City Landmark – Red Fort, Old Delhi Monuments by The Delhi Walla - March 31, 2010May 23, 20102 The necessary ruin. [Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi] There is nothing inside the imposing ramparts of Red Fort, or Lal Quila, except a few gardens, a couple of crumbling halls, and two museums with spotty paintings and antique knives. Spread within 2.4 kms, its tour is exhausting and occasionally frustrating –some pavallions are barricaded, some are locked and some later structures are downright ugly. A bazaar inside the principal entrance – Lahori Gate – is a cheap tourist trap selling hippie necklaces and Taj Mahal keepsakes. Why then is the Red Fort necessary? Noisy and touristy, it was the imperial court of the Mughals. Built in the 17th century by emperor Shah Jahan after he moved his capital from Agra to Delhi, the fort was where the Mughals lived out the rest of their dynasty. The best of Mughal culture – poetry, music and cuisine – was created here. This complex had the wealth of the world. There were the chandeliers, the diamonds, the gold-painted walls, the gold-plated railings, the heavy curtains and the legendary peacock throne. All that has gone. Persia’s Nadir Shah took the peacock throne.The locals stole the gold and silver from the ceilings. The rest was destroyed by the vengeful British, after they replaced Mughals as India’s rulers. The beautiful pavilions were demolished and military garrisons were built. Following independence, the Indians, strangely, showed more interest in the British barracks than the Mughal ruins. Wall motifs faded, stone jaalis broke. A canal that carried water through the halls to help the royals survive the Delhi heat went dry. Yet you must wander in this desolation. There are very few monuments like Red Fort that encapsulate the essence of an entire historic timeline within their walls. Edward Gibbon sat amid the Roman ruins and was inspired to write his majestic The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Who knows what Red Fort may make you do. Where Opposite Chandni Chowk nearest Metro Stop Chandni Chowk The Red Fort moment A crowd-puller Where the emperor sat Arched appeal School project The canal is dry Lost splendour Glimpses of beauty Lost in the complex Once it was living The locked mosque The British contribution Exhausted Sleep well Happy family Looks familiar? Bird’s view View from the local train McFort The Red Fort people FacebookX Related Related posts: City Monument – Rang Mahal, Red Fort City Monument – Restoring Red Fort, Old Delhi City List – Surviving Landmarks, Red Fort City Landmark – Siri Fort Auditorium, South Delhi City Walk – Red Fort’s Backside, Ring Road
Very informative Mayank. Its a great place to visit. Each time I visit Red Fort and when I return I always turn back and keep watching it till it goes out of my sight. Ten Reasons to go to RedFort:-1. Feel patriotic going about Red Fort. Its good to tell others that you visited Red Fort. They will appreciate it especially foreigners.2. Go back to "Regression" and see if you can relate to any Mughal Badshah. Who stops you to dream anyways?3. Get freindly with Foreigners. They will like it. Seeing the world coming to visit Red Fort will make you proud.4. The sound and light show describing Mughal history is simply mind blowing.5. Talk to the walls and monuments, they will respond you.6. Dont u really want to visit the Largest Monument of India? Come on, talk about it.7. Dont you want to see the place where your favourite bollywood blockbusters were shot? e.g Fanna, Lakhsya, Delhi 6 etc.8. Go and get red and fortified at Red-Fort.9. Its not just Red but Red Hot in summer..go and catch some glimpses and feel it.10. Its open from Sunshine to Sunset so choose your favourite time and get set go!