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Though named Red Fort as was built using red sandstone it was actually the palace fort or Shahjahanabad, the new capital of the fifth Mughal Emperor of India, Shah Jahan and took almost a decade to build.

Red Fort was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 as part of the Red Fort Complex and it literally represents a culmination or fusion of architectural traditions. The monuments including the namesake - Red Fort thrived with imported ideation technical prowess and craftsmanship a fusion of Islamic, Persian, Timurid and Hindu cultural traditions. The Red Fort Complex has been a stoic witness of it all victories of various Emperors or the theatrical impact of wars over centuries resulting into incessant bloodshed, tyranny, vandalizing, and plundering.

Just as the Red Fort has been a symbol of power since it was built right from the reign of Shah Jahan till date - Lahore (Lahori) Gate or main gate of Red Fort (Lal Quilla) has tremendous significance for all Indians especially on our Independence Day. Every 15 August since 1947 our Prime Ministers have unfurled the Indian tri-colour our National Flag at the Lahore Gate. How to reach the Red Fort Complex in Delhi India?

The Diwan-i-Am in the Red Fort of Delhi was an open open court for junta (public) - a large hall where the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (ruled between 1628 to 1656) met his junta or general public and heard their grievances.

The Diwan-i-Am front hall is open on three sides divided into many square bays by a system of columns which support the engraved arches displaying high aesthetics and excellent craftsmanship. Once the hall had its ceiling and columns painted with gold.

There is a marble dais right below the throne which was used by the erstwhile prime minister or the wazir to receive public petitions. A silver railing separated the junta from the courtiers and a gold railing separated the emperor from the courtiers. How to reach the Red Fort Complex in Delhi India?

Moti Masjid also popularly known by the British as the Pearl Mosque was built in 1659 by Aurangzeb a much later addition as a private mosque for his second wife Nawab Bai.

Moti Masjid is a three-domed mosque carved in white marble, with a three-arched screen leading down to the courtyard. How to reach the Red Fort Complex in Delhi India?

The Rang Mahal in the Red Fort, Delhi, India was one of the zenana palaces and was known as the Imtiaz Mahal during the rule of Shah Jahan. Once the ceiling was intricately designed gilded and elaborate mirror work and the walls had marble relief carvings. Much has been destroyed over centuries but you could enjoy its original grandeur in many ancient paintings. How to reach the Red Fort Complex in Delhi India?

Diwan-i-khaas at the Red Fort was constructed in 1648 and the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan received courtiers and state guests only in Diwan-i-khaas.

When you explore Diana-i-khaas you need to visualize the same in its former glory - Its a rectangular central chamber made of white marble and surrounded by arches rising from marble piers inlaid with precious stones and a silver and gold ceiling which has now been restored in wood. [All the valuables have been vandalized and plundered over centuries].

Fast scan a few Mughal paintings of the illustrious Peacock Throne that once stood in this hall towards the east side...

What you can still find at find Diwan-i-khaas is Amir Khusrow’s famous inscription on the northern and southern walls, over the two corner outer arches ‘Agar firdaus bar ru-ye zamin ast, Hamin ast-o hamin ast-o hamin ast = If there is heaven on earth, It is this, it is this, it is this! How to reach the Red Fort Complex in Delhi India?

Lahore Gate painted by Ghulam Ali Khan (1817-55) part of his 31 painting series consisting of views of monuments in and around Delhi. He was the last royal Mughal painter.

Which is the nearest airport to Red Fort Complex?
The nearest airport to Red Fort Complex would be the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi which is at a distance of about 20 km.

Which is the nearest railway station to Red Fort Complex?
The nearest railway station to Red Fort Complex would be the Old Delhi Railway Station or Delhi Junction which is at a distance of about 3 km.

Which is the nearest Metro Station to Red Fort Complex
Chandni Chowk Metro Station on the Yellow line is the nearest Metro Station to Red Fort Complex and is at a distance of about 3 km from the monuments. It is a few stops away from Samaypur Badli, Delhi part of the Yellow Metro Line that operates between Samaypur Badli, Delhi to HUDA City Centre, Gurgaon. 

Best time to visit Red Fort or Delhi is between November to February.

The tomb of Humayun was a memorial, a stupendous mausoleum commissioned and supervised by his first wife Haji Begum or Empress Bega Begum in 1565 and was completed in 1572 few years after Emperor Human’s death in 1556.

Humayun’s tomb complex is a synonym of Mughal architecture as built on a monumental scale, grandeur of design and garden setting became the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent inspiring many architectural innovations over decades even the Taj Mahal.

Note: The site of Humayun Tomb Complex was chosen on the banks of Yamuna river, due to its proximity to Nizamuddin Dargah, the mausoleum of the celebrated a Sunni Muslim scholar, Sufi saint saint of Delhi, Nizamuddin Auliya, whose vision of the world was marked by a highly evolved sense of religious pluralism and kindness. Nizamuddin Auliya’s residence, Chilla Nizamuddin Auliya lies just north-east of the tomb.

Note: During India’s Partition in August 1947 Humayun’s Tomb complex and the Purana Qila became major refugee camps for Muslims migrating to the newly founded Pakistan and over years caused extensive damage till the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), took on responsibility for its preservation. How to Reach Humayun’s Tomb Complex, Delhi India?

Pashtun (Afghan) noble Isa Khan Niazi was a part of the ruling family and served Sher Shah Suri, founder of the Suri empire. Sher Shah Suri took control of the Mughal empire in 1538 forcing Emperor Humayun out of India.

Note - Isa Khan's tomb was built during his lifetime (1547-48 AD) and is located near the Humayun's Tomb complex in Delhi which was built later (1562-1571). 

Sher Shah Suri the founder of the Suri Empire, with its capital in Sasaram or modern-day Bihar introduced the currency of rupee. Rupee known as Rūpiya was a silver coin weighing 11.53 grams minted in northern India by first Sher Shah Suri during his short rule between 1540 and 1545 and the same was standardized later by the Mughals. And the silver coin remained in use during the Mughal period, Maratha era as well as in British India. How to Reach Humayun’s Tomb Complex, Delhi India?

Right across from the Isa Khan’s tomb, lies Isa Khan’s Mosque with its mihrabs.

Mihrabs are a relevant part of Islamic culture and mosques as they indicate the direction for prayer and serve through its geometric designs, linear patterns, or calligraphy a religious purpose or focus. Calligraphic notations on the mihrabs are usually from the Quran with the belief - that God's word reaches the people. How to Reach Humayun’s Tomb Complex, Delhi India?

Shams ud-Din Iltutmish, (ruled between 1211–1236) was the third king who ruled the Delhi Sultanate. His tomb was built in 1235 where the main cenotaph is white marble placed on a raised platform in the centre of the chamber. One can see exquisite carvings both at the entrance and the interior walls. Mihrab or the prayer niche is located near the interior west wall.

Note: Iltutmish was sold as a slave when young boy and was later ‘purchased’ around the 1190s, by the Ghurid slave-commander Qutb al-Din Aibak (who himself was a slave to Ghurid Emperor Mu'izz ad-Din). Iltutmish rose to prominence in Aibak's service, and his bravery gained him relief from slavery as Ghurid Emperor Mu'izz ad-Din manumitted him even before his master Aibak was manumitted.

Aibak ruled Ghurid territories after Mu'izz ad-Din's death in 1206, and after Aibak's death, Iltutmish dethroned his successor Aram Shah in 1211, and set up his capital at Delhi. He married a daughter of Aibak and gained control over much of the territory that had been lost after Aibak's death. How to Reach Humayun’s Tomb Complex, Delhi India?

Which is the nearest airport to Humayun Tomb Complex?
The nearest nearest airport to Humayun Tomb Complex would be the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi which is at a distance of about 17 km.

Which is the nearest railway station to Humayun Tomb Complex?
The nearest railway station to Humayun Tomb Complex would be the Nizamuddin Railway Station which is at a distance of about 2.1 km.

Which is the nearest Metro Station to Humayun Tomb Complex?
JLN Stadium on the Violet Metro Line is the nearest Metro Station to Humayun Tomb Complex and is at a distance of 2.4 km from the monuments. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Metro Station is few stops away from the starting station - Kashmere Gate on the Violet Metro Line.

Best time to visit Humayun Tomb Complex or Delhi is between November to February.

I did not know that there was a Qutb complex till I started researching on Delhi UNESCO monuments - many monuments built around Qutub Minar (Victory tower) which was built to commemorate the victory of Islam or precisely to celebrate the victory of Muhammad Ghori over the Rajput king, Prithviraj Chauhan, in 1192 AD, by his then General, Qutb-ud-din Aibak, who is the first ruler of Delhi Sultanate.

The Qutb Minar is inspired by the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan, which is an important example of early Afghan architecture. The Qutb Minar built using red sandstone and marble is 72.5 meter high, has five distinct storey’s and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with surrounding buildings and monuments.

Note: Whilst the construction of Qutub Minar was commenced by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, in the end of 12th century - however he could only build the first storey. Many have added to the monument over centuries. It was further enhanced by Aibak's successor and son-in-law Shamsuddin Iltutmish who added three storeys. In 1369, a lightning strike destroyed the top storey and Firoz Shah Tughlaq than ruler had the damaged storey replaced, and added one more storey. In 1505, an earthquake damaged Qutub Minar; it was repaired by Sikander Lodi.

On 1 September 1803, a major earthquake caused serious damage to the Qutub Minar and the then British Governor-General of India , Lord Wellesly authorized Major Robert Smith to carry out the necessary repairs. Repairs were completed by 1828 just that Major Smith exceeded his brief had replaced an Indo-Islamic cupola with and capped the Qutub Minar with a Hindu chattri style cupola. Since it was out of place Governor General Lord Hardinge eventually had it taken down in 1848 and Smith’s Folly can now be found in the outer lawns of the Qutub Complex, where it still lies till date.

Iconic Qutub Minar is surrounded by several historically significant monuments that form the Qutb complex including Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque or the Qutub Mosque, Alai Darwaza,, Iron Pillar - world’s metallurgical curiosity, Tomb of Iltutmish, Tomb of Alauddin Khilji, the Zafar Mahal, the Jahaz Mahal, Sanderson's Sundial, Major Smith's Cupola…

Minaret of Jam built in 1190 is fairly inaccessible and located in Ghor Province of western Afghanistan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Minaret of Jam is made-up of baked bricks and is well-known for its exquisite brick, stucco and glazed tile decoration including calligraphy, geometric patterns, and verses from the Quran. How to reach the Qutub Minar in Delhi India?

(Delhi is one of the longest-serving capitals and one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world.)

Which is the nearest airport to Qutub Minar?
The nearest nearest airport to Qutub Minar would be the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi which is at a distance of about 13 km.

Which is the nearest nearest railway station to Qutub Minar?
The nearest nearest railway station to Qutub Minar would be the Old Delhi Railway Station or Delhi Junction which is at a distance of about 18 km.

Which is the nearest Metro Station to Qutub Minar?
Qutab Minar Metro Station is just a few stops from HUDA City Centre, Gurgaon part of the Yellow Metro Line of the Delhi Metro that consists of 37 metro stations from Samaypur Badli,Delhi to HUDA City Centre, Gurgaon.

Best time to visit Qutub Minar or Delhi is between November to February.