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- Address: Netaji Subhash Marg, Old Delhi 110 006, India
- Hours: Tues - Sun, sunrise to sunset. Closed Mondays
- Admission: Rs 250. Sound & Light Show: Rs 50
Red Fort (Lal Qila)
The massive Red Fort (or Lal Qila) stands rather forlornly, a sandstone carcass of its former self. In ages past, when Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan paraded out of the fort atop an elephant into the streets of Old Delhi, he and the fort that he built were a grandiose display of pomp and power. The walls of the fort extend for 1.25 miles (2 kilometers) and vary in height from 60 ft (18 m) on the river side to 110 ft (33 m) on the city side. Shah Jahan began construction of the massive fort in 1638 and it was completed in 1648. Shah Jahan never completely moved his capital from Agra to his new city of Shahjahanabad in Delhi because he was deposed and imprisoned in Agra Fort by his sly son Aurangzeb.
The Red Fort dates from the very peak of Mughal power. Their reign from Delhi was a short one, however; Aurangzeb was the first and last great Mughal emperor to rule from here. The 33 ft (10 m) deep moat, which has been bone-dry since 1857, was originally crossed on creaky wooden drawbridges, but these were replaced with stone bridges in 1811.
Since Independence, many landmark political speeches have taken place at the fort and every year on Independence Day (15 August) it hosts the prime minister's address to the nation. In 2007, the Red Fort was added to UNESCO's World Heritage Site list.
Practical Info
The nearest metro station is Chowri Bazaar or get there by taxi or auto-rickshaw. Each evening (except Monday) a one hour sound-and-light show re-creates events of India's history, particularly those associated with the Red Fort.
Tours & Tickets
Private Tour: Old and New Delhi in a Day
Discover the diversity of Old and New Delhi in one day on a special private tour. The day tour takes you from the spacious planned street of New Delhi to the ... Read more
Location: Delhi, India
Duration: 9 hours (approx.)
Private Tour: Old and New Delhi Sightseeing
Enjoy a private sightseeing tour of old and new Delhi in an air-conditioned car, with government-approved guide to explore the beauty and history of India's ... Read more
Location: New Delhi, India
Duration: 9 hours (approx.)
Taj Mahal and Agra Tour By Car From Delhi
This private tour from Delhi includes an excursion to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, as well as some sightseeing at one of Agra's famous local markets. On one ... Read more
Location: New Delhi, India
Duration: 13 hours (approx.)
Independent Old and New Delhi City Tour in Private Car
Explore the old and modern Delhi and discover their peculiarities. Join this full-day sightseeing tour and travel comfortably between the historic sites in an ... Read more
Location: New Delhi, India
Duration: 8 hours (approx.)
Full Day Old and New Delhi Capital City Tour Including India Gate, Red Fort and Lotus Temple
Discover the historical city of Delhi on your visit to India. Explore the heritage sites and learn about the diverse culture of this amazing city. Get to know ... Read more
Location: New Delhi, India
Duration: 7 hours (approx.)
Full-Day Private Tour of Delhi's Hidden Gems including the Old Fort, Feroz Shah Kotla and the Tomb of Safdarjung
Discover the rich history and treasured monuments of Delhi on a private tour that takes you on visits to the majestic Old Fort, Feroz Shah Kotla, and the Tomb ... Read more
Location: New Delhi, India
Duration: 8 hours (approx.)
Full Day Adventure in Delhi
Visit the beautiful buildings of New and Old Delhi. Stop at Qutub Minar Complex to enjoy the tallest standalone tower. Take a look at the perfectness of ... Read more
Location: New Delhi, India
Duration: 8 hours (approx.)
Private Tour of Old and New Delhi in A Day
Find for yourself in the mixture of Old and New Delhi in your one day special and private tour. In this day tour you will get to see the well planned and ... Read more
Location: New Delhi, India
Duration: 1 day (approx.)
Light and Sound Show at the Red Fort from Delhi
Let the history of Delhi come back to you by visiting the Red Fort and the mighty Mughal Empire in the course of the light show. Remarkable sounds and light ... Read more
Location: New Delhi, India
Duration: 4 hours (approx.)
Private Tour: Light and Sound Show at the Red Fort, Delhi
Relive the history of Delhi, the Red Fort and the mighty Mughal Empire during a dramatic sound and light show. Three hundred years of history will be ... Read more
Location: Delhi, India
Duration: 3 hours (approx.)
