Lal Qila is the Hindi name (meaning ‘Red Fortress’) for Delhi’s majestic Red Fort; one of its most magnificent and popular attractions in Delhi Tour packages. Whilst some tourists see Delhi as a gateway to much of northern India, it is home to so much more than that and is packed with hugely impressive buildings and a rich, fascinating history that stitches the past to the present, like a colourful tapestry.
Red Fort is a Mughal fort, located in Old Delhi and was once the main residence of the Mughal emperors until 1857, when the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, was driven away from the fort and exiled to Burma. It was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan (who also commissioned the Taj Mahal) in 1639, when he decided to move the capital from Agra to Delhi, and it took nine years to build. It was originally adorned in red and white and combines both Persian and Indian architectural styles. Red Fort’s fascinating history, grandeur and prime location in the heart of Delhi, ensures that this fort is particularly captivating.
On the 15th August 1947, following the tumultuous events of Partition, Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, hoisted the Indian flag over the Lahori Gate, which is the main entrance to the Red Fort. Every subsequent year, on Independence Day, the Prime Minister of India raises the flag and broadcasts it to the nation. Red Fort was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
Red Fort has suffered looting, plundering and demolition over the centuries and Lord Curzon, the Viceroy to India from 1899 to 1905, initiated restoration efforts. Following Independence, the Fort continued to be used as a military base and much remained under the control of the Indian Army until 2003 and major revitalisation began after 2009. In recent years, museums and galleries have been added to this huge complex. There is also a shopping complex, selling jewellery and crafts, restaurants and rest rooms.
The main tourist season in India tends to be October to March and the Red Fort remains busy during these peak months. If you are visiting during this time, ensure you get there as it opens at 9.30am to avoid the bigger crowds that build throughout the day. Please note that the fort is closed all day on Monday. Closing time is at 4.30pm. During April and May (pre-monsoon), the fort is quieter but temperatures can get very high (40 °C and above) and can make sightseeing quite uncomfortable. June to September are the monsoon season months and visiting during these times can be tricky too, as many parts of the fort are open to the elements.
You will need to set aside at least half a day to visit the main Delhi sightseeing attractions of the Red Fort and a full day if you have the stamina to explore the whole complex and have lunch there too. You could take a picnic or eat at the Cafe Deli Heights, inside the visitor centre. Also consider buying some street food from Chandni Chowk bazaar just before you go into the fort. Go to busy stalls where there is a high turnover of food (fried foods such as samosas are often a good choice as they are fried at high temperatures). Ensure you also take plenty of bottled water with you to remain hydrated, especially in hot and humid weather.
What are the must-sees in the Red Fort?
Red Fort is soaked in history, but it is huge, and you may need to focus on a few highlights or tour places in Delhi if you are time-limited or get history fatigue after a while!
- Lahore Gate – you will enter the fort via the west, through the Lahore Gate, facing Old Delhi. This iconic entrance is familiar to millions of Indians as it is featured on the 500 rupee bank note, as well as being the location for the annual Independence Day celebrations. You can still see the bullet marks on the gate from the First War of Independence in 1857, when Indian soldiers rose up against the British and led to the dissolution of the Mughal Empire. Sadly, after the war, the British destroyed two-thirds of the buildings.
- Chatta Chowk – from Lahore Gate, you will enter the bustling bazaar area, topped with impressive arches. This area used to be where the nobility bought beautiful silks and jewellery. It now sells touristy souvenirs. These can be quite pricey compared to some other areas of Delhi.
- Red Fort Centre – this centre houses the museums, set in European-style buildings – very different from the Mughal architecture of so much of the fort. Interesting photos, audiovisual displays, and films help bring the history of the Red Fort alive.
- Naubat Khana & Diwan-i-Am – musicians once played in this area to signify the entrance of the emperor, leading to gardens and the Hall of Public Audiences, where the emperor would listen to petitions from the public.
Temporary exhibitions are housed in the barracks area, so take a look and see what is on show when you visit.
- Khas Mahal & Rang Mahal – here are the private quarters of the Mughal rulers, including a marbled pavilion for the emperor and a separate pavilion for the ladies of the household. There is a truly stunning marble screen at the northern end of the palace, with the ‘Scales of Justice’ above it. Look out for the marble-lined channel known as the Nahr-i-Bihisht (Stream of Paradise), crossing the floor of these incredible palaces, which was once used to cool the air using water diverted from the Yamuna River.
- Diwan-i-Khas – To the north of the Khas Mahal is the Diwan-i-Khas, the Hall of Private Audiences, reserved for meetings between officials of state and the royal family. As this was the nobility-facing side of the royal compound, it is hugely ornate and lavishly decorated.
- Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) – don’t miss the royal hamman (bathhouse) and the Pearl Mosque.
- Zafar Mahal and Gardens – these gardens were once used by the emperor and his family to relax in. Over the centuries, they fell into disrepair by the British, yet there are still hints of their former elegance,
- Kranti Mandir – the line of barracks blocks have been converted into various museums. They feature the Indian perspective on British rule and, considering so many of the injustices that ensued, those perspectives are not always favourable.
- Salimgarh – by going over a pedestrian footbridge, you will reach Salimgarh, which was once an island.. It was built in 1546 by Salim Shah Suri and later used as a prison by Aurangzeb and the British. Today, you can explore a collection of barracks and prison buildings and get away from the crowds in the rest of the fort.
Whichever parts of the Red Fort you decide to see, you will be drenched in the history of this fascinating palace. It is an incredible place to just sit back and people watch – both locals and tourists, whilst imagining the splendour of bygone days at the height of the Mughal Empire. No visit to Delhi is complete without visiting this jewel in its crown.
The architectural vision of Shah Jahan in creating these magnificent edifices can not be underestimated. To have the foresight and imagination to create the Taj Mahal would be enough for most people, but not for this emperor! He also designed the Jama Masjid in Delhi (one of India’s largest mosques), Agra Fort, and many buildings in Lahore, Pakistan, amongst many others.
Walking around ancient forts and perusing museums can get tiring and you can definitely get cultural fatigue, when you stop taking in anything anyone is telling you and you just need some time out. Make sure you do this. Find a shady spot and just sit and people and buildings watch – drinking in the atmosphere, the sounds and the smells. In the words of the poet, W.H. Davies: “What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?”