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The Red Fort (also known as Lal Qila) in Delhi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Red Fort is now a powerful symbol of India's sovereignty: the Prime Minister of India raises the flag of India on the ramparts of the Lahori Gate of the fort complex every year on Independence Day. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
This fort is located on the eastern edge of Shahjahanabad. It is so called as there is a huge wall of sandstone on all the four sides.
The length of this wall is 2.5 kilometers and the height towards the city is 33 meters and towards the river is 16 meters.
There is a very high level of ornamental work and art form in this fort.
The work of this fort is a blend of Indian, European and Persian art.
The Shahjahani style which has resulted has a very rich color, expression and form. The fort exudes power and architectural brilliance.
The Red Fort is a 17th century fort complex.
Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, started construction of the massive fort in 1638 and work was completed in 1648 (10 years). The Red Fort was originally referred to as "Qila-i-Mubarak" (the blessed fort), because it was the residence of the royal family.
Architectural design
 Red Fort showcases the very high level of art form and ornamental work. The art work in the Fort is a synthesis of Persian, European and Indian art which resulted in the development of unique Shahjahani style which is very rich in form, expression and colour. Red Fort is relevant as a symbol of architectural brilliance and power. Even before its notification as a monument of national importance in the year 1913, efforts were made to preserve and conserve the Red Fort, for posterity.
Diwan-i-Aam
Beyond this gate is another, larger open space, which originally served as the courtyard of the Diwan-i-Aam, the large pavilion for public imperial audiences with an ornate throne-balcony (jharokha) for the emperor. The columns were painted in gold and there was a gold and silver railing separating the throne from the public.
Diwan-i-Khas
The Diwan-i-Khas is a pavilion clad completely in marble, the pillars are decorated with floral carvings and inlay work with many semi-precious stones. it was made only for public meetings.
Nahr-i-Behisht
The imperial private apartments lie behind the throne. The apartments consist of a row of pavilions that sits on a raised platform along the eastern edge of the fort, looking out onto the river Yamuna. The pavilions are connected by a continuous water channel, known as the Nahr-i-Behisht, or the "Stream of Paradise", that runs through the centre of each pavilion. The water is drawn from the river Yamuna, from a tower, the Shah Burj, at the north-eastern corner of the fort. The palace is designed as an imitation of paradise as it is described in the Koran; a couplet repeatedly inscribed in the palace reads, "If there be a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here". The planning of the palace is based on Islamic prototypes, but each pavilion reveals in its architectural elements the Hindu influences typical of Mughal building. The palace complex of the Red Fort is counted among the best examples of the Mughal style.
Moti Masjid
To the west of the hammam is the Moti Masjid, the Pearl Mosque. This was a later addition, built in 1659 as a private mosque for Aurangzeb, Shah Jahan's successor. It is a small, three-domed mosque carved in white marble, with a three-arched screen which steps down to the courtyard.
Naubat or Naqqar Khana
The Naubat or Naqqar-Khana (‘drum house’) stands at the entrance of the palace area, and was used for playing music five times a day at propitious hours. It was also called Hathipol, as visitors dismounted from their elephants here. Faced with red stone, it is a large three-storeyed building, rectangular on plan. Carved designs on its red stone walls appear to have been originally painted with gold, while the interior was painted in other colours. Several layers of these paintings can be traced even now in the entrance chamber.
The War Memorial Museum is presently housed in the first storey of Naqqar Khana, Red Fort
Red Fort Today
Today, a sound and light show describing Mughal history is a tourist attraction in the evenings. The Red Fort is one of the most popular tourist destinations. It also happens to be the largest monument in Old Delhi.
The entrance through the Lahore Gate leads to a retail mall with jewellery and crafts stores. There is a museum of "blood paintings" depicting young Indian martyrs of the 20th century along with the story of their martyrdom. There is also an archaeological museum and an Indian war memorial museum.
Source: Wikipedia
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