Delhi

Red Fort also called Lal Qilah was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 17th century. The construction was started in 1638 and it took 10 years to complete. This served as the royal residence of the Mughal Emperors. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Red Fort spreads over an area of 121.34 acres and has various structures inside such as Diwan i Aam, Diwan i Khas, Nahr i Behist, Moti Masjid, Hayat Bakhsh Bagh and Zenana. Diwan-i-Aam is the courtyard with a throne for the emperor and Diwan-i-Khas is the hall for private audience like courtiers and guests.

 

The royal apartments looking out onto the River Yamuna is called Nahr-i-Behisht and the water channel running through this is called the Stream of Paradise. Zenana is the place of women in the palace and it has various divisions like the Mumtaz Mahal and Rang Mahal. There is a museum now at the Mumtaz Mahal.

 

Moti Masjid was added to the complex during the reign of Aurangazeb in 1659. It is the pearl mosque with three domes. Hayat Bakhsh Bagh is the garden with channels of water and one of the pavilions here was built by Bahadur Shah Zafar in 1842.

 

A sound and light show is organized every evening that describes the life of the Mughals and their history.