Red Fort, National Capital Territory of Delhi, India

5singhasam 5:00 PM Nov 20, 2022

History on a vast scale
WHEN your guide tells you that the Red Fort site in New Delhi covers ten square kilometres you wonder how you are going to have the strength to get round it all. Then he tells you that most of the site is out of bounds because the Indian Army are based there and the public can only view two square kilometres. I relaxed a little at that news but by the end of my visit I was exhausted from a tremendous amount of walking and climbing up and down steps. The Red Fort really is a gigantic construction with walls 100ft high and a network of interlocking passages for defence. Work to build the fort began in 1638 and was completed in 1648 Just the walk to the entrance was a taste of things to come as we passed along the base of the wall with its grassy moat ditch. Even here the legacy of Covid reared its head because once we got inside we found that all the waterways were dry, emptied on the order of the Indian Government as part of its attempts to combat Covid. It meant visitors had to imagine what the true setting would have been like with platforms for musicians surrounded by water and channels of water tinkling everywhere. There were harems, hamams, areas set aside for justice, cannons, holes for other weapons and a host of other features. To reach this rich display we had to walk through a sort of covered bazaar of stalls offerings everything from chess sets and backgammon boards to carved stone in 64 arched bays, half on each side. I particularly liked the Hall of Public Audience or Diwan-i-Am with its lovely carved stone, a marble throne area and the stunning palace area with carved marble inlaid with semi-precious stones which was truly beautiful. It is a very tiring site to visit and those going there should make sure they have bottled water with them as those sections in the open quickly become quite hot. Definitely worth a visit by anyone who is in New Delhi.

4David B 5:00 PM Mar 4, 2023

Which Museum?
The Red Fort is a must see in Delhi. However beware of the pricing structure before you go in. Basic entry is 600 rupees for foreigners (small discount if you use your card) with the option of paying 350 rupees to see the museum inside the fort. However once in you discover that there is another and to be honest far superior museum on the history of the fort and Old Delhi which will cost you 200 rupees, a price well worth paying. The museum that is part of the Red Fort ticket is on the First War of Independence which is very interesting but very dated and probably not really worth the money. There's not an awful lot to see inside the fort, but enough to pass a couple of hours.