the red fort

This market is one of the most ancient markets in the country. This was set up as early as 17th century by the great Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan. The design of the market was given by his daughter, Jahan Ara. During the early days, these markets had canal separators which aggravated their beauty during moonlight, however, now these canals are not being operational. This is one of Indias biggest whole sale markets. This market is found right at the center of the walled city and runs from Lahore Gate to Fatehpuri Masjid. A canal was constructed during the early days during the middle of this area and was providing water to the surrounding areas.

Along the Netaji Subhash Marg, in front of Red fort, the Red Fort Metro station is coming up. Access to the star attractions of the city like Jama Masjid, Red fort in Delhi and Delhi Gate through the Kashmere Gate Metro Station will be easily accessed by the passengers who travel using the Violet line. Presently, the nearest station is the Chandni Chowk metro station.

Red Fort is the famous and largest historic monument in Delhi, the capital of India. Every citizen of India can witness the speech delivered by the Prime Minister from the ramparts of Red Fort every year on the day of Independence i.e. August on 15th. Red Fort attracts a number of visitors every year including the tourists as well the citizens of Delhi.

Visitors can enjoy the light and sound show in the evenings. This show describes the Mughal history and hence has the attraction of many visitors. Some of the major architectural features of Red Fort are in a mixed condition and all the water features around it are dried up. There are few buildings which are still in a fair condition as their decorative elements are left undisturbed. Some of the interiors of the Red Fort are in a bad state with the marble flowers being removed by looters. The mosques as well as the Hamam inside the buildings have been closed for the public visit. Visitors still manage to have a peek through the glass windows or the marble Jharokhas to know how they were built during the Mughal era.

One of the old and well known restaurants near Red Fort is the Tea House, though not in its same historic state, but still serves as a restaurant. The Lahore gate has an entrance which leads to a small shopping area with jewellery and craft stores. The museum has various blood paintings which depict the stories of the young and 20th century Indian martyrs.

Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, started construction of the massive fort in 1638 and work was completed in 1648 10 years.The Red Fort was originally referred to as Qila i Mubarak the blessed fort, because it was the residence of the royal family. The layout of the Red Fort was organised to retain and integrate this site with the Salimgarh Fort. The fortress palace was an important focal point of the medieval city of Shahjahanabad. The planning and aesthetics of the Red Fort represent the zenith of Mughal creativity which prevailed during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. This Fort has had many developments added on after its construction by Emperor Shahjahan. The significant phases of development were under Aurangzeb and later Mughal rulers. Important physical changes were carried out in the overall settings of the site after the Indian Mutiny in 1857. After Independence, the site experienced a few changes in terms of addition/alteration to the structures. During the British period the Fort was mainly used as a cantonment and even after Independence, a significant part of the Fort remained under the control of the Indian Army until the year 2003. The Red Fort is an attraction for tourists from around the world.

A gate inside Red Fort complex.The main architects of this monument were Ustad Ahmad and Ustad Hamid. During the times of Mughal, it was called Qila i Mubarak the blessed fort.

On 7 October,1858 With the end of the Mughal reign, the British gave official sanctions to remove and sell valuables from the palace at the Red Fort. In 1863, British destroyed many buildings inside and outside the fort, filled up the gardens, stripped the fort of any valuable items and reduced the fort to just a military structure.