Red Fort

The decision for constructing the Red Fort which is also known as Lal Qila was made in 1639, when Shah Jahan decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi. Within eight years, Shahjahanabad was completed with the Red Fort-Qila-i-Mubarak (fortunate citadel) — Delhi's seventh fort — ready in all its magnificence to receive the Emperor. Lal Qila was once the residential area of the Imperial Family of India. It was the capital of the Mughal rulers until 1857, when Bahadur Shah Zafar II went in exile after he was defeated by the Britishers.

During the British colonial rule, this fort was mainly used as a cantonment, which remained under the control of Indian Army after Indian Independence. This fort has various structures including Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Nahr-i-Behisht, Zenana, Mumtaz Mahal, Moti Masjid and Hayat Bakhsh Bagh. Red Fort also houses a famous Swatantra Sangrama Sangrahalaya or the Museum of the Independence Movement.

Though much has changed with the large-scale demolitions during the British occupation of the fort, its important structures have survived.On every independence day the Flag of India is hoisted by the Prime Minister of India here.

In 2007, Red Fort was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Salimgarh Fort

Bahadur Shah Gate and Salimgarh Fort Gate
Bahadurshah gate linking Red Fort and Salimgarh Fort through the arched bridge	Entry Gate to Salimgarh Fort (renamed as Swatantrata Senani Smarak

Salimgarh Fort, which is now part of the Red Fort complex, was constructed on an island of the Yamuna River in 1546. But a gate called the Bahadur Shahi Gate for entry into the Fort from the northern side was constructed only in 1854-55 by Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mogul ruler of India. The gate was built in brick masonry with moderate use of red sandstone. The fort was used during the Uprising in 1857 and also as a prison which housed Zebunnisa daughter of Aurangzeb and the British imprisoned the freedom fighters of the INA. The layout of the Red Fort was organized to retain and integrate this site with the Salimgarh Fort through the Bahadur Shah Gate. The fort has been renamed as Swatantrata Senani Smarak and a plaque at the entrance to the fort attests to this.

The Qutub Minar is located in Mehrauli in South Delhi. It was built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak of the Slave Dynasty, who took possession of Delhi in 1206. It is a fluted red sandstonetower, which tapers up to a height of 72.5 meters and is covered with intricate carvings and verses from the Qur'an. Qutub-ud-din Aibak began constructing this victory tower as a sign of Muslim domination of Delhi and as a minaret for the muezzin to call the faithful to prayer. However, only the first story was completed by Qutub-ud-din. The other stories were built by his successor Iltutmish. The two circular stories in white marble were built by Ferozshah Tughlaq in 1368, replacing the original fourth story.

The balconies in the tower are supported by exquisite stalactite designs. The tapering tower has pointed and circular flutings on the first storey and star- shaped ones on the second and third stories.

The Qutub Minar is also significant for what it represents in the history of Indian culture. In many ways, the Qutub Minar, the first monument built by a Muslim ruler in India, heralded the beginning of a new style of art and architecture that came to be known as the Indo-Islamic style. Other monuments around the Qutub complex, are Jamaali Kamaali mosque and tombs, Balban's tomb and Adham Khan's Tomb.