Red Fort, Icon Of Mughal Architecture
Red Fort:
Red Fort is one of the famous constructions of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. During his administration, he encouraged arts and construction. Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the present world, was also constructed by Shah Jahan. Among his buildings, Red Fort was one. At every Republic and Independence day celebration in the Fort, the Prime Minister of India gave his speeches from the Fort.
Red Fort Construction:
In 1639 Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan wanted to shift his capital from Agra City to Delhi to fulfil his motivated building plans. He founded the new city, Shahjahanabad, laid the foundation stone of the Fort, and constructed it with Red bricks, giving it the name Red Fort. Now Shah Jahanabad is known as old Delhi, and the Fort is situated on the northern side of the town. The foundation stone was held in 1639, and it took nine years o finish the construction of Red Fort. The Fort was constructed to be comfortable for the residents. The Mughal rulers made the Fort their capital till the regime of the Last Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar. After Shah Jahan, all the rulers of the Mughal emperor lived in Red Fort.
Architect of Red Fort:
Previously the Fort known as ‘Qila-e-Mubarak’ was the residence of many Royal Families. When Shah Jahan wanted to shift his capital, he chose the ‘Qila-e-Mubarak’ to construct with superior architecture. So ‘Qila-e-Mubarak’ expanded over 250 acres and newly constructed Fort with large Red sandstones.
The Architecture of The Fort:
The architecture of the Fort was significantly superior to Agra Fort. The architecture of the Fort still shows us the magnificent architectural works of the Mughal era. Shah Jahan constructed the Fort, but later, rulers of the Mughals did many alternations and studded varieties of Mughal designs to many parts of Red Fort. Bahadur Shah Zafar left the Fort to escape from the British to participate in the First Indian Freedom fight. Later British used the Fort for their army cantonment. After India gained Independence, the Fort was used as an army cantonment until the early century. Later, archaeological surveys of Indlookedooked after the Fort and did many restorations works to attract tourists. Finally, in 2007, UNESCO declared the Fort a world heritage site.
Red Fort After Mughals:
Red Fort is an incredible architectural piece of Mughal construction. The Yamuna river water was used for the moat that surrounded the wall. After Aurangzeb, the Mughal Empire’s glory calms down slowly. There was no commendable emperor enthroned to control the Mughal empire. So in 1752, Marathas became the guardians of the Mughal regime. Around 1761 AD, in the Panipat war, the Marathas lost their grip on Delhi and Ahmad Shah Abdali road Delhi again again again.
After Mughal Rule:
In 1803 the British conquered the Marathas, and again Mughals took control of Delhi city and Red Fort and restored their power. Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last ruler of the Mughal dynasty and the previous inhabit of the Fort, Delhi. There were allegations about Bahadur Shah Zafer’s support of India’s first freedom struggle, so the British arrested him, and his two sons were shot dead. Like this, the glory of the Mughals dried up and remained the Red Fort brought back the glory of the Mughals.