All about Red Fort, the venue of the Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech
Delhi was the capital of power of the Mughal Sultanate and the Red Fort became its center. For the British, it was also a symbol of dissent; they tried to destroy it and almost did. But today, the fort is a symbol of India’s sovereignty and unity
All about Red Fort, the venue of the Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech
Built in the 17th century by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, this temple Red Fort Originally built as the palace fort of Shahjahanabad, the new capital of the Emperor of India. It is a marvel of architectural brilliance, so named because of its imposing red sandstone walls, and reflects the grandeur of the Mughal era, which was at its peak during this period. The fort’s architecture is a combination of Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions, and has garden design that later influenced other structures in and around Delhi. Along with Salimgarh, an older fort built in 1546 by Islam Shah Suri, it forms the Red Fort complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Red Fort. Credit: Canva
Why was Delhi important before independence?
The city was the centre of power of the Mughal Sultanate, even though Akbar had moved his capital to Agra for a short time. With Shah Jahan, power returned to Delhi, and the Red Fort, the citadel of Shahjahanabad (today’s Old Delhi), became its centre. And it eventually played a key role in the Revolt of 1857, when it became one of the centres of the rebels. It was within its walls that the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar II was captured, marking the end of Mughal rule in India.
Prime Minister Nehru at the Red Fort on August 15, 1947. Photo: Wikimedia/IndianExpress
The British nearly destroyed the Red Fort to suppress the revolt, and built their own structure in its place. They later built a new city around the area after shifting their capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911, relegating the Red Fort to the recesses of history, until a year before India’s independence, officers of Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army were tried within the fort’s walls. It was in this context that India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, decided to hoist the flag at the Red Fort in 1947.
Since India’s independence, the Red Fort has been the chosen venue for the Prime Minister’s annual national flag parade. Independence Day address. This tradition began with Nehru and has been followed by every Prime Minister since then. The ramparts of the fort have witnessed countless promises, achievements and aspirations of the nation. Today, the Red Fort symbolises India’s sovereignty and unity and as the venue for the Independence Day speech, cements its status as a cherished national heritage.
The Red Fort has been the venue for all Independence Day celebrations since 1947
What to see inside the Red Fort?
The Red Fort’s museums were redeveloped by a private company under the government’s ‘Adopt a Heritage’ scheme. But the structure and feel are almost the same. You’ll enter through the Lahore Gate and step into the bustling Meena Bazaar, once the royal shopping area. Next up is the Naubat Khana, which now houses the War Memorial Museum. There’s the grand Diwan-i-Aam, the emperor’s public audience hall, and you can also see the remains of the royal living quarters, including the opulent Diwan-i-Khas. The Red Fort also houses archeological and art museums, which showcase the fort’s history and India’s artistic heritage. Don’t miss the recently opened Kranti Mandir, dedicated to India’s freedom fighters.
Also read: Unique places to escape the crowds for the Independence Day long weekend
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