Red Fort
| Red Fort | |
|---|---|
A view of the Red Fort's Lahori Gate | |
| Location | Old Delhi, Delhi, India |
| Coordinates | 28°39′21″N 77°14′27″E / 28.65583°N 77.24083°E |
| Height | 18–33 m (59–108 ft) |
| Built | 12 May 1639 – 6 April 1648 |
| Built for | Mughal Empire |
| Architect | Ustad Ahmad Lahori |
| Architectural style | Indo-Islamic architecture |
| Owner |
Sikh Confederacy (1783-1787)
|
| Official name | Red Fort Complex |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | II, III, VI |
| Designated | 2007 (31st session) |
| Reference no. | 231rev |
| Region | Indo-Pacific |
The Red Fort (Lal Qila in Hindi; Hindi pronunciation: [laːl 'qɪlaː]) is a historic Mughal fort located in the Old Delhi area of Delhi, India. It served as the main residence of the Mughal emperors. Commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan on the 12th of May 1639, the fort was constructed following his decision to shift the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Originally adorned in red and white, the fort's design is attributed to Ustad Ahmad Lahori, the architect of the Taj Mahal. The Red Fort is a prominent example of Mughal architecture from Shah Jahan's reign, combining Persian and Indian architectural styles.
During the invasion by Nadir Shah of the Afsharid Empire in 1739, the fort was plundered and stripped of its artwork and jewels. Following the Indian Rebellion of 1857, many of its marble structures were demolished by the British, although the defensive walls remained largely intact. The fort was later repurposed as a military garrison.
On 15 August 1947, the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, hoisted the Indian flag above the Lahori Gate, the main entrance of the Red Fort. Since then, the Prime Minister of India has ceremonially raised the national tricolour at the main gate each year on Independence Day, then delivering a nationally broadcast address from its ramparts.
The Red Fort, as part of the Red Fort Complex, was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.