New Delhi Attractions

Venue: Red Fort    When: Daily; not Mon

In 1638 when the capital of India was moved from Agra to Delhi, a new royal palace was constructed for the then-ruler of the Mughal Dynasty, Shah Jahan. Known as the Red Fort, or Lal Qila, it was completed in 1648. The name derives from its massive red sandstone walls, some up to 110 feet high, which surround this magnificent work of Mughal architecture. The palace itself is made of white marble and decorated in gold and precious stones.

Shah Jahan's throne lies in the middle of the palace, with the gold inscription "If there is a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this" on the ceiling above.

India's history is also closely linked with Red Fort, which served as the centre of the Mughal Empire for more than 200 years. It is actually a series of individual pavilions, each with a specific purpose. For example, 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. To the west of the Hammam lies the small mosque, the Moti-Masjid (Pearl Mosque), built by Aurangzeb for his personal use.