The Red Fort

We were lucky enough to be shepherded to the front of the long line to get into this very old fort, which is our second UNESCO World Heritage site of the trip. A free government approved guide offered to show us around, thank goodness, as it was a large complex (254 acres) with little signage.

(As a side note, we had to go through metal detectors and have our bags X-rayed to enter The Red Fort and another place we visited today. To go into our hotel we have to have our bags X-rayed and trunks and under the hood are checked in all cars coming onto the hotel property.)

The Red Fort was built in the mid-1600s during the Mughal Empire and served as the residence of it’s leaders. It was erected by the same leader who had the Taj Mahal built. It was so interesting to learn about its former glory - buildings with gilded and mirrored ceilings, pashmina curtains hanging on the openings of the buildings, and a throne covered with jewels including a huge diamond that is now part of the UK’s Crown Jewels. There were shallow canals build in the complex that were filled with rose water and created waterfalls in some of the buildings! After the British captured the fort in 1957 they destroyed 2/3 of the complex and erected military barracks. All of India’s prime ministers have given Independence Day speeches from its ramparts. It’s an incredibly important place.

Interestingly, we were back in a situation where we were being seriously gawked at and asked frequently for photos/selfies. We’ve learned the hard way before that if we are in an area with lots of Indian tourists, if we say yes to one person then it will be never ending. I think we were being stared at so much again because there were people from all over India visiting the Red Fort. Walking down the streets in Delhi, people seem to be accustomed to tourists with light skin and don’t act that way.Read more