Red Fort, Golden Triangle

On the right bank of the Yamuna River, within Old Delhi is the walled palace known as the Red Fort. It obtained its UNESCO status in 2007.

Commissioned by the 5th Mughal Emperor, Shahjahan (who also built the Taj Mahal) in 1639, the fort took nine years to complete. It became his main residence after he moved the capital from Agra to Old Delhi.

Built out of red sandstone, hence the name, the architectural style is a wonderful blend of Indian, Persian and Timuri (Turk-Mongol) elements. Historical records show that the fort was originally a combination of red and white. The outer wall was red and the buildings within were white, topped with bulbous domes. Sadly, in 1739, invaders looted the fort of its precious items and 120 years later most of its marble structures were demolished by the British.

The main entrance is via Lahori Gate and through a covered street market known as Chhatta Chowk. When the fort was built, the street market used to be very exclusive, catering to the needs of the imperial house with goods such as jewels, silk and brocade.

The trail leads to the first of several buildings within the complex, named Naubat Khana. Housing the archeological museum, its original purpose was to deliver legislative announcements and to play music several times a day. Walking through its central archway, the path leads to Diwan-i-Am, a multi-columned, multi-arched, audience hall that was used by the emperors to meet the public.

Continuing behind the hall, are three separate buildings beside each other, each with their own purpose. Straight ahead is Rang Mahal which functioned as the primary residence of the 5th emperor’s harem and as a mess hall during the British occupation. To the left is Khas Mahal, a white marble palace that was the emperor’s private residence and to the left of it is Diwan-i-Khas, his private audience hall.

The marble hall was covered with precious stones and silver was used on the ceiling. Inside used to be the peacock throne, made of gold and precious stones and topped with two decorative peacocks. It is said that it weighed over 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg) and cost twice as much as the Taj Mahal. Its value and extravagance weren’t lost on the invading Persians who in the 18th century conquered the Mughal empire and took the throne back to Persia.

The last significant building is the Moti Masjid, a mosque built in 1659 by the 6th Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb. The three bulbous domes were originally copper plated but have since been removed. Whilst the outside is austere, the interior is beautifully decorated with scalloped arches, marble relief and floral motifs.