Red Fort
Built in 1638-48 by emperor Shah Jahan, the city of Shahjahanabad was the immodest embodiment of the opulence and success of the Mughal empire. No cost was spared in building this great walled city and especially the Red Fort, in which would reside the Emperor of Hindustan. Marble and sandstone were lavishly used and embellished with stone inlay decorations strongly influenced by the West. The ceilings of the Harem were made of silver and a stream of water flowed through the entire grounds, imitating the great river Yamuna that flowed by its east side. It was at the time the biggest and grandest city in India, a jewel of the subcontinent as famous as the glittering Koh-i-Noor diamond. Read more»
Download a Guide
The Red Fort is a World Heritage site and easily the most popular heritage attraction in Delhi, being visited by over one million visitors each year! A local guide will cost you Rs. 150 or more but you can download a Go!Places guide for just Rs. 90 and enjoy the monument at leisure!
Complete guide to the Red Fort, UNESCO World Heritage site | Colour photos and info blurbs in a comic-style layout | Includes 3D map, walkthrough and bibliography | 18 page PDF download
Price: $1.99
MP3 audio tour with map of the site | Downloads as a 25mb ZIP file | 13 tracks totalling 25 mins of audio with background music and sound effects | Easily played on iPods, MP3 players, mobile phones
Price: $1.99
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Rise and Fall of the Red Fort
But, even as it represented the best of times, the fort also witnessed the worst of times as successive rulers lay wasted by indulgence and debauchery. In the later Mughal period the grand city fell prey to frequent attacks by looters and rivals, some of whom even infiltrated the palaces and carried away the riches within including the legendary Peacock Throne made of gold and encrusted with precious stones.
The 1857 Uprising
The Fort had its second lease of life during an important revolt of Indian soldiers against the officers of the British East India Company in 1857. The soldiers rallied under the banner of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal king, and for a brief period the degraded and powerless throne once again became significant in the nation’s history. The revolt ended in defeat but the fort regained its importance as a military centre, which significance continues till this day as it is partly occupied by the Indian Army. Every year the Indian flag is hoisted here on Independence Day.
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