Shah Jahan's mighty red-sandstone fort —. The stage for India's Independence Day.
Red Fort is in Delhi. Entry is ₹35 for Indian visitors. It opens about 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Mondays. The best time is Morning is coolest. Chandni Chowk's food lanes are right beside it.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | 1638–1648 |
| Built by | Emperor Shah Jahan |
| Style | Mughal (red sandstone) |
| Status | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Location | Old Delhi |
The Red Fort. Or Lal Qila. Was the palace-fort of Shah Jahan's new capital, Shahjahanabad. Built between 1638 and 1648 in red sandstone. It held the emperors' halls, gardens and private quarters.
Every Independence Day. India's Prime Minister raises the national flag. Addresses the nation from its ramparts. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the heart of Old Delhi.
Sources: Red Fort — Delhi Tourism · Red Fort — Wikipedia · UNESCO — Red Fort Complex.
What makes it special, and what to look for.
Key facts and figures — every data point links to its source.
| Detail | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 254 acres (103 ha) | Wikipedia |
| Wall length | 2.41 km (1.5 mi) | Wikipedia |
| Wall height | 18–33 m | Wikipedia |
| Built | 13 May 1638 – 6 April 1648 | Wikipedia |
| Built by | Emperor Shah Jahan | Wikipedia |
| Plan | Octagonal | Wikipedia |
| Material | Red sandstone | Wikipedia |
| UNESCO listing | 2007 | UNESCO |
| Role today | Independence Day flag site | Wikipedia |
| Main gates | Lahori & Delhi | Wikipedia |
| Diwan-i-Khas | Held the Peacock Throne | Wikipedia |
| City | Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi) | Wikipedia |
| Water feature | Nahr-i-Bihisht channel | Wikipedia |
The fort spans 254 acres. Its walls run 2.41 kilometres. They rise 18 to 33 metres.
Shah Jahan built it from 1638. Work finished in 1648. Red sandstone gives it its name.
The plan is broadly octagonal. Marble palaces line the river side. Water channels once cooled them.
British troops razed many inner buildings. This followed the 1857 revolt. Barracks replaced the lost courts.
UNESCO listed the fort in 2007. The Prime Minister raises the flag here. It happens each Independence Day.
A stream of paradise once ran here. It threaded the marble palaces. The Nahr-i-Bihisht cooled the rooms.
The Kohinoor diamond once shone here. It sat in the Peacock Throne. Nadir Shah carried both away in 1739.
Sources: Red Fort — Delhi Tourism · Red Fort — Wikipedia · UNESCO — Red Fort Complex.
Room by room, and detail by detail.
Sources: Red Fort — Delhi Tourism · Red Fort — Wikipedia · UNESCO — Red Fort Complex.
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1638 | Shah Jahan begins his new capital. |
| 1648 | The Red Fort is completed. |
| 1739 | Nadir Shah loots the fort. |
| 1857 | The fort falls after the revolt. |
| 1947 | India's flag is raised here. |
| 2007 | UNESCO inscribes the Red Fort. |
Sources: Red Fort — Delhi Tourism · Red Fort — Wikipedia · UNESCO — Red Fort Complex.
Fees and timings change from time to time. Confirm on the official site before you go.
| Visitor | Ticket |
|---|---|
| Indian | ₹35 |
| SAARC / BIMSTEC | ₹35 |
| Foreign tourist | ₹500 |
| Children under 15 | Free |
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | About 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. |
| Weekly closing | Closed on Mondays. |
| Best time to visit | Morning is coolest. Chandni Chowk's food lanes are right beside it. |
| How long to allow | Allow about two hours, more with the museums. |
Sources: Red Fort — Delhi Tourism · Red Fort — Wikipedia · UNESCO — Red Fort Complex.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Nearest metro | Lal Qila (Violet Line) or Chandni Chowk (Yellow Line) |
| Nearby | Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk are a short walk |
| Mode | Best for | Book / source |
|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Air | Reaching Delhi from afar | IndiGo |
| 🚆 Rail | Trains across India | IRCTC |
| 🚕 Taxi / app cab | Door-to-door comfort | Uber / Ola |
| 🛺 Auto-rickshaw | Short local hops | meter / app |
Plan around India's seasons. Morning is coolest. Chandni Chowk's food lanes are right beside it.
| Season | Weather | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 🍂 Oct–Mar | Cool, dry, pleasant | Best time to visit |
| ☀️ Apr–Jun | Hot on the plains | Go early; carry water |
| 🌧️ Jul–Sep | Warm, monsoon showers | Fewer crowds, green views |
Base yourself in Delhi to visit with ease. It has stays for every budget. Book ahead in the cool season. Compare hotels on Booking.com. Find homes on Airbnb. See our Delhi guide for the best areas.
Do Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk the same morning.
Plan around it — a common trip mistake.
Arrive at opening time. You beat crowds, and heat.
A good guide brings the history alive.
Shade can be limited here.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 🎫 Entry (Indian) | ₹35 |
| 🎫 Entry (foreign) | Free |
| 🧑🏫 Local guide | ₹300–800 for a tour |
| 📷 Camera / video | Often a small extra fee |
| 🚕 Transport | ₹100–500 by auto or cab |
Costs are indicative. Confirm official rates on site.
Pair Red Fort with sights close by. Together they make a full, rewarding day. Start early to beat the crowds and heat.
Indian visitors pay ₹35 and foreign visitors around ₹500. Under-15s are free.
It is open about 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Is closed on Mondays.
Yes, it is closed every Monday.
It was the Mughal palace-fort. Is where India's PM addresses the nation each Independence Day.
About two hours, more if you explore the museums.
Nearest metro: Lal Qila (Violet Line) or Chandni Chowk (Yellow Line); Nearby: Jama Masjid. Chandni Chowk are a short walk.
Morning is coolest. Chandni Chowk's food lanes are right beside it.
Yes. Shah Jahan's mighty red-sandstone fort —. The stage for India's Independence Day.
You can also visit Qutub Minar, India Gate, Delhi guide.
Stay in Delhi. See our Delhi guide.
Keep exploring around Delhi.
