Red Fort

The Red Fort, or Lal Qila, is the walled Mughal citadel of Old Delhi, begun by the emperor Shah Jahan in 1639 when he moved his capital from Agra and completed in 1648. Its design is attributed to Ustad Ahmad Lahori, the architect also credited with the Taj Mahal, and its red sandstone walls run for more than two kilometres.

The Red Fort was the seat of Mughal power for about two centuries. In 1739 the Persian ruler Nadir Shah sacked Delhi and carried off the jewelled Peacock Throne from its halls. After the uprising of 1857 the British tried the last emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, here and exiled him, and turned much of the fort into barracks. Since 1947 the Prime Minister has raised the national flag over the Lahori Gate every Independence Day. UNESCO listed the Red Fort in 2007.

What to see

• The Lahori Gate and Chhatta Chowk, a covered Mughal bazaar
• The Diwan-i-Aam, where the emperor heard the public
• The white marble Diwan-i-Khas, once home to the Peacock Throne
• The Rang Mahal and the royal baths
• The small Moti Masjid, added by Aurangzeb
• The museums inside the fort

What to wear

The Red Fort has no religious dress code, but modest clothing suits Old Delhi. Wear comfortable walking shoes; the grounds are large. From April to June Delhi often passes 40°C, so bring a hat, sunscreen and water; December and January mornings are cold and foggy, so layer up. In Delhi you will see women in salwar kameez and sarees and men in kurta pyjama, especially at festivals and weddings.

Local food to try

The Red Fort stands at the head of Chandni Chowk, the best food street in Delhi. Try stuffed paranthas in Paranthe Wali Gali, hot jalebi, dahi bhalla and kachori, all vegetarian. Near Jama Masjid the lanes serve halal Mughlai food: nihari, kebabs and mutton korma.

Good to know

• Best from October to March; arrive early to beat the crowds
• Open daily, including Mondays, since February 2026
• About ₹35 for Indians and ₹550 for foreigners; book online to skip queues
• Allow two to three hours
• Lal Qila metro station is beside the fort; about 6 km from Connaught Place
• Bags are screened; drones and large tripods are not allowed

Nearby places

The Red Fort is a short walk from Jama Masjid and the lanes of Chandni Chowk, so all three fit into one Old Delhi morning. Connaught Place is about 20 minutes away by metro.