Red Fort- Delhi, India - VirtualTourist.com

The Red Fort , like Chandni Chowk, in another register is an emblematic place of Delhi; missing a visit to the Red For is like not having been to Delhi! Since I am a kid, am able to read stories, I was fascinated by the Great Mogul. Moguls disappeared but some of their works and achievements are still on this planet. I am as competent in architecture and Islamic art as a dog for biking, but I discovered Islamic long time ago in Algeria, in Andalusia, later in south East Asia, and more recently in Central Asia; it is every time a discovery! And here, in Lal Qila, it is so new to me, and different, this Mogul art, so much majesty! I had visited the Red Fort a few years ago, my camera did not work, and revisiting this marvel was just giving me an idea of what paradise on Earth (for the Moguls at least!) could be!
The Red Fort has been constructed by Shah Jahan, great great great grandson of Timur of Samarqand in 1639; he built a 2.5 km long wall around his palace. What we see today is a very small part of what existed in times of splendour, as during the British rule, it was used as an army cantonment and it is estimated that the four fifth of the palace have been destroyed. . . . . the fate of those who loose. . . . . Long walls and gates; Lahore gate(on the two first pictures) is the most impressive, and it is there where most visitors enter. Picture 3 shows it as seen from the minaret of Jama Mosque. At Lahore Gate, you can have a look at the high walls and the ditches (picture 4).
Be prepared for a security check when entering the fort: you will pass under a detection device and be searched on the body; this explains the queues at the entrance (picture 5).
Entrance fees: 150 Rs, (10Rs for Indian citizen); about the fees, I was witness of really stupid appalling behaviour of some “tourists”; a couple looking like Indian queued at the local tickets shelter, but were then asked to pay the foreigner fee, and they made almost a scandal about the fees they had to pay! They were in fact irked, not having managed to save. . . (3.7 – 0.25) 3.5 U.S.$. Hell ! ! What are 3.5 Dollars when you can afford to travel overseas. . .? And this money is used (well, in theory!) for maintenance and renovation of the historical place, for the Archaeological Survey, or in the government expenses for “development” of India! Stupid games. . . . .

Ticket to the Fort gives entrance to all museums or buildings in the Red Fort.
Open: 10 a m -- 6 p m
The Archeological Survey of India gives historical and construction information about the Red Fort and the little palaces inside (click on the links).

Red Fort, Delhi

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Red Fort, Delhi

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Visiting Delhi?

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