Red Fort Delhi Trip

Location :
On Netaji Subhash Marg, near Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi

About the Red Fort :

One of the most spectacular pieces of Mughal Architecture is the Lal Quila or the Red Fort, whose thick red sandstone walls, bulging with turrets and bastions, have withstood the vagaries of time and nature.Built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648, the Red Fort has walls extending up to 2 kms. in length with the height varying from 18 mts. on the river side to 33 mts. on the city side. The fort lies along the Yamuna River.

Shahjahan, started the construction of this massive fort in 1638, when he shifted the capital from Agra to Delhi. The fort was completed along with the huge city of Shajahanabad after nine years on 16th April 1648.

Architechture of the Red Fort :

Lahore Gate, or Delhi Gate is the main entrance to the Red Fort is through this imposing gateway flanked by semi-octagonal towers. The gate is named thus because it faces West, towards Lahore in Pakistan.

Chatta Chowk, also known as Meena Bazaar, this was one of the first covered bazaars of the 17th century, that used to house Delhi's most skilful jewellers, carpet makers, weavers and goldsmiths.

Diwan-i-Aam the Hall of Public Audiences, where the Emperor would sit and hear complaints of the common folk.

Diwan-i-Khas is the hall of private audiences, where the Emperor held private meetings.

Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque, built by Aurangzeb for his personal use.

Rang Mahal or the 'Palace of Colors' housed the Emperor's wives and mistresses.

Naubat or Naqqar Khana, is situated at the entrance of the palace area. Here music was played five times a day at the appointed hours. It housed a gate known as 'Hathi Pol' (Elephant Gate), where visitors dismounted from their elephants.

Mumtaz Mahal, one of the original six main-palaces situated along the river front, Mumtaz Mahal was also known as 'Chhoti Baithak'. A beautiful water channel called 'Nahr-i-Bihisht' (meaning Stream of Paradise) flew through these palaces. However, this palace has been removed, probably because it was totally in ruins.

Moti Masjid, the personal mosque of Aurungzeb, Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque lies to the west of Hamam. Situated on a higher level than courtyards, the prayer-hall of the mosque has inlaid black-marble outlines of 'musallas' (small carpets for prayers) and is surmounted by three bulbous domes.

Climate :

During the summers the average maximum temperature is 40°C and minimum temperature is 25ºC. The monsoon arrives the city in early July and continues till the end of September.

The temperature in winters varies between 21°C to 5°C. January is the coldest month when the temerature drops to a minimum of 0 °C.

Best Season :

For Sightseeing, the best season to visit Delhi is between October to March. Summers in Delhi are very hot and it is not recommended to visit it during May, June or July.

How to Reach :

Air : All the major National and International Air Lines have their flights operating from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Rail : The Indian Railway with their modern and organised network connects Delhi to all major and minor destinations in India. There are three important Railway Stations in Delhi namely New Delhi Rly. Station, Old Delhi Rly. Station and Hazarat Nizamuddin Rly. Station.
Road : Delhi is well connected by road to all major destinations in North India. The Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) is located at Kashmiri Gate, Sarai Kale-Khan and Anand Vihar. Delhi Transport Corporation and Road Transport Corporations of the neighboring States provide frequent bus services through Air Conditioned, Deluxe and Ordinary Coaches. Buses from all the major places in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are available for getting to Delhi.