Red Fort: World Heritage Series

This guidebook is a part of the World Heritage Series published by the Archaeological Survey of India with the aim of introducing the visitor to UNESCO World Heritage Monuments in India.

Extensive historical research and a focus on architectural details make this book an invaluable companion for anyone wishing to explore o the Mughal emperor Shad Shah Jahan’s palace in Delhi.

Red Fort or Lal-Qila represents the pinnacle of Mughal place-fort architecture, a process initiated by Babur, the first Mughal emperor, and brought to a stunning refinement by Shah Jahan with a splendid fusion of traditions; Islamic, Persian, Timurid and Hindu.

The guide also includes brief sections on Shahjahanabad, the grand Jami-Masjid, the adjoining Salimgarh Fort and the museums within the two forts.

Specially-commissioned photographs, architectural drawings and easy-to-follow maps make the book a visual delight.

General Information
Introduction
Red Fort
Salimgarh Fort
Museums
Jami-Masjid
Glossary

Red Fort is one of the most magnificent fort- palaces in India. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, it served as the citadel of Shahjahanabad — the capital of the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan. It derives its name from the massive red sandstone walls.

The fort consists of several palaces — significantly, Diwan-i-Am, Mumtaz-Mahal, Rang-Mahal, Khas-Mahal and Diwan-i- Khas — set amidst sprawling gardens.

The Red Fort stands testimony to Mughal architectural excellence, which reached its zenith under Shah Jahan. Although based on Islamic guidelines, the plan reveals a fusion of Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions. The Red Fort’s innovative planning and architectural style strongly influenced later structures in Rajasthan, Agra and other places.

The fort has undergone numerous alterations after its original construction, especially under Aurangzeb and later Mughal rulers. It underwent a sea of change during the Uprising of 1857, and the subsequent British occupation. After Independence, the Indian Army continued to be stationed in the complex till 2004. Thereafter, the entire fort has come under the supervision and conservation efforts of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Today, the Mughal and British structures stand together in perfect symphony — a culmination of two distinct phases of Indian history.