RED FORT - DELHI

                THE RED FORT OF DELHI 

The Red Fort was the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years, until 1857. It is located in the centre of Delhi and houses a number of museums. In addition to accommodating the emperors and their households, it was the ceremonial and political centre of Mughal government and the setting for events critically impacting the region.

                           SHAH JAHAN

Constructed in 1648 by the fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the palace of his fortified capital Shahjahanabad, the Red Fort is named for its massive enclosing walls of red sandstone and is adjacent to the older Salimgarh Fort, built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546. The imperial apartments consist of a row of pavilions, connected by a water channel known as the Stream of Paradise (Nahr-i-Bihisht). The fort complex is considered to represent the zenith of Mughal creativity under Shah Jahan and although the palace was planned according to Islamic prototypes, each pavilion contains architectural elements typical of Mughal buildings that reflect a fusion of Timurid and Persian traditions. The Red Fort’s innovative architectural style, including its garden design, influenced later buildings and gardens in Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Kashmir, Braj, Rohilkhand and elsewhere. With the Salimgarh Fort, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 as part of the Red Fort Complex.

On Independence Day (15 August), the Prime Minister of India hoists the 'tricolor' national flag at the main gate of the fort and delivers a nationally-broadcast speech from its ramparts.

                     

MAP OF RED FORT

The Red Fort has an area of 254.67 acres (103.06 ha) enclosed by 2.41 kilometres (1.50 mi) of defensive walls, punctuated by turrets and bastions and varying in height from 18 metres (59 ft) on the river side to 33 metres (108 ft) on the city side. The fort is octagonal, with the north-south axis longer than the east-west axis. The marble, floral decorations and double domes in the fort's buildings exemplify later Mughal architecture.

It showcases a high level of ornamentation, and the Kohinoor diamond was reportedly part of the furnishings. The fort's artwork synthesises Persian, European and Indian art, resulting in a unique Shahjahani style rich in form, expression and colour. Red Fort is one of the building complexes of India encapsulating a long period of history and its arts. Even before its 1913 

commemoration as a monument of national importance, efforts were made to preserve it for posterity.

The Lahori and Delhi Gates were used by the public, and the Khizrabad Gate was for the emperor. The Lahore Gate is the main entrance, leading to a domed shopping area known as the Chatta Chowk (covered bazaar).

                     

                 Archaeological Museum

The Red Fort Archaeological Museum is currently located in the Mumtaz Mahal of the Red Fort in Delhi, northern India. The museum contains paintings, artifacts, calligraphy, fabrics and other objects dating from the Mughal era.

The objects are displayed thematically in six galleries belonging to the Mughal period.

The first few showcases have articles belonging to Emperor Akbar I and his successors which include miniature paintings, manuscripts, stone inscriptions, farman (royal orders) etc. One of the showcases has 17th century brass astrolabes which were used for astronomical calculations. The next gallery has porcelain, celadon and jade objects, textiles and glazed tiles. The most distinctive of the Mughal jade objects are the hilts of swords and daggers. Curtains, carpets, pillows, cushions and dresses are also on display.

                    

The Bahadur Shah Zafar gallery houses objects belonging to the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II and his queen such as dresses, powder horns, rose water sprinkler, toilet box, etc. Two specimens of calligraphy ghazal (poems) of Bahadur Shah II with his pen holder, inkpot and scissors can be seen. An ivory miniature painting believed to be of Zinat Mahal and a photograph of the last days of Bahadur Shah in the prison at Rangoon are also displayed.

                      

The arms used in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 by the then Nawab of Pataudi, arms used by Bahadur Shah and field glass used by Brigadier-General John Nicholson during the siege of Delhi are part of the collection. Portraits of the last Mughal rulers and contemporary personalities like court poet Mirza Ghalib, maps and lithographs depicting scenes of Delhi and Bahadur Shah's letter to Queen Victoria with the thumb impression of his son Mirza Jawan Bakht are some of the other pieces on display.

Many peoples thinks the fort is haunted.
what you think?
I think they are also called a ROYAL GHOSTS OF RED FORT.

Thanks you.