When was the Red Fort built and who designed it?
Construction of the Red Fort began on the 13th of May 1638 and was completed by the 6th of April 1648. The project was entrusted to Ustad Ahmad Lahori, the same architect who designed the Taj Mahal.
Questions about Red Fort
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is the history of the Red Fort after the 1739 invasion?
Following the 1739 invasion by Persian emperor Nadir Shah, the Red Fort was plundered and the Mughal Empire was severely weakened. The Marathas later stripped the silver ceiling of the Diwan-i-Khas to fund defenses against Ahmed Shah Durrani.
How much of the Red Fort was destroyed during the British occupation?
British authorities ordered the systematic demolition of 80% of the fort's structures after the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Only the marble buildings on the east side of the imperial enclosure escaped complete destruction.
When did the Red Fort become a symbol of Indian independence?
On the 15th of August 1947, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru raised the Indian national flag above the Lahore Gate. Since then, the Prime Minister has raised the national tricolour at the main gate each year on Independence Day.
What are the dimensions and architectural features of the Red Fort?
The Red Fort spans 254.67 acres and is enclosed by 2.41 kilometres of defensive walls that vary in height from 18 meters to 33 meters. The fort is octagonal with marble floral decorations and double domes that integrate Persian, European, and Indian artistic traditions.
What modern challenges has the Red Fort faced in the 21st century?
Environmental pollution has turned the Red Fort's color from red to black with tarry black crusts forming on the walls. The fort also experienced a terrorist attack on the 22nd of December 2000 and was breached during the 2021 Indian farmers' Republic Day protest.