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Photo: PerSona77, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
One of Delhi's top tourist sights and listed as a . A brilliant red sandstone fort was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (who also built the Taj Mahal) as his ruling palace. Completed in 1648, the years since have not treated the buildings kindly: the rooms have long since been stripped of all objects, the marble inlays are long gone and quite a few buildings are off-limits. Still, the scale remains imposing and the gardens are kept lush and green even in midwinter.
The Red Fort is a historic Mughal fort located in the Old Delhi area of Delhi, India. Serving as the main residence of the Mughal emperors, it was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan on the 12th of May 1639; the fort was constructed following his decision to shift the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Originally adorned in red and white, the fort's design is attributed to Ustad Ahmad Lahori, the architect of the Taj Mahal. The Red Fort is a prominent example of Mughal architecture from Shah Jahan's reign, combining Persian and Indian architectural styles.
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Covered Bazaar
True to the name, this is a covered bazaar between the gate and the fort itself, now filled with souvenir hawkers.
Hall of Public Audience
This building separates the outer court from the inner court and has a marble platform for the emperor's throne.
Pearl Mosque
Colour Palace
The residence of the emperor's main wife.
Life-Bestowing Garden
Once a grand garden full of fountains and streams, now sadly all dry, only dry channels and acres of green grass remain. Near here will you find the Sawan Pavilion.
Private Palace
The emperor's main residence. The octagonal Mussaman Burj tower looks out toward the Yamuna River and is where the Emperor used to appear before the public each morning.