Red Fort
New Delhi
The Red Fort, also known as Lal Qila is a historic Mughal fort located in the Old Delhi area of Delhi, India, previously serving as the primary residence of the Mughal emperors. Commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan on the 12th of May 1639, the fort was constructed following his decision to shift the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Originally adorned in red and white, the fort's design is attributed to Ustad Ahmad Lahori, the architect of the Taj Mahal. The Red Fort epitomizes the height of Mughal architecture during Shah Jahan's reign, blending Persian palace influences with indigenous Indian architectural elements.
The fort was plundered and stripped of its artwork and jewels during the invasion by Nadir Shah of the Afsharid Empire in 1739. Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, many of its marble structures were demolished by the British, although the defensive walls remained largely intact. The fort was later repurposed as a military garrison.
Photo: PerSona77 (CC BY-SA 3.0); Lessermortal (CC BY-SA 4.0); Ghulam Ali Khan (Public domain)
The fort was plundered and stripped of its artwork and jewels during the invasion by Nadir Shah of the Afsharid Empire in 1739. Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, many of its marble structures were demolished by the British, although the defensive walls remained largely intact. The fort was later repurposed as a military garrison.
Photo: PerSona77 (CC BY-SA 3.0); Lessermortal (CC BY-SA 4.0); Ghulam Ali Khan (Public domain)