Monument – Red Fort, Delhi
Built by – Islam Shah Suri
Built in – 1639

The Red Fort was built as the palace fort of Shahjahanabad – the new capital of the fifth Mughal Emperor of India, Shah Jahan. Constructed in 1639, when Shah Jahan’s capital city was moved from Agra to Delhi, the Red fort was designed as a defensive structure.

Built on the banks of river Yamuna, the fortress-palace was designed by architect Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. It took eight years and ten months to construct the magnificent fort. The fort served as the royal residence of the Mughal emperors from 1648 to 1857.

The Red Fort derives its name from the red-sandstone walls, which make the fort almost impregnable. The walls of the Red Fort are an imposing sight, rising to 33 metres in places, with ornate carvings, domes and minarets. The fort, which is located in Old Delhi, is one of the massive and prominent structures of India and is a fine example of Mughal architecture.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Red Fort is often considered the pinnacle of Mughal creativity. In modern times, the fort is important to the people of India as the Indian Prime Minister delivers his Independence Day speech from the fort every year on August 15.

Photo Courtesy – JustDial