Red fort or Lal Qila is a famous tourist place in Delhi,India. Its beautiful architecture and the historical significance that it carries attracts many visitors everyday. Every year on 15 August the day India achieved independence from the British, Prime Minister hoists the national flag here, followed by a nationally broadcast speech from its ramparts.

These are some of the interesting nuggets about the historic Red Fort.
1 Mughal emperor shah jahan built this massive fort when he transferred the capital from Agra to Delhi. The construction of this monument began in the month of Muharran on 13 may, 1638. It took ten years to complete the construction in 1648.

2 The fort is located beside the river Yamuna. A massive wall was built around the fort to protect it from the external attacks. The wall is build of red sand stone. That is why the fort is called red fort. The fort have two entrances- Lahore gate and Delhi gate. The shape of this fort is octagon and it covers 256 acres of land.

3 Inside the fort there are many beautiful architectures and buildings - Diwan-e-aam (the hall of public audience ), Diwan-e-khas (the hall of private audience ), rang mahal (the house of emperors wives), moti masjid, peacock throne. The famous Kohinoor diamond was a part of the peacock throne.

4 Red Fort was originally white. The British painted it red. As per reports, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), while restoring the fort, has found traces of Mughal lime plaster on some parts of the fort. The original plaster is believed to have either faded or painted over by the British.

5Shah jahan when comes to delhi after ruling Agra laid the foundation stone of Red Fort Delhi in 1618 and finally it's inaugration was done in 1647.

6 Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor was declared emperor of India by the revolters IN 1857 when Indian soldiers rebelled against India.

7 Tourists enter, and for that matter the Prime Minister addresses the nation from a place interestingly called, the Lahore Gate. There is a Delhi Gate too, but it is its poorer and lesser known cousin. No less well crafted and grand, it is at the left side of the fort when you enter through the Lahore Gate. Most people miss it, but its worth a look. Interesting observation, the tricolor flutters atop the Lahore Gate :)

8The buildings East India Company built inside the fort was where, armed forces officers who defected to the Indian National Army were tried, courtmarshalled and sentenced.

9 The 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.

10 Emperor Shah Jahaan's royal seat stood in Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), made of solid gold frame and studded with precious stones such as rubies, emeralds, pearls and diamonds including the world’s largest, the Kohinoor.
It was pilfered by Nadir Shah, the ‘Persian Napoleon’. After passing several hands, it is now part of England’s royal Crown Jewels collection.