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Red Fort or 'Lal Quila' is the largest monument in
Delhi that is recognized, even from afar, by its thick
red sandstone walls. A closer look at the Red Fort will
make you realize the validity of the statement that
Mughal architecture reached its culmination with the
construction of the Red Fort. The building of this monument
cuts across many centuries and the process of its construction
was carried on under different architects. This explains
the eclectic feel that the Red Fort exudes. The only
unifying element in the entire structure is the red
sandstone from which this fortress derives its name.
Initially the Red Fort was conceived as a fortress.
However, during the reign of Shah Jahan, it underwent
permutation and a part of it came to be used as a palace
by Shah Jahan. The Red Fort, rising above a wide dry
moat is located on the north-east corner of the original
city of Shahjanabad. The walls of the Red Fort extend
upto two kilometers. The fort is complete with all the
trappings that befit the center of Mughal government.
They include separate halls meant for private and public
audience, domed and arched marble palaces, lavish private
apartments, a mosque and wonderfully designed gardens.
The outer walls of the Red Fort that were built during
Akbar's time are penetrated by two gates, Amar Singh
and the Delhi Gate. Both these gates sport a monumental
facade and are flanked by twin towers.
The Red Fort houses the Diwan-i-Am and the Diwan-i-Khas.
They are public and the private halls respectively.
In the Diwan-i-Am, the Emperor used to give audience
to the grievances of the common folk. Diwan-i-Khas served
as the venue where the king used to hold private meetings.
This hall was one graced by the famous Peacock Throne
that was carried away by Nadir Shah as a part of his
loot. The other attractions within Red Fort include
the Royal Baths, Shahi Burj, Moti Masjid and Rang Mahal.
TourofTajMahal.com is an international travel site and
a repository of useful information on Red Fort and on
other related information on Taj Mahal and other historic
monuments in India.
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