The fort has two principle gates - Lahore Darwaza and Dehli Darwaza along its western and southern sides respectively. The major buildings inside the Red Fort compound include the Naqqar Khana, Diwan-i-am, Rang-Mahal, Khas-Mahal, Mumtaj-Mahal (named after Shahjehan's wife), Diwan-i-Khas and Hammams. A closer look at the walls of the buildings of the Red Fort reveals the delicate, detailed work, consistent with Mughal architecture. The marble walls were cut with care and fitted with precious and semi-precious stones to form patterns of flowers.
The Diwan-i-am (Hall of Public Audience), was used by Mughal emperors for holding state functions. Originally, the hall was ornamented with gilded stucco-work and hung with heavy curtains. Under the marble canopy projecting from the back wall stood the throne of the emperor, and in the marble dias below, the Prime Minister received complaints and petitions. The panels bearing the pietradura decoration behind the marble canopy seem to have been executed by some European artist.
The Red Fort also housed the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), which has 60 red sandstone pillars supporting a flat roof. The ceiling was originally inlaid with silver and gold. The Hall of Private Audience is smaller and has a pavilion of white marble. Here, the emperor gave private audience to courtiers and state guests. The celebrated Peacock Throne, which was removed during the invasion of Nadir Shah in 1739, once stood on the marble pedestal in this hall. Today, although the Diwan-i-Khas is only a pale shadow of its original glory, yet the verse of Amir Khusrau, "If there is paradise on the face of earth, it is here, it is here, it is here," reminds us of its former glory.
The Rang Mahal (Palace of Colour) was also known as the Imtiyazz-Mahal (Palace of Distinction). It holds a spectacular lotus shaped fountain, made out of a single piece of marble, and housed the emperor's wives and mistresses. The palace was decorated with excellent paintings, gold-bordered projections, mosaics of mirrors and the ceiling was made with gold and silver, which wonderfully reflected in a central pool in the marble floor. During the time of Shahjehan, the interiors of Rang Mahal were richly painted and decorated. Some apartments of this building are called Sheesh-Mahal (palace of mirrors) due to the fact that their ceilings are decked with tiny mirrors.
Through the centre of the Rang Mahal flowed the Nahr-i-Bihist (Stream of Paradise), was a fully functional fountain, which fed the small water channels that flowed into the rooms of the Red Fort. These channels provided natural cooling during hot Delhi summers. The other attractions enclosed within this monument are the hammams or the Royal Baths, the Shahi Burj, which used to be Shahjehan's private working area, and the Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque, built by Aurangzeb, son of Shahjehan, for his personal use.
"Moti Masjid" was concealed within a walled enclosure. This gem like mosque follows a conventional Mughal pattern with attractive decorative elements.
Even today, the fort remains an impressive testimony to Mughal grandeur, despite being attacked by the Persian emperor Nadir Shah in 1739 and by the British soldiers during the war of independence in 1857. Its magnificence leaves many wonder-struck. It is still a calm haven, away from the frantic pace of life outside the walls of the Fort, and transports the visitor to another era.
Sound and light shows, highlighting particular phases of history are held here. The shows are in Hindi and English with tickets available at the Red Fort. The English shows are from November to January at 7.30 p.m., in January to April and September to October at 8.30 p.m. and from May to August at 9 p.m.
