Red Fort Complex, Delhi

Sights in and around the Red Fort

Lal Qila, the Red Fort of Delhi

Inscription Details

Structures in the Red Fort Complex

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The Red Fort Complex is one of the three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Delhi, India. Inscribed in 2007, it is the third World Heritage Site in the city. Locally known as Lal Qila, it was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan (the famous builder of the Taj Mahal) in 1639. The immense citadel took nine years to build, completed in 1648, and was used as the Mughal seat of power until 1857, when the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, was dethroned and exiled. The name Red Fort comes from the colour of its walls, which were built of red sandstone.

Within the massive Red Fort Complex are pavilions connected by water channels known as Nahr-i-Behisht, or streams of paradise. The Red Fort has six gates of which the main one is the Lahore Gate. It leads to the main thoroughfare of Chandri Chowk (also written as Chatta Chowk).

Location: N28 39 20 E77 14 27
Inscription Year: 2007
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: II, III, VI

The gardens inside Red Fort (18 November 2004)
© Timothy Tye

The exquisite Khas Mahal in Red Fort (18 November 2004)
© Timothy Tye

Tim at Lahore Gate, Lal Qila (18 November 2004)
© Timothy Tye

Diwan-i-Aam

Diwan-i-Khas

Indian War Museum

Khas Mahal

Lahore Gate

Moti Masjid

Mumtaz Mahal

Rang Mahal

Moti Masjid
This mosque is clad with white marble. Its name means "pearl mosque". It was added to the complex by Emperor Aurangzeb, son of Shah Jahan, in 1659.

Diwan-i-Khas
This is where the emperor meets his trusted nobles. The legendary Peacock Throne is housed here.

Khas Mahal
This is the imperial apartment housing the emperor's prayer room (Tasbih Khana), his sleeping chamber (Khwabgah) and sitting room (Baithak). The Khas Mahal overlooks the Yamuna River and is connected to a balcony where the emperor may appear before his subjects at sunrise.

Rang Mahal
Adjacent to the Khas Mahal, this chamber is exclusively for the palace womenfolk.

Diwan-i-Aam
This is the emperor's audience hall where he has daily audience with his subjects. It has 60 pillars and a low marble bench for the chief minister (wazir).

Hammams
These are the royal bath. It consists of three enclosures. The first provides hot vapour baths. The second sprayed rose-scented water through the sculpted fountains, and the third cold water.