Red Fort: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}

{{EngvarB|date=September 2019}}

| caption = A view of the Red Fort's Lahori Gate

| designation1_free1name = State Party

| designation1_free1value = [[India]]

| designation1_free2value = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Asia|Indo-Pacific]]

The name ''Red Fort'' is a translation of the [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]] {{lang|hi-Latn|Lāl Qila}} ({{Lang-hi|लाल क़िला}}, {{Lang-ur|{{nq|لال قلعہ}}}}),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.shabdkosh.com/translate/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BC%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BC%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE-meaning-in-Hindi-English|title=qila {{!}} Meaning of qila in English by Shabdkosh English Hindi Dictionary|website=Shabdkosh Dictionary|access-date=2 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111001929/http://shabdkosh.com/translate/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BC%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BC%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BE-meaning-in-Hindi-English|archive-date=11 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/qila|title=qila {{!}} Definition of ''qila'' in English by Oxford Dictionaries|website=Oxford Dictionaries {{!}} English|access-date=3 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403112535/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/qila|archive-date=3 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> deriving from its red sandstone walls. ''Lal'' was derived from Hindustani language meaning "Red" and ''Qalàh'' derived from Arabic word meaning "Fortress". As the residence of the imperial family, the fort was originally known as the "Blessed Fort" ({{lang|hi-Latn|Qila-i-Mubārak}}).<ref name="Spellman2004">{{cite book|author=William M. Spellman|title=Monarchies 1000–2000|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MRbExiEuYPsC|access-date=5 August 2012|date=1 April 2004|publisher=Reaktion Books|isbn=978-1-86189-087-0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111214091001/http://books.google.com/books?id=MRbExiEuYPsC|archive-date=14 December 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="KiaOakes2002">{{cite book|author1=Mehrdad Kia|author2=Elizabeth H. Oakes|title=Social Science Resources in the Electronic Age|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yF8kiCtBeLoC|access-date=5 August 2012|date=1 November 2002|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-57356-474-8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111082645/http://books.google.com/books?id=yF8kiCtBeLoC|archive-date=11 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Agra Fort]] is also known as {{lang|hi-Latn|Lāl Qila}}.

Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned construction of the Red Fort on 12&nbsp;May 1638, when he decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi. Originally red and white, Shah Jahan's favourite colours,<ref>{{cite news|title=Delhi's Red Fort was originally white |first1=Dean|last1=Nelson|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] (UK)|date=20 May 2011}}</ref> its design is credited to architect [[Ustad Ahmad Lahori]], who also constructed the [[Taj Mahal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oxfordindex.oup.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110810104325668?lang=en,%20//oxfordindex.oup.com:443/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110810104325668|title=Ustad Ahmad – oi|website=oxfordindex.oup.com|access-date=8 December 2019}}{{dead link|date=August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/treasuresoftheworld/taj_mahal/tlevel_2/t3build_design.html|title=Building the Taj – who designed the Taj Mahal|work=[[PBS]]|access-date=13 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218114338/http://www.pbs.org/treasuresoftheworld/taj_mahal/tlevel_2/t3build_design.html|archive-date=18 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The fort lies along the [[Yamuna River]], which fed the [[moats]] surrounding most of the walls.<ref>{{cite web|title=Red Fort lies along the River Yamuna|url=http://www.delhicapital.com/monuments-in-delhi/lal-qila.html|access-date=4 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814043557/http://www.delhicapital.com/monuments-in-delhi/lal-qila.html|archive-date=14 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Construction began in the sacred [[Islamic month]] of [[Muharram]], on 13&nbsp;May 1638.<ref name="ASI3">{{cite web |title = Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan for Red Fort, Delhi |publisher = [[Archaeological Survey of India]] |date = March 2009 |url = http://asi.nic.in/ccmp_text_pdf/chapter-03-history.pdf |access-date = 14 August 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120508111424/http://asi.nic.in/ccmp_text_pdf/chapter-03-history.pdf |archive-date = 8 May 2012 |url-status = live }}</ref>{{rp|01}} Supervised by Shah Jahan, it was completed on 6&nbsp;April 1648.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924006140374|title=Shah Jahan|first=H. M. (Henry Miers)|last=Elliot|date=26 September 1875|publisher=[Lahore : Sh. Mubarak Ali|access-date=26 September 2020|via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.22805/page/n38/mode/1up |title = List of Muhammadan and Hindu monuments vol.1|year = 1916 |access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Pinto|first1=Xavier|last2=Myall|first2=E. G.|title=Glimpses of History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ch9goq6W-cgC&pg=PA129|year=2009|publisher=Frank Brothers|isbn=978-81-8409-617-0|page=129|access-date=25 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111082736/http://books.google.com/books?id=ch9goq6W-cgC&pg=PA129|archive-date=11 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Unlike other Mughal forts, the Red Fort's boundary walls are asymmetrical to contain the older [[Salimgarh Fort]].<ref name="ASI3" />{{rp|04}} The fortress-palace was a focal point of the city of Shahjahanabad, which is present-day [[Old Delhi]]. Shah Jahan's successor, [[Aurangzeb]], added the [[Moti Masjid (Red Fort)|Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque)]] to the emperor's private quarters, constructing [[barbican]]s in front of the two main gates to make the entrance to the palace more circuitous.<ref name="ASI3" />{{rp|08}}

The administrative and fiscal structure of the Mughal dynasty declined after Aurangzeb, and the 18th&nbsp;century saw a degeneration of the palace. In 1712 [[Jahandar Shah]] became the [[Mughal emperors|Mughal Emperor]]. Within a year of beginning his rule, Shah was murdered and replaced by [[Farrukhsiyar]]. In 1739, Persian emperor [[Nadir Shah]] easily defeated the strong Mughal army of around 200,000 soldiers,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Battle of Karnal {{!}} Summary|url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Karnal|access-date=2021-05-24|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> plundering the Red Fort, including the [[Peacock Throne]]. Nadir Shah returned to Persia after three months, leaving a destroyed city and a weakened Mughal empire to Muhammad Shah.<ref name="ASI3" />{{rp|09}} The internal weakness of the Mughal Empire made the Mughals only titular rulers of Delhi, and a 1752 treaty made the [[Maratha Empire|Marathas]] protectors of the throne at Delhi.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mehta|first=J. L.|title=Advanced Study in the History of Modern India: Volume One: 1707–1813|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC&pg=PA134|year=2005|publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd|isbn=978-1-932705-54-6|page=134|access-date=25 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112041547/http://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC&pg=PA134|archive-date=12 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Jayapalan|first=N.|title=History of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6L6avTlqJNYC&pg=PA249|year=2001|publisher=Atlantic Publishers & Distri|isbn=978-81-7156-928-1|page=249|access-date=25 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112023157/http://books.google.com/books?id=6L6avTlqJNYC&pg=PA249|archive-date=12 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The 1758 Maratha victory at [[Sirhind]] aided by the Sikhs and successive defeat at [[Panipat]]<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=d1wUgKKzawoC&pg=PA237&lpg=PA237&dq=raghunathrao+attock&source=bl&ots=HKTZh2dh_g&sig=APrp07_4dpYII1sMfxqxtPpBTFM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=8HsFT-WbL9CHrAfevaT1Dw&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=raghunathrao%20attock&f=false Advanced Study in the History of Modern India: 1707–1813 – Jaswant Lal Mehta – Google Books]. Google Books. Retrieved 29 July 2013.</ref> placed them in further conflict with [[Ahmad Shah Durrani]].<ref>{{cite book | last=Roy |first=Kaushik |title=India's Historic Battles: From Alexander the Great to Kargil |publisher=Permanent Black, India |pages=80–81 |isbn=978-81-78241-09-8|year=2004 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book| first=Mountstuart |last=Elphinstone |title=History of India | url=https://archive.org/details/historyindia02elphgoog |publisher=John Murray, London|year=1841 |page=[https://archive.org/details/historyindia02elphgoog/page/n318 276]}}</ref>

In 1760, the [[Maratha]]s removed and melted the silver ceiling of the [[Diwan-i-Khas (Red Fort)|Diwan-i-Khas]] to raise funds for the defence of Delhi from the armies of Ahmed Shah Durrani.<ref name="kulkarni345">{{cite book|last=Kulkarni|first=Uday S.|title=Solstice at Panipat, 14 January 1761|year=2012|publisher=Mula Mutha Publishers|location=Pune|isbn=978-81-921080-0-1|page=345}}</ref><ref name="google140">{{cite book|last1=Kumar Maheshwari|first1=Kamalesh|last2=Wiggins|first2=Kenneth W.|title=Maratha Mints and Coinage|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zVdmAAAAMAAJ|year=1989|publisher=Indian Institute of Research in Numismatic Studies|page=140|access-date=25 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112045304/http://books.google.com/books?id=zVdmAAAAMAAJ|archive-date=12 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1761, after the Marathas lost the [[Battle of Panipat (1761)|third battle of Panipat]], Delhi was raided by Ahmed Shah Durrani. Ten years later, the Marathas recaptured Delhi from the Rohilla Afghans under the leadership of Visaji Biniwale, Ramchandra Kanade, Mahadji Scindia and Tukoji Holkar and placed their puppet Mughal emperor [[Shah Alam II]] on the throne.<ref name="ASI3" />{{rp|10}}

In 1783 the Sikh [[Misl]] Karor Singhia, led by [[Baghel Singh]], conquered Delhi and the Red Fort.<ref name="books.google.co.in">{{cite book|last=Murphy|first=Anne|title=The Materiality of the Past: History and Representation in Sikh Tradition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r13hjYfoI6MC&pg=PA151|year=2012|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|isbn=978-0-19-991629-0|page=151|access-date=25 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927100932/http://books.google.com/books?id=r13hjYfoI6MC&pg=PA151|archive-date=27 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Baghel Singh, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia all allied with a 40,000 force and looted the area from Awadh to Jodhpur. After negotiations, Baghel Singh and his forces agreed to leave [[Delhi]] and reinstate the [[Mughal emperors|Mughal emperor]] [[Shah Alam II]]. The condition of their retreat included the construction of seven [[Sikhs|Sikh]] [[Gurdwara]]s in [[Delhi]], including the [[Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib|Gurudwara Sis Ganj]] in [[Chandni Chowk]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Murphy|first=Anne|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r13hjYfoI6MC&pg=PA151|title=The Materiality of the Past: History and Representation in Sikh Tradition|date=2012-11-29|publisher=OUP USA|isbn=978-0-19-991629-0|language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Ghulam Ali Khan 010b.jpg|thumb|The Rang Mahal inside Red Fort in the mid-nineteenth century. |320x320px]]

[[File:Rang Mahal with Fountain - Western View - Red Fort - Delhi 2014-05-13 3243.JPG|thumb|The Rang Mahal inside Red Fort today. |320x320px]]

Despite its position as the seat of Mughal power and its defensive capabilities, the Red Fort was not a site of an engagement during the 1857 uprising against the British. After the rebellion was defeated, Bahadur Shah&nbsp;II left the fort on 17&nbsp;September and was apprehended by British forces. Bahadur Shah Zafar&nbsp;II returned to Red Fort as a British prisoner, was tried in 1858 and exiled to [[Rangoon]] on 7&nbsp;October of that year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mody |first=Krutika |title=Bahadur Shah II "Zafar"'s significance with Red Fort |url=http://know.burrp.com/my-city/about-red-fort-delhi/11267 |access-date=4 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902215305/http://know.burrp.com/my-city/about-red-fort-delhi/11267 |archive-date=2 September 2012 }}</ref> After the end of the rebellion, the British sacked the Red Fort before ordering its systemic demolition. 80% of the fort’s buildings were demolished as a result of this effort, including the stone screen that connected the pavilions along the fort’s river-facing façade, which was demolished.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Soofi|first=Delhi's Belly{{!}} Mayank Austen|date=2011-08-19|title=The other red corridor|url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/LQ6ebeBiHz5QhEkdLAsa3K/The-other-red-corridor.html|access-date=2021-05-23|website=mint|language=en}}</ref>  All furniture was removed or destroyed; the [[harem]] apartments, servants' quarters and gardens were demolished, and a line of stone barracks built in their place.<ref name="auto">{{cite book|author=William Dalrymple|title=The Last Mughal|publisher=[[Penguin Books]]|year=2007|isbn=978-0-14-310243-4|page=7|chapter=Introduction|author-link=William Dalrymple (historian)}}</ref> Only the marble buildings on the east side at the imperial enclosure escaped complete destruction, although they were damaged by the demolition efforts. While the defensive walls and towers were relatively unharmed, more than two-thirds of the inner structures were demolished.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}

 

[[File:Red Fort Independence Day.jpg|thumb|Every year on India's Independence Day (15 August), the Prime Minister hoists the Indian "tricolour flag" at the fort's main gate and delivers a nationally broadcast speech from its ramparts.]]

On 15&nbsp;August 1947, the first [[Prime Minister of India]], [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] raised the [[Flag of India|Indian national flag]] above the [[Lahori Gate, Delhi|Lahore Gate]].<ref name="auto12">{{cite news|author=PTI|date=15 August 2013|title=Manmohan first PM outside Nehru-Gandhi clan to hoist flag for 10th time|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/manmohan-first-pm-outside-nehrugandhi-clan-to-hoist-flag-for-10th-time/article5025367.ece|url-status=live|access-date=13 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221090006/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/manmohan-first-pm-outside-nehrugandhi-clan-to-hoist-flag-for-10th-time/article5025367.ece|archive-date=21 December 2013}}</ref>

The Red Fort, the largest monument in Delhi,<ref name="SchreitmüllerDhamotharan2012">{{cite book|last1=Schreitmüller|first1=Karen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bGgf_LkeG2kC&pg=PA253|title=Baedeker India|last2=Dhamotharan|first2=Mohan (CON)|last3=Szerelmy|first3=Beate (CON)|date=14 February 2012|publisher=[[Baedeker]]|isbn=978-3-8297-6622-7|page=253|access-date=25 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927180628/http://books.google.com/books?id=bGgf_LkeG2kC&pg=PA253|archive-date=27 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> is one of its most popular tourist destinations<ref name="Devashish2011">{{cite book|last=Devashish|first=Dasgupta|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oXWAEjcG-FsC&pg=PA79|title=Tourism Marketing|publisher=[[Pearson Education India]]|year=2011|isbn=978-81-317-3182-6|page=79|access-date=25 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929010047/http://books.google.com/books?id=oXWAEjcG-FsC&pg=PA79|archive-date=29 September 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> and attracts thousands of visitors every year.<ref name="Murthy">{{cite news|last=Murthy|first=Raja|date=23 February 2012|title=Mughal 'paradise' gets tortuous makeover|newspaper=[[Asia Times Online]]|location=South Asia|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/NB23Df01.html|url-status=unfit|access-date=25 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120145541/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/NB23Df01.html|archive-date=20 November 2012}}</ref> It is a monument of national significance; every year on [[Independence Day (India)|India's Independence Day]] (15 August), the Prime Minister of India hoists the country's flag at the Red Fort and delivers a nationally broadcast speech from its [[defensive wall|ramparts]].<ref name="business-standard.com">{{cite news|date=15 August 2012|title=Singh becomes third PM to hoist flag at Red Fort for 9th time|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]|url=http://www.business-standard.com/generalnews/news/singh-becomes-third-pm-to-hoist-flag-at-red-fort-for-9th-time/44355/|access-date=17 August 2012}}</ref> The fort also appears on the back of the [[Indian 500-rupee note|{{INR}}500 note]] of the [[Mahatma Gandhi New Series]] of the [[Indian rupee]].<ref name="500RBI">{{cite web|date=8 November 2016|title=Issue of ₹ 500 banknotes inset letter 'E' in Mahatma Gandhi (New) series after demonitization|url=https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_PressReleaseDisplay.aspx?prid=38524|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109222836/https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_PressReleaseDisplay.aspx?prid=38524|archive-date=9 November 2016|access-date=9 November 2016|website=Reserve Bank of India}}</ref>

The Red Fort was the site of a [[2000 terrorist attack on Red Fort|terrorist attack on 22&nbsp;December 2000]], carried out by six [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] members. Two soldiers and a civilian were killed in what the news media described as an attempt to derail India-Pakistan peace talks.<ref>{{cite web|date=19 August 2012|title=Red Fort attack will not affect peace moves|url=http://in.rediff.com/news/2000/dec/23tara.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003070913/http://in.rediff.com/news/2000/dec/23tara.htm|archive-date=3 October 2012|access-date=19 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=31 March 2012|title=Red Fort terrorist attacks|url=http://news.oneindia.in/2012/03/31/red-fort-attack-court-discharges-alleged-let-terrorist.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513075302/http://news.oneindia.in/2012/03/31/red-fort-attack-court-discharges-alleged-let-terrorist.html|archive-date=13 May 2013|access-date=4 August 2012}}</ref>

 

In April 2018, [[Dalmia Group#Dalmia Bharat Group|Dalmia Bharat Group]] adopted the Red Fort for maintenance, development, and operations, per a contract worth {{INR}}25 crores for a period of five years, under the government's "Adopt A Heritage" scheme.<ref name="business">{{Cite news|last=Manish|first=Sai|date=29 April 2018|title=Dalmia Bharat group to adopt Delhi's iconic Red Fort for five years|work=[[Business Standard]]|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/shah-jahan-s-iconic-red-fort-in-delhi-is-now-dalmia-group-s-red-fort-118042700414_1.html|url-status=live|access-date=7 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513020218/https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/shah-jahan-s-iconic-red-fort-in-delhi-is-now-dalmia-group-s-red-fort-118042700414_1.html|archive-date=13 May 2019}}</ref> The memorandum of understanding was signed with the ministries of [[Ministry of Tourism (India)|Tourism]] and [[Ministry of Culture (India)|Culture]], and the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (A.S.I.).<ref name="adoption1">{{Cite news|last=Krishna|first=Navmi|date=30 April 2018|title=Red Fort adoption row: The long list of Monument Mitras|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/red-fort-adoption-row-the-long-list-of-monument-mitras/article23729853.ece|access-date=7 September 2019}}</ref> The adoption of the fort by a private group left people divided and drew criticism from the public, opposition political parties, and historians. It also led to the #IndiaOnSale hashtag on Twitter.<ref name="bbc">{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-43949370 |title=Indians upset over Red Fort monument 'adoption' |last=Nettikkara |first=Samiha |date=30 April 2018 |work=[[BBC]] |access-date=7 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709150855/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-43949370 |archive-date=9 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2018, the Indian History Congress called for the deal to be suspended until there is an "impartial review" of the deal "by the Central Advisory Board of Archaeology or any other recognised body of experts".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/historians-seek-review-of-red-fort-contract/article23752738.ece |title=Historians seek review of Red Fort contract  |last=Pathak |first=Vikas |date=2 May 2018 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=7 September 2019}}</ref>

 

To prevent terrorist attacks, security is especially strict around the Red Fort on the eve of Indian Independence Day. [[Delhi Police]] and paramilitary personnel keep a watch on neighbourhoods around the fort, and [[National Security Guard]] sharpshooters are deployed on high-rises near the fort.<ref name="DNA1">{{cite news |title=Security tightened across Delhi on I-Day eve |newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis]] |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_security-tightened-across-delhi-on-i-day-eve_1727877 |date=14 August 2012 |access-date=17 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818022210/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_security-tightened-across-delhi-on-i-day-eve_1727877 |archive-date=18 August 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Tight security ensures safe I-Day celebration |newspaper=[[The Asian Age]] |url=http://www.asianage.com/delhi/tight-security-ensures-safe-i-day-celebration-119 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117002607/http://www.asianage.com/delhi/tight-security-ensures-safe-i-day-celebration-119 |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 November 2017 |date=16 August 2012 |access-date=17 August 2012}}</ref> The airspace around the fort is a designated [[no-fly zone]] during the celebration to prevent air attacks,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2359798.ece?textsize=small&test=2|title=Rain Brings Children Cheer, Gives Securitymen a Tough Time|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=16 August 2011|access-date=27 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230234043/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2359798.ece?textsize=small&test=2|archive-date=30 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[safe house]]s exist in nearby areas to which the prime minister and other Indian leaders may retreat in the event of an attack.<ref name="DNA1" />

The two southernmost pavilions of the palace are [[Zenana|''zenana''s]] (women's quarters), consisting of the ''Mumtaz Mahal'' built for Arjumand Banu Begum ([[Mumtaz Mahal]]) wife of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan<ref>{{cite book|last1=Lach|first1=Donald F.|last2=Kley|first2=Edwin J. Van|title=Asia in the Making of Europe, Volume III: A Century of Advance. Book 2, South Asia|date=1998|publisher=[[University of Chicago]] Press|isbn=9780226466972|page=689|language=en}}</ref> and the larger ''Rang Mahal'' a resort for royal women.<ref name=archnet>{{Cite web |url=https://archnet.org/sites/5270 |title= Rang Mahal Delhi, India |website=archnet.org |access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>  The ''Mumtaz Mahal'' houses the [[Red Fort Archaeological Museum]].

The ''Rang Mahal'' housed the emperor's wives and mistresses. Its name means "Palace of Colours", since it was brightly painted and decorated with a mosaic of mirrors. The central marble pool is fed by the ''Nahr-i-Bihisht'' ("River of Paradise").<ref name="KM">{{Cite web |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/delhi/attractions/khas-mahal/a/poi-sig/1337802/356220 |title=Khas Mahal |website=lonelyplanet.com |access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="archnet" />

{{quote|If heaven can be on the face of the earth,<br />

|source={{cite web |title=World Heritage Site – Red Fort, Delhi; Diwan-i-Khas |publisher=Archaeological Survey of India |url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_delhi_redfort_diwanikhas.asp |access-date=15 August 2012}}

The two rooms to either side of the present entrance are believed to have been used by the royal children for bathing. The eastern apartment, containing three fountain basins, was used primarily as a dressing room. In the center of each room stood a fountain, and one of the rooms contained a marble reservoir built into the wall. As legend goes, perfumed rose-water once ran from the taps. The western apartment was used for hot or vapor baths, and the heating arrangement was being fixed in its western wall.<ref>{{Cite book|last=John Murray (Firm)|url=https://archive.org/details/handbooktravelle00john|title=A handbook for travellers in India, Burma, and Ceylon .|date=1911|publisher=London : J. Murray ; Calcutta : Thacker, Spink, & Co.|others=University of California Libraries}}</ref>

The ''Hira Mahal'' ("Diamond Palace") is a pavilion on the southern edge of the fort, built under Bahadur Shah&nbsp;II and at the end of the ''Hayat Baksh'' garden.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.culturalindia.net/indian-forts/delhi-fort.html |title=Red Fort |website=culturalindia.net |url-status=live |access-date=12 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407125951/https://www.culturalindia.net/indian-forts/delhi-fort.html |archive-date=7 April 2019 }}</ref> The ''Moti Mahal'' on the northern edge, a twin building, was demolished during (or after) the 1857 rebellion. The ''[[Shahi Burj (Red Fort)|Shahi Burj]]'' was the emperor's main study; its name means "Emperor's Tower",<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/delhi/attractions/shahi-burj/a/poi-sig/1337812/356220 |title=Shahi Burj Monument in Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad) |website=lonelyplanet.com |access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref> and it originally had a ''[[chhatri]]'' on top. Heavily damaged, the tower is undergoing reconstruction. In front of it is a marble pavilion added by Emperor [[Aurangzeb]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jEOwDwAAQBAJ&q=shahi+burj+a+marble+pavilion+added+by+Aurangzeb.&pg=PT15 |title=DK Eyewitness Top 10 Delhi |date=17 December 2019 |isbn=9781465497246 |access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>

Smaller gardens (such as the ''Mehtab Bagh'' or Moonlight Garden) existed west of it, but were demolished when the British barracks were built.<ref name="ASI3" /> There are plans to restore the gardens.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Restoring-the-lost-glory-of-Red-Fort/articleshow/38398022.cms?referral=PM |title=Restoring the lost glory of Red Fort |website=[[Times of India]] |access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref> Beyond these, the road to the north leads to an arched bridge and the [[Salimgarh Fort]].

[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Delhi]]

[[Category:Mughal fortress gardens in India]]