|
Shah
Jahan transferred his capital to Agra Shahjahanabad
and laid the groundwork for Red Fort or
Lal Quila, April 16, 1639. It took nine
years to build this powerful citadel and
it ended on April 16, 1648. It is said that
on one crore rupees, an astronomical sum
in those days were spent on its construction.
Half of this sum was spent to build the
exotic palace in the fort. Built in red
sandstone, it is an octagonal shape, with
both parties to the east and west.
The perimeter of its high
walls is about 2.41 kilometers. Red Fort
stands at a height of 33.5 m on the city
side and 18 m along the river. A wide moat
surrounding the fort, which was originally
linked to the river and was always filled
with water. The two main gateways, known
as Lahori Gate and Delhi Gate (name, as
they face in Lahore and New Delhi respectively)
are three storeys high and are flanked by
semi-octagonal towers. They are located
in the centre of the west and south respectively.
The main entrance of Lal
Quila is through the Lahori Gate. Beyond
the door, there is a passage to the roof,
flanked by apartments arcades leading to
the palace, known as Chhatta Chowk. These
apartments are now used as shops. In addition,
there are three other doors to other parties,
which are kept closed. The master builders
of the Red Fort were Hamid and Ahmad. Visitors
are permitted only in a part of Red Fort,
that the army occupies the rest of it. Some
key buildings in the fort are:
Diwan-i-Am
Diwan-i-Am or the Hearing Room is located
in the Red Fort in Delhi. It was originally
a courtyard on his forehead and was richly
decorated with gilded stucco. Heavy curtains
honored the main hall, which had three bays
in depth.
Hammam
Accompanying the Diwan-i-Khas, or selective
Audience Room, the hammam (bath series)
consists of three apartments connected by
corridors. The marble floors are inlaid
and safe with beautiful floral motifs of
several colored stones.
Moti Masjid
The staff of the mosque Aurungzeb, Moti
Masjid, or mosque Pearl lies to the west
of Hamam. Located on a level higher than
that of the prayer hall of the mosque has
inlaid marble-black lines 'musallas '(small
carpets for prayer) and is survived by three
bulbous domes.
Mumtaz Mahal
One of six major-palace located along the
river front, Mumtaz Mahal was also known
as 'Chhoti Baithak '. A beautiful water
channel called 'Nahr-i-Bihisht "(meaning
Paradise Stream) went through these palaces.
However, this palace has been removed, probably
because he was totally in ruins .
Naubat Khana Naubat Khana,
or Naqqar Khana (ie Drum House), is located
at the entrance to the palace. Here, music
is played five times a day, the appointment
hours. It housed a door known as 'Hathi
Pol '(Elephant Gate), where visitors walk
their elephants.
|
