The Red Fort (Lal Qila) in Delhi was commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and completed in 1648. It served as the main residence of the Mughal emperors for about 200 years, and today it is the place where India’s Prime Minister hoists the national flag every Independence Day. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2007).
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Builder | Emperor Shah Jahan |
| Architect | Ustad Ahmad Lahori (attributed) |
| Built | Work began in 1638-39; completed 1648 (sources give slightly different start dates) |
| Area | About 254 acres (103 hectares) |
| Walls | About 2.4 km long, 18 to 33 metres high |
| Material | Red sandstone, with marble inside |
| UNESCO | World Heritage Site since 2007 |
| Original name | Qila-i-Mubarak (the Blessed Fort) |
Why Shah Jahan built a new capital
Shah Jahan ruled from Agra at first, but in 1638 he decided to shift the capital to Delhi and build a new walled city, Shahjahanabad. At the heart of it he built a palace-fort on the banks of the Yamuna. The design is credited to Ustad Ahmad Lahori, who is also linked with the Taj Mahal. Construction took about ten years, and the emperor formally entered the fort in 1648.
Layout and architecture
The fort is built in red sandstone and has a roughly octagonal plan. Inside, the gardens, pavilions and canals were arranged in a symmetrical Mughal style, with water flowing through the palaces in a channel called the Nahr-i-Bahisht (Stream of Paradise). The architecture mixes Persian, Timurid and Indian traditions.
Main gates
- Lahori Gate: the main entrance, which leads to the covered bazaar Chhatta Chowk. The Prime Minister’s flag-hoisting happens above this gate.
- Delhi Gate: the southern gate for public use, guarded by two stone elephants.
Key buildings inside
- Diwan-i-Aam: the hall of public audience where the emperor met common people.
- Diwan-i-Khas: the hall of private audience, once home to the jewelled Peacock Throne.
- Rang Mahal and Mumtaz Mahal: palaces for royal women; the latter now houses a museum.
- Moti Masjid: a small marble mosque added later by Aurangzeb.
- Hammam and Shahi Burj: royal baths and a pavilion at the northern end.
Decline of the Mughals and invasion by Nadir Shah
After Aurangzeb, Mughal power weakened. In 1739 the Persian ruler Nadir Shah defeated the Mughal army, entered Delhi and plundered the fort, taking away treasures including the Peacock Throne. The invasion hurt the city and the empire badly, and the Mughal rulers never fully recovered their old strength.
1857 and the end of Mughal rule
During the Revolt of 1857, rebel soldiers gathered in Delhi and declared the aged Bahadur Shah Zafar their leader. After the British recaptured the city, Zafar was tried inside the fort and exiled to Rangoon in 1858. The British used the fort as a military garrison, demolished many of its interior structures and built barracks. A large share of the palace buildings was lost.
Red Fort in the freedom struggle and after
In 1945-46 officers of Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army were tried by the British in the fort. The trials caused huge public protest and strengthened support for independence. On 15 August 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru raised the Indian flag at the Lahori Gate, and every Prime Minister has followed this tradition since, with a speech to the nation from the ramparts.
In recent years the fort has been restored and has museums in the old barracks, covering subjects such as the 1857 revolt, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and Subhas Chandra Bose and the INA. The Archaeological Survey of India looks after the monument.
Visiting the Red Fort
- Where: Old Delhi, near the Lal Qila metro station (Violet Line) and Chandni Chowk.
- Timings and tickets: the fort is generally open in the daytime and is usually closed on Mondays. Ticket rates differ for Indians and foreigners and can be bought online. Please check the official ASI site or ticket portal before visiting (last checked October 2026; we could not confirm the latest rates or the evening show schedule).
- Security: expect airport-style checking at the gate. Large bags and some items may not be allowed.
- Around 15 August: the area is heavily restricted for the flag-hoisting rehearsals and ceremony, so avoid planning a visit then.
- Nearby: Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk’s food lanes and Raj Ghat are close by.
Red Fort timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1638-39 | Shah Jahan begins the new fort at Shahjahanabad |
| 1648 | Fort completed and the emperor enters it |
| 1739 | Nadir Shah plunders Delhi |
| 1857 | Revolt; British retake the fort and Bahadur Shah Zafar is tried |
| 1858 | Zafar exiled to Rangoon |
| 1945-46 | INA trials held in the fort |
| 15 August 1947 | Nehru hoists the Indian flag |
| 2007 | UNESCO World Heritage listing |
Chhatta Chowk and the fort bazaar
Just inside the Lahori Gate is Chhatta Chowk, a covered arcade that was once a market for the royal household, selling silks, jewellery and fine goods. It still has shops selling souvenirs, handicrafts and small gifts. Many visitors rush through it, but it is a rare surviving example of a Mughal-era covered market inside a fort. The Naubat Khana, or drum house, beyond it, is where musicians once played to announce the emperor’s presence and the arrival of important guests.
The Red Fort and the Prime Minister’s speech
Each Independence Day, the Prime Minister unfurls the tricolour at the Lahori Gate and speaks to the nation. It has become a major annual political event, with a salute, school students in the audience and nationwide television coverage. Because of this, the fort is under tight security on and around 15 August, and sometimes at other times, which can mean changes to visiting hours. Always confirm on the official ASI site before a trip.
Conclusion
The Red Fort tells the story of Delhi in one place: Mughal grandeur, invasion, rebellion, colonial control, and finally a free India. Take an hour to walk the grounds slowly, visit the museums, and you will see why it remains a national symbol.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who built the Red Fort?
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned it, and Ustad Ahmad Lahori is credited as the architect.
When was the Red Fort built?
Construction began around 1638-39 and was completed in 1648.
Why is it called the Red Fort?
The name comes from the red sandstone used in its massive walls.
Who hoists the flag at the Red Fort?
India’s Prime Minister raises the national flag there every 15 August.
Is the Red Fort a UNESCO site?
Yes, the Red Fort Complex was listed in 2007.
