The largest of old Delhi's monuments is the Lal Qila, or the
Red Fort,
the thick red sandstone walls of which, bulging with turrets and bastions,
have withstood the vagaries of time, and nature. The Lal Qila rises above a
wide dry moat, in the northeast corner of the original city of
Shahjahanabad. Its walls extend upto 2-kms, and vary in height from 18 mts
on the river side to 33 mts on the city side.
Construction & Architectural Style
Mughal Emperor Shahjahan started the construction of the massive fort in
1638, and work was completed in 1648. The fort sports all the obvious
trappings, befitting a vital centre of Mughal government: halls of public
and private audience, domed and arched marble palaces, plush private
apartments, a mosque, and elaborately designed gardens. Even today, the fort
remains an impressive testimony to Mughal grandeur, despite being attacked
by the Persian Emperor Nadir Shah in 1739, and by the British soldiers,
during the War of Independence in 1857.
|
PRIME ATTRACTIONS OF
DELHI
- Diwan-i-Am
The Fort also houses the Diwan-i-Am or “the Hall of Public
Audiences”, where the Emperor would sit and hear complaints of
the common folk. His alcove in the wall was marble-panelled, and was
set with precious stones, many of which were looted, after the
Mutiny of 1857.
- Diwan-i-Khas
The Diwan-i-Khas is “the Hall of Private Audiences”,
where the Emperor held private meetings. This hall is made of
marble, and its centre-piece used to be the “Peacock Throne”,
which was carried away to Iran by Nadir Shah in 1739. Today, the
Diwan-i-Khas is only a pale shadow of its original glory, yet the
famous Persian couplet inscribed on its wall reminds us of its
former magnificence: "If on earth be an eden on bliss, it is
this, it is this, none but this."
- Lahore Gate
Entrance to the fort is through the imposing Lahore Gate, which as
its name suggests faces Lahore, now in Pakistan. This gate has a
special significance for India, since the first war of independence,
and has been the venue of many an important speech, delivered by
freedom fighters and national leaders of India.
- Chatta Chowk
The main entrance opens on to the Chatta Chowk, a covered street
flanked with arched cells, that used to house Delhi's most skillful
jewellers, carpet makers, weavers and goldsmiths. This arcade was
also known as the Meena Bazaar, the shopping centre for the ladies
of the court.
- Naubat Khana
Just beyond the Chhata Chowk, is the heart of the fort called
Naubat Khana, or “the Drum House”. Musicians used to play
for the emperor from the Naubat Khana, and the arrival of princes
and royalty was heralded from here.
|
