RED FORT
Shah
Jahan, famed not only for his leadership capabilities but also for his great
architectural accomplishments, was one of the greatest rulers of the Mughal
Dynasty in India. In 1638 when the emperor moved the capital of India from Agra
to Delhi, a new royal palace was constructed. Known as the Red Fort, it was
begun around 1640 and completed by 1648.
The name comes from the massive red sandstone walls, some up to 110 feet high,
which surround this magnificent piece of Mughal architecture. The palace is made
of white marble and decorated in gold and precious stones. Shah Jahan's throne
lay in the middle of the palace, and on the ceiling above was written in gold
lettering "If there is a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this."
The Red Fort served as the center of the Mughal Empire for more than 200 years.
The palace is actually a series of individual pavilions, each with a specific
purpose. The Khas Mahal served as the emperor's private quarters and was the
most exquisitely decorated of all the pavilions.
The Diwan-i-khas was designed to reflect heaven and served as the private
audience hall. All public audiences were held in the Diwan-i-am, and secret
meetings took place in the Royal Tower, or Shah Burj.
On the north of the Diwan-i-Khas lies the bathroom set or Hammam, consisting of
three apartments separated by corridors. The floors and dados of these
apartments are built with marble, inlaid with floral patterns of multicoloured
stones. The two rooms on either side of the present entrance were used.
To the west of the Hammam lies the small mosque, called the Moti-Masjid (Pearl
Mosque), built by Aurangzeb for his personal use. The prayer-hall of the mosque
is inlaid with outlines of 'Musallas' (small carpets for prayers) in black
marble, and it stands at a higher level than the courtyard.
