Red fort popularly known as ‘Lal Kila’ is an icon of Indian independence. It was only at this place that India’s independence from the colonial British rule was declared, it was at very this Red Fort of Delhi where billions of world’s citizens saw the dehoisting of the Union Jack and thereby it vanished in past as the symbol of foreign rule in India. In the early hours of 15th August 1947 Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the Indian National Flag – ‘Tiranga’ having Saffron, White and Green stripes and declared to the world that India has decided to be it’s own master and we are an Independent Sovereign nation.
The Red Fort was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the year 1639. The raw material constructing this picturesque building was brought from the stone quarries of Bharatpur and Karauli in Rajasthan. This was at the time the chief administrative building during the Mughal rule in India. Some parts of the building were lived by the Emperor’s family, this was in a way office – um residence to the First family. Beautiful lush green gardens constructed in both Hindu and Persian style kept the palace scented. Peacocks, deer, cuckoos and ducks, all adorned the glistening fresh water ponds. The inner apartments are constructed with red sandstone and marble. Exquisite carving on marble can be seen simply to have a feeling of how devoted and passionate were people towards their work in that time. The buildings like Deewan- e- am ; the hall of public audience, the Deewan –e – khaas, the chamber of private audiences were all at that time were decorated with beautiful woollen and silk carpets, fine cut crystal chandeliers, beautiful jade vases containing the fresh lotus and lilies. This was the palace the Indian crown. Situated on the banks of river Yamuna this is one of the most place in Delhi and India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site also. The Director General of Archaeological Survey Of India has done great efforts in maintaining this precious jewel of Architecture. The monument is open to the visitors from 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM except on Mondays. If you are in Delhi, any taxi driver, rickshaw puller , pedestrian or the elite Delhi citizens plying in BMW’s and Audi’s, they all can tell you the road map to the Red Fort.
