended for hot or vapor baths, with a heating system installed in its western wall.
The Hammam’s interior is lavishly adorned with intricate pietra dura floral designs inlaid in white marble, and the floors and dados are also finished in the same marble, adding to its luxurious appearance.
Baoli
The baoli (step-well) within the Red Fort is one of the few structures to have survived the extensive demolitions conducted by the British after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. During this period, the baoli’s chambers were repurposed as a prison.
Later, in 1945–46, during the Red Fort Trials, it housed Indian National Army (INA) officers, including General Shah Nawaz Khan, Colonel Prem Kumar Sahgal, and Colonel Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon. The Red Fort’s baoli is uniquely designed, featuring two sets of staircases that lead down to the well, distinguishing it from other similar structures.
Moti Masjid
The Moti Masjid, meaning “Pearl Mosque,” is a 17th-century mosque located within the Red Fort complex in Delhi, India.
Commissioned by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, the mosque was damaged during the Siege of Delhi but was later restored by the British.
Renowned for its white marble construction, the mosque is adorned with intricate floral carvings. It stands as a significant example of Mughal architecture from the era of Aurangzeb.
Hira Mahal
The Hira Mahal, or “Diamond Palace,” is a pavilion located at the southern edge of the Red Fort, constructed under the patronage of Bahadur Shah II. It is positioned at the end of the Hayat Baksh Garden.
On the northern edge of the Red Fort stood the Moti Mahal, a twin structure that was demolished during or shortly after the 1857 rebellion.
The Shahi Burj, known as the “Emperor’s Tower,” served as the emperor’s primary study and originally featured a chhatri on top.
Hayat Bakhsh Bagh
The Hayat Bakhsh Bagh (Persian: حیات بخش باغ, lit. ‘Life-Bestowing Garden’) is located in the northeast part of the Red Fort complex.
At both ends of the canal within the fort stand white marble pavilions named the Sawan and Bhadon Pavilions, which are named after the Hindu months of Sawan and Bhadon.
In the center of the reservoir is the Zafar Mahal, a red sandstone structure built around 1842 by Bahadur Shah Zafar.
Smaller gardens, such as the Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden), once existed to the west of the main garden but were demolished during the construction of British barracks.
To the north, a road leads to an arched bridge that connects to the Salimgarh Fort.
Princes' quarter
To the north of the Hayat Bakhsh Bagh and the Shahi Burj lies the quarter of the imperial princes, which was once used by members of the Mughal royal family.
After the 1857 rebellion, much of this area was demolished by British forces. One of the palaces in this quarter was repurposed into a tea house for soldiers.
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