GK: When Was The Red Fort Built? History & Significance Of The Iconic Monument

A powerful car explosion near the Red Fort in Old Delhi at around 6:55 pm on November 10, 2025 shook the entire city. (File Photo)

Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan decided to make Delhi his capital in 1638. He relocated from Agra to Delhi and ordered the construction of a new and magnificent fort on the site of the old Salimgarh Fort. Its foundation stone was laid on April 29, 1638. Thousands of labourers toiled day and night, bringing red sandstone and marble. Finally, in 1648, the fort was completed. It took ten years to complete. In those days, completing such a massive project without machinery was no small feat. Shah Jahan’s goal was to make Delhi a strong centre of the Mughals, and this fort became a symbol of that.

Initially, the fort was located along the banks of the Yamuna River, but today, due to encroachment and city expansion, the river has been pushed away. The fort spans 250 acres and its walls are 2.5 kilometers long. Its height is 18 meters on the Yamuna side and 33 meters on the Chandni Chowk side.

The fort once had six gates, but now only three remain: the Lahore Gate (main entrance), the Delhi Gate, and the Khizri Gate. Entering through the Lahore Gate, you’ll find the Chatta Chowk, a vaulted hall housing shops. Climbing up, you can reach the palaces via the Datuada Marg. Behind it lies a large marble canopy, where Shah Jahan’s throne sat. Meetings were held here. The walls are inlaid with multicoloured stones—flowers, leaves, and birds—and above, the Greek god Orpheus playing a flute. Inside, there are rows of palaces. At the southern end, the Mumtaz Mahal is made of marble, with six rooms and a basement.

Nearby, the Rang Mahal, adorned with paintings, features marble chairs in the north and south rooms. Here, too, is the Sheesh Mahal, a palace studded with tiny mirrors that transform the light of lamps into thousands of flames. The Paradise Canal flowed in the centre, featuring a marble cistern and an ivory fountain. There was a waterfall on the northern wall, and water kept overflowing in the conch-shaped pond.

At that time, the total cost of building the Red Fort was around Rs 1 crore. By today’s standards, it would be worth billions and trillions, but at that time, it was too much for the king’s treasury. It was named Red Fort because of the red stones, but its original name was Qila-e-Mubarak. The special thing is that initially it was white. It was plastered with limestone. When it fell with time, the British got it painted red. Some historians say that the red sandstone was the reason behind naming it Red Fort. There are also differences on what name Shah Jahan had given it. It is said that the British destroyed some parts of the interior.

Since India gained independence on August 15, 1947, the Indian Prime Minister has hoisted the flag here every year. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 2007. Millions of tourists visit the site every year, but today’s blast has shocked everyone.

Blast Near Red Fort On November 10

A powerful car explosion near the Red Fort in Old Delhi at around 6:55 pm on November 10, 2025 shook the entire city. A car parked near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station suddenly exploded, causing a fire that destroyed three or four nearby vehicles. According to Delhi Police, nine people have been reported dead and more than 24 injured. Many of the injured have been admitted to LNJP Hospital, where security has been tightened. Following this incident, the Red Fort is in the headlines. This raises the question: when was this Red Fort, our pride for centuries, built? How long did it take to complete, and how much did it cost at the time?

Reports indicate that the blast near the Red Fort Metro Gate was so powerful that it shattered nearby streetlights. Windows shattered, and vibrations were felt up to 700-900 meters away. An eyewitness described it as if an earthquake had struck, shaking the ground. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha stated that the blast occurred in a car stopped at a red light, and an investigation is underway. Forensic teams are on the scene. The entire area has been sealed off. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the situation and spoke with Home Minister Amit Shah. In addition to Delhi, a high alert has been issued in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Uttar Pradesh. Police have increased checking at all checkpoints. This incident is even more concerning because it occurred near a historical site like the Red Fort.