Red Fort - Delhi - India

Red Fort - Delhi - India
Among the recent addition to world heritage sites of UNESCO, India's contribution is the magnificence architectural wonder of the Mugal era, Red Fort from the capital city Delhi. It was around the 1638 that King Shahjahan decided to shift the capital from Agra to Delhi and started construction for the architectural beauty craved in the Red sandstone on banks of river Yamuna, after almost 10 years of work this huge fort came in the existence on 16th April 1648. This, one of most significant architect of the Mugal era covers an area of almost 2 km. Though king Nadir Shah has taken many precious stones from the interiors of the fort along with famous "Peacock Throne" 1739 but still construction is true expression for the famous Persian couplet inscribed on its wall reminds us of its former magnificence: "If on earth be an eden on bliss, it is this, it is this, none but this."

The interiors of the fort includes

The Lahore Gate : The Lahore Gate of the palace is veiled by the Babar added by Aurangzeb, a Mughal emperor. The gate is from where the Prime Minister addresses the nation and unfurls the National Flag on August 15, Independence Day.

Chatta Chowk : The entrance of the Gate leads through a long covered bazaar called the Chatta Chowk. From Chatta Chowk follows the Naqqar Khana(Drum Room) also called Naubat Khana or the Welcome Room, which earlier formed part of a square enclosure with apartments for the umrah (Nobles) on duty. It was at this point that everyone other than the Emperor had to dismount from their elephants and walk towards the magnificent Diwan-e-Am(hall of public audience) where the Emperor used to listen to the grievances of the common man.

Naqqar Khana : The Naqqar Khana is 49 feet high with an open arched hall at the top which served as a music gallery from where the strains of music filtered down to welcome the Emperor or to bid him a safe journey. The War Memorial Museum is housed on the first floor. The Diwan-e-Am is built of red sandstone and is set atop an impressive plinth. The southwest and northwest corners of the pavilion are articulated by small chhattris.

Diwan-i-Am : The Fort also houses the Diwan-i-Am or "the Hall of Public Audiences", where the Emperor would sit and hear complaints of the common folk. His alcove in the wall was marble-paneled, and was set with precious stones, many of which were looted, after the Mutiny of 1857.

Diwan-i-Khas : The Diwan-i-Khas is "the Hall of Private Audiences", where the Emperor held private meetings. This hall is made of marble, and its center-piece used to be the "Peacock Throne", which was carried away to Iran by Nadir Shah in 1739. Today, the Diwan-i-Khas is only a pale shadow of its original glory, yet the famous Persian couplet inscribed on its wall reminds us of its former magnificence: "If on earth be an eden on bliss, it is this, it is this, none but this."

Hammam : On the north of the Diwan-i-Khas lies the bathroom set or Hammam, consisting of three apartments separated by corridors. The floors and dados of these apartments are built with marble, inlaid with floral patterns of multicoloured stones. The two rooms on either side of the present entrance were used.

Moti - Masjid : To the west of the Hammam lies the small mosque, called the Moti-Masjid (Pearl Mosque), built by Aurangzeb for his personal use. The prayer-hall of the mosque is inlaid with outlines of 'Musallas' (small carpets for prayers) in black marble, and it stands at a higher level than the courtyard.

Rang Mahal : Rang Mahal or the 'Palace of Colours' as it is known, 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.

Lal Quila is now a busy market place called the 'Meena Bazaar'. This bazaar has an excellent collection of antiques, miniature paintings and skillfully crafted fake ivory jewellery. The bazaar also sells some fabulous carpets beautifully woven. Just beyond the Lahori gate, is the heart of the fort called Naubat Khana, or the Drum House. Musicians used to play for the emperor from the Naubat Khana, and the arrival of princes and royalty was heralded from here.

Sound and light shows or son et lumiere as it is better known, highlighting particular phases of history are held here. The shows are in Hindi and English available at the Fort in the evening.

Alwar: Historic City with Tiger Reserve

Rajasthan the land of forts and desert is also famous for acts of bravery by the Rajput rulers. A city that is closely related with famous Maharaja Pratap Singh and was ruled by Muslims from 13th to 18th century, situated in the hills of famous Aravali moutain Range with rich forests and palaces is the Alwar. The lake surrounded city with a population of about 2 to 2.5 lakhs, is almost at equal distance from National capital [Delhi about 170 km] and state capital [Jaipur 150 km.] and is famous for the Sariska [Tiger Reserve] wild life sanctuary. Traditionally Rajasthan is hot during the summers hence the most suitable time to visit is from mid of September to Mid of March.

In the page of the history city is mentioned as the land of the people who were not with an attitude of liking the interference of external forces in their life style and dare to protest against the encroachment. Sultan Bulban [1267 -1287 A.D.] brought the area under the Muslim rule but it was bravery Kuchhwaha Rajput Maharaja Pratapsingh, who belongs to same group of families of the Jaipur rulers, made this area free from the Mughal regime and ruled with his own Kingly Status.

Among the major tourist attractions of the city some most prominent places are as follows
1] The Bala Fort
2] The City Palace
3] Government Museum
4] Sagar
5] Sariska
6] Vijay Mandir Palace

The Bala Fort: It gives you the bird’s eye vision of the city as being at the height of more than 300 mts. This fort was constructed before the establishment of Mugal Kingdom in the India. Internal carpet area of the fort can be measured as about 5km.expansion in the direction from North to south and about 1.6 km. in the direction from east to west. With the existence of 8 huge towers fort has many gates.

The City Palace: The construction is an illustration of 18th century’s Rajput and Mugal Architect. Presently used as the Museum.

Government Museum : This will take you in the era of almost 200 years back A rich and nice collection of Indian armory is on the show for you. You can also see here “Mahabharat” in paintings prepared by artists from the Alwar School. Many manuscripts in various language, Such as Persian, Arabic, Urdu and Sanskrit, including Biography of Mugal King Babar are available here.

Sagar: the back yard area of City Palace, A piece of land with lush green flora and artificial lake constructed by Maharaja Vinay Singh in 1815. Moosi Maharaj’s Chhatari, with the roof and arches of Bengali style makes the place ideal rest place for the hot summer noons.

Vijay Mandir Palace : The Palace was constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1918. During the Ramnavami place attracts thousands of visitors for the Seeta Ram Temple situated in the premises.

Sarsika: During the 50’s in India Project Tiger was started and in the 1955 area of about 770 sq.km. From Arvali range has been chosen for the wild life sanctuary. Though the whole Aravali range is worth to watch from the lenses of camera but this valley is the most pictorial part of it. Distance of just 37 km. from the city makes the place assessable. You can see here not only the Tigers but also Nilgai, Sambhar, Chetal, and four horned antelope.

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