Red Fort (Lal Qila)

About Red Fort
Shah Jahan, famed not only for his leadership capabilities but also for his great architectural accomplishments, was one of the greatest rulers of the Mughal Dynasty in India. In 1638 when the emperor moved the capital of India from Agra to Delhi, a new royal palace was constructed. Known as the Red Fort (Lal Qila), it was begun around 1640 and completed by 1648.

Architecture of Red Fort
The name comes from the massive red sandstone walls, some up to 110 feet high, which surround this magnificent piece of Mughal architecture. The palace is made of white marble and decorated in gold and precious stones. Shah Jahan's throne lay in the middle of the palace, and on the ceiling above was written in gold lettering "If there is a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this." The Red Fort is one of the most magnificent palaces in the world. India's history is also closely linked with Red Fort

Attractions within the Red Fort
The Red Fort served as the center of the Mughal Empire for more than 200 years. Lal Qila (Red Fort) is actually a series of individual pavilions, each with a specific purpose. The Khas Mahal served as the emperor's private quarters and was the most exquisitely decorated of all the pavilions.

The Diwan-i-khas in Red Fort was designed to reflect heaven and served as the private audience hall. All public audiences were held in the Diwan-i-am, and secret meetings took place in the Royal Tower, or Shah Burj.

On the north of the Diwan-i-Khas lies the bathroom set or Hammam, consisting of three apartments separated by corridors. The floors and dados of these apartments are built with marble, inlaid with floral patterns of multicoloured stones. The two rooms on either side of the present entrance were used.

To the west of the Hammam lies the small mosque, called the Moti-Masjid (Pearl Mosque), built by Aurangzeb for his personal use. The prayer-hall of the mosque is inlaid with outlines of 'Musallas' (small carpets for prayers) in black marble, and it stands at a higher level than the courtyard.