Delhi, the capital city of India, is presently home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb. The moot question being asked now is whether the city of Delhi itself should be accorded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO or not. This dream is on verge of being fulfilled in future as a list of Delhi’s imperial capital cities has already been presented to the World Heritage Center for being in the world heritage list. The submission of dossier was made in January 2014. The evaluation process would take around two years, and only after being critically examined Delhi will be accorded the status of world heritage site by the World Heritage Committee.
 
Red Fort is a prominent UNESCO World Heritage Site in Delhi. Before planning your visit to Delhi, here’s all that you would like to know about this place. Red Fort is the first stop on the sightseeing itinerary on every foreign tourist visiting Delhi. This largest monument in Delhi and India’s oldest has been a prime attraction since decades and attracting tourists in a big way year after year. The Red Fort was accorded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2007.

The glorious Red Fort has been a witness to the rise and fall of Mughal empires in India. This massive monument aptly chronicles the tales and intrigues of the Mughal era. The Red Fort was constructed during Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s reign. The fort, which essentially formed the nucleus of walled city of Old Delhi, was occupied by Bahadur Shah Zafar, India’s last Mughal Emperor.    The Red Fort, however, fell into the hands of British colonial rulers during 1857 uprising against them and Bahadur Shah Zafar was finally captured and imprisoned.

Shah Jahan, the 5th Mughal Emperor of India, got the Red Fort constructed during 17th century when the foundation of Shahjahanabad, the 7th city of Delhi, was laid after the capital was transferred from Agra to Delhi. The Red Fort was also called ‘Lal Qila’ or ‘Qila-e-Mubarak’, and served royal family members as their residence. The huge fort took nine years to build, and interestingly the construction started as well as completed in the same month and same day. The construction of the fort began on 16th April 1639 and completed on 16th April 1648. It is popularly called Red Fort because the red sandstone was extensively used to build it. The Red Fort was built adjoining the fort of Salimgarh, which was constructed in 1546 by Islam Shah Suri. The Salimgarh fort is now a part of Red Fort complex.

The Red Fort is home to many attractions such as Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Moti Masjid and Hayat Baksh Bagh. The public meetings were held by the Mughal emperors at Diwan-i-Aam or ‘Hall of Public Audience’. The Diwan-i-Khas or ‘Hall of Private Audience’ was used for holding meetings with aristocracies, dignitaries and court members. The Peacock Throne adorned the marble dice here, which was ultimately stolen by the Persian invader Nadir Shah.

The Red Fort is presently a prominent landmark in India from whose ramparts the National Flag is unfurled by the Prime Minister of the country every year. This must-see destination shouldn’t be missed out in any case while on your visit to India.