Red Fort

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"text": "The Red Fort is a massive historic fortress in Old Delhi, India.

Its name, Lal Qila, comes from the red sandstone used for its walls. It served as the main home for the Mughal emperors for many years. The fort was the centerpiece of a city called Shahjahanabad. Today, it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It remains a powerful symbol of Indian national identity.\n\nThe fort features a unique mix of Persian and Indian architectural styles. The design is attributed to Ustad Ahmad Lahori. He was the same architect who designed the Taj Mahal. The fort straddles the Yamuna River. In the past, the river helped feed the moats around the walls. The boundary walls are asymmetrical. This design was chosen to include the older Salimgarh Fort within the walls.

\n\nEmperor Shah Jahan commissioned the construction of the fort. He decided to move the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Construction began on May 13, 1638, during the month of Muharram. The project was supervised by the Emperor himself. It was completed on April 6, 1648. Originally, the fort was decorated in red and white. The imperial family also called it the \"Blessed Fort,\" or Qila-i-Mubarak.

\n\nLater, Emperor Aurangzeb added new features to the complex. He built the Moti Masjid, which means Pearl Mosque, near the private quarters. He also built barbicans in front of the two main gates. These structures created a more winding path to the palace. However, the Mughal Empire began to decline after his death. During the 18th century, the palace began to lose its strength. Many different groups fought to control the fort during this era.\n\nIn 1739, the Persian emperor Nadir Shah invaded the fort. He defeated a Mughal army of about 200,000 soldiers. After his victory, he plundered the fort for its riches. He seized many treasures, including the legendary Peacock Throne. Later, the Marathas also fought for control of the area. In 1760, they even melted the silver ceiling of the Diwan-i-Khas. They needed funds to defend Delhi from the armies of Ahmed Shah Durrani.

\n\nThe British eventually took control of the fort after the Second Anglo-Maratha War. The last Mughal emperor to live there was Bahadur Shah Zafar. He became a symbol of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Following the rebellion, British authorities demolished much of the fort. They destroyed about 80% of the original structures. They removed the gardens and the harem apartments. In their place, they built stone barracks for soldiers.

Only the marble buildings on the east side survived mostly intact.\n\nOn August 15, 1947, the fort became a site of great celebration. This was India's first Independence Day. The first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, raised the national flag at the Lahori Gate.

Since then, the Prime Minister has raised the flag there every year. He also delivers a nationally broadcast speech from the ramparts. [IMAGE:File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressing the Nation on the occasion of 76th Independence Day, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the 76th Independence Day, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of Red Fort, in Delhi, on the ramparts of