India, Delhi ''Red Fort'', Lal Quila, Delhi

Indian history
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The king Shah Jahan shifted his capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad and
laid the foundation of the Red Fort or Lal Quila on the April 16,
1639. It took nineyears to build this strong city and I have ended
April16, 1648. It is said that about one crore rupees, anastronomical
sum in thosedays, was used for its construction. Half of this sum was
spent to build the exotic palaces within the fort. Built of red
sandstone, is octagonal, with two longer sides on the east and west.
The perimeter of the wallsis about 2.41 kilometers strong. Red Fort
stands at a height of 33.5 m on the side of the city and 18 m along
the River. Surrounded by a wide moat of the fortress, which was
originally connected with the river and was always full of water. The
two main entrances, known as Lahori Gate and Delhi Gate(so named
because they face Lahore and Delhi, respectively) are three stories
high and are flanked by semi-octagonaltowers. They are located in
central west and south sides, respectively.
The main entrance of Lal Quila is through the LahoriGate. Beyond the
door there is a covered walkway, flanked by arcaded apartments leading
to the palace, known as Chhatta Chowk. These apartments are used as
shops. Besides these, there are three doors in other places, which are
locked now. Themaster builders of the RedFort were Hamid Ahmad.
Visitors are allowed only in a part of Red Fort, as the army occupies
the restof it. Some of the main buildings inside the fort are:
Diwan-i-Am
Diwan-i-Am or Hall of Public Audience in the RedFort in Delhi.
Originally it had a patio in the front and was richly decorated with
gilded stucco. Heavy curtains hung in the main hall, which were three
bays in depth.
Hamam
Accompanying the Diwan-i-Khas, or Hall of selective hearing, the Hamam
(bath set) consists of three apartments connected by corridors. The
marble floors and are given floral designs inlaid with beautiful
colored stones.
Moti Masjid
The mosque Aurungzeb staff, Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque, located west
of Hamam. Situated on a level above the courtyard, the prayer hall of
the mosque with inlaid black marble contours of 'Musalla' (small
carpets for prayers) and is surmounted by three bulbous domes.
Mumtaz Mahal
One of the six main palaces along the river front, Mumtaz Mahal was
also known as' Chhoti Baithak. A beautiful water channel called
"Nahr-i-Bihisht '(ie, the Stream ofParadise) flew through these
palaces. However, this palace has been removed, probably because it
was totally ruined.
Naubat Naubat Khana Khana, or Naqqar Khana (which means House of the
drum), is located at the entrance of the palace area. Here the music
was played five times a day at fixed hours. It is a door called "Hathi
Pol (ElephantGate), where visitors dismounted from their elephants.

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