Location: The Red Fort is based on a 255-acre of land near the western bank of the Yamuna. The Chandni Chowk of Old Delhi ends at the vicinity of Red Fort. The business district of Connaught Place is located a few miles north of the fort.
Price: The entry ticket price of Red Fort is Rd 35 for native Indian citizens. For foreigners, the tickets are priced at Rs 500. If you opt for the light and sound show at the Red Fort, it will cost you Rs 60 per adult person, while for children, it is Rs 20 per head. During the weekend, the ticket prices vary a bit. For adults, it is Rs 80 and Rs 30 for kids.
Timing: The Red Fort remains open every day from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. The fort, however, remains closed on Mondays. Check out the Delhi Tourism website for any change of the entry and exit timings of this tourist venue depending on special national events or so.
The architecture of Red Fort
The Red Fort has an area of around 255 acres that are enclosed by 2.42km of defensive walls. The walls are punctuated by bastions and turrets both on the riverside and the city side. The shape of the fort is octagonal with a longer north-south axis and shorter east-west axis.
The double dome, the intricate marble carvings, and floral decorations with colorful stones reflect the symbol of the typical Mughal architectural style. The Red Fort is the perfect amalgamation of India, Persian and European styles of architecture. It is rich in terms of color, expression, and form. There are multiple entries to the fort. Lahori Gate is the one through which common people used to enter the fort during the reign of the Mughals.
As you enter through this gate, you will end up reaching a huge barrel vault structured shopping area-like complex which is known as Chatta Chowk. This place used to be the market to cater to the needs of the higher-ranked Mughal women who used to stay inside the fort. The walls, the ramparts, and the main gates are the most surviving structures of the Red Fort.
Light and Sound Show
The famous light and sound show at the Red Fort is a one-hour audiovisual show that portrays the history of Delhi as well as the fort. The show starts with the tale of how Emperor Shah Jahan chose the place for the huge fort to be built and how the rulers of the Mughal dynasty tried to save the fort as well as India from invaders of different countries. The show also describes the fort’s significance during the Indian freedom movement. Some portion of the speeches of freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi and Chandra Sekhar Azad has been used in the audio clippings. The show ends with a speech by the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru and finally playing of the National Anthem.
The shows are presented in English and Hindi. The Hindi show starts around 6 pm from November to January, while the English show begins at 7.30 pm. Each show begins around half an hour later as the season changes between September and August.
Tips For Visiting Red Fort
If you are a history enthusiast and want to explore the rich tradition, heritage, and splendor of this gigantic Mughal monument, follow these tips during your trip to the Red Fort.1. The fort opens at 9.30 am every day, except on Mondays. So reach early to the site to avoid the crowd and have ample time to visit all the nooks and corners of this huge monument.
2. If you are visiting the place during summer, try to equip yourself with a water bottle, an umbrella and a hand-held fan as the summer in Delhi can be really scorching and unbearable, even at the start of the day.
3. Generally, a tourist does not need a guide at the Red Fort as the site has sufficient markings and signs with detailed explanations about the particular architecture you are visiting. However, if you still feel you need to hire a guide for a better understanding, you should go for those registered with the government.
4. If you are visiting the fort, there is no point in missing out on the light and sound show. So arrange your timing at the site accordingly so that you can get the best of your visit.
