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Red Fort: the story on HearLore | HearLore
Red Fort
On the 12th of May 1639, Emperor Shah Jahan made a decision that would alter the geography of power in India, ordering the construction of a fortress that would become the heart of the Mughal Empire. This was not merely a defensive structure but a statement of imperial grandeur, commissioned to replace Agra as the capital city. The project was entrusted to Ustad Ahmad Lahori, the same visionary architect who would later design the Taj Mahal, ensuring that the Red Fort would embody the zenith of Mughal creativity. Construction began in the sacred Islamic month of Muharram on the 13th of May 1638, and despite the immense scale of the undertaking, the fort was completed by the 6th of April 1648. The fort straddles the Yamuna River, which once fed the moats surrounding most of the walls, creating a natural barrier that enhanced its defensive capabilities. Unlike other Mughal forts, the Red Fort's boundary walls are asymmetrical to contain and subsume the older Salimgarh Fort, a decision that speaks to the pragmatic yet ambitious nature of Shah Jahan's urban planning. The fort was originally adorned in red and white, a color scheme that gave it its enduring name, derived from the Hindustani term Lal Qila, meaning Red Fort. The term Qila comes from Arabic, meaning fortress, while Lal means red in Hindi. Originally known as the Blessed Fort, or Qila-i-Mubarak, it served as the residence of the imperial family, a place where the emperor could live in proximity to the Yamuna River, which was considered sacred and essential for the palace's water features.
The Plunder of Nadir Shah
In 1739, the Persian emperor Nadir Shah decisively defeated the Mughal army, despite its considerable strength of approximately 200,000 soldiers, and the Red Fort was left to the mercy of the victor. Following his victory, Nadir Shah plundered the Red Fort, seizing its treasures, including the legendary Peacock Throne, which was said to be adorned with the Kohinoor diamond and other precious stones. The invasion left the city significantly damaged, and the Mughal Empire, under the next Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah's reign, was severely weakened. The internal weaknesses of the Mughal Empire reduced the Mughals to titular rulers of Delhi, and the fort, once a symbol of imperial power, became a mere shell of its former self. The Marathas, who had been appointed as protectors of the throne in Delhi following a treaty signed in 1752, would later strip and melt the silver ceiling of the Diwan-i-Khas to raise funds for the defence of Delhi from the armies of Ahmed Shah Durrani. The fort's decline was not just a matter of physical destruction but also a psychological blow to the Mughal dynasty, which had once ruled a vast and prosperous empire. The fort's walls, once a symbol of strength, now stood as a testament to the fragility of power in the face of external aggression and internal decay.
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.
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.
Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, British authorities ordered the systematic demolition of the Red Fort, during which 80% of the fort's structures were demolished, including the stone screen that once connected the pavilions along the river-facing façade of the fort. All the fort's furniture was either removed or destroyed; the harem apartments, servants' quarters, and gardens were demolished, and a line of stone barracks was erected atop them. Only the marble buildings on the east side of the imperial enclosure escaped complete destruction, although they were damaged while demolition was underway. While the defensive walls and towers were relatively unscathed, over two-thirds of the inner structures were demolished. The British turned the fort into a military garrison, stripping it of its cultural and historical significance. Lord Curzon, who served as the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905, initiated restoration efforts for the Red Fort, including the reconstruction of its walls and the revival of its gardens, complete with an updated watering system. However, the damage done during the rebellion and the subsequent British occupation left an indelible mark on the fort's history, transforming it from a symbol of Mughal power to a symbol of colonial subjugation.
The Flag and the People
On the 15th of August 1947, the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, raised the Indian national flag above the Lahore Gate, marking the beginning of a new era for the Red Fort. Since then, the Prime Minister of India has ceremonially raised the national tricolour at the main gate each year on Independence Day, then delivering a nationally broadcast address from its ramparts. The fort, once a symbol of imperial power, had become a symbol of national sovereignty, a place where the voice of the people was heard by the nation. The fort also became the site of the INA trials, also known as the Red Fort Trials, which refer to the court-martial of a number of officers of the Indian National Army. The first trial was conducted at the Red Fort between November and December 1945, and the fort's history was once again intertwined with the struggle for independence. The fort's transformation from a Mughal palace to a symbol of Indian independence was a testament to its enduring significance, a place where the past and the present collided in a dance of history and memory.
The Architecture of Power
The Red Fort spans an area of 254.67 acres and is enclosed by 2.41 kilometres of defensive walls, which vary in height from 18 meters on the river-facing side to 33 meters on the city-facing side. The fort is octagonal, with the north, south axis longer than the east, west axis, a design that reflects the asymmetrical nature of the fort's boundary walls. The marble, floral decorations and the fort's double domes exemplify later Mughal architecture, showcasing a high level of ornamentation that integrates Persian, European, and Indian artistic traditions. The Diwan-i-Khas, or Hall of Private Audience, is a space dedicated to addressing the official matters and requests of the nobility and members of the royal family, constructed of white marble and inlaid with precious stones. The once-silver ceiling has been restored in wood, and the hall features an inscription by the Persian poet Amir Khusrow at both ends of the hall, over the two outer arches. The fort's architecture is a testament to the Mughal Empire's ability to synthesize Islamic palace structure with local traditions, resulting in a confluence of Persian and Timurid architecture that has inspired later buildings and gardens across the Indian subcontinent.
The Fort's Modern Struggles
In the 21st century, the Red Fort has faced new challenges, from environmental pollution to political controversy. Since the late 20th century, the monument has been affected by environmental pollution which has turned the Red Fort's color from red to black, with repeated events of air pollution contributing to the formation of tarry black crusts forming on the Red Fort's walls. In April 2018, the Dalmia Group adopted the Red Fort for maintenance, development, and operations under the government's Adopt A Heritage scheme, through a contract worth ₹25 crores for a period of five years. The adoption of the Red Fort by a private entity sparked outcry and widespread debate, drawing criticism from the public, historians, and political parties. The fort also became the site of a terrorist attack on the 22nd of December 2000, carried out by six Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives, and in 2021, during the 2021 Indian farmers' Republic Day protest, a coterie of protesting farmers breached the fort, hoisted religious flags from its ramparts, and scaled the domes of the fort. These events highlight the fort's continued relevance in the modern world, a place where history, politics, and culture collide in a complex and often contentious dance.