Independence Day 2018: 10 fascinating facts about historic Red Fort in the heart of national capital

The Red Fort, one of the magnificent historical forts of the country, with glorious past and rich culture in the heart of national capital New Delhi, is a major traditional landmark and great tourist attraction. On Wednesday, August 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort to mark the 72nd Independence Day of India. Its been 71 years since the country's prime minister has been addressing the people of the nation and hoisting the Tricolour from here on Independence Day. This tradition has been continuing since the first Independence Day of India in 1947, August 15.

Hence, here we bring you a few lesser known facts about the historic Red Fort, which glorifies the streets of Chandni Chowk with rich Indian culture:

1. The Red Fort was originally white!

Though the historic fort is called the Red Fort, but it was originally built with white colour. As per the Archaeological Survey of India, parts of the building were made of lime stone. When the white stone started chipping off, the building was painted red by the British.

2. The fort owes its name to the boundary walls

The high boundary walls were meant to provide maximum security to the royals. Since it was constructed in red stone and bricks the British called it Red Fort, and the natives translated it to the Lal Qila.

3. The Red Fort used to be called Qila-e-Mubarak

The Red Fort as we know it, was actually called Qila-e-Mubarak or the blessed fort. The monument was constructed when Mughal emperor Shah Jahan decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi.

4. It took 10 long years to build the Red Fort

It is quite obvious that with limited machinery, construction in those days took longer. But 10 years! Ustad Hamid and Ustad Ahmed, the pioneering architects of Shah Jahan's time, started the construction in 1638 and finally completed it in 1648.

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5. The Kohinoor diamond was part of the furniture

The Kohinoor diamond was actually part of Shah Jahan's throne. Made of solid gold and studded with precious stones, the extravagant royal seat stood in Diwan-i-Khas (the hall of private audience), flaunting the world's largest diamond.

6. The main entrance of the fort is called the Lahore gate

The Red Fort has two main gates - the Delhi gate and the Lahore gate. The Lahore gate got its name because of its orientation towards Lahore. After all, India and Pakistan used to be the same country once.

7. There is also a water gate

There is a third minor exit to the fort. Originally on the riverbank it was meant to ensure easy access to the river Yamuna. However, over the years, the course of the river changed but the name remained.

8. The shape of the Red Fort is octagonal

A bird's eye view of this amazing architectural splendour (spread over 256 acres) reveals its octagonal shape. The shape of the encircling red wall of the fort actually looks like an octagon.

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9. The Rang Mahal was named quite aptly

The Rang Mahal - literally meaning the palace of colours - was the residence of the emperor’s wives, mistresses and maids. The emperor being one lucky man, lived right next door in the Khas Mahal so that he could visit the palace for dinner, or stroll over for coffee. However, the entry for others, except the princes was forbidden.

10. Bahadur Shah was tried by the British in his own fort

Bahadur Shah was tried in his own ancestral home by the British on charges of treason. The trial that took place in Diwan-i-Khas in front of British court found Shah Zafar guilty, after which he was stripped of his title and exiled to Rangoon (now Myanmar).