7 Lesser-Known Facts About Delhi's Red Fort

By: Payal

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Image Credit: Pexels

There are many historic buildings in the national capital that attract visitors from all over the world. One of the most prominent is the Red Fort in Delhi.

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Image Credit: Pexels

This iconic structure was built by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan. But how much do you really know about it?

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1. It Was Originally White And Red

Yes, seriously. As per legend, some parts of the Red Fort were initially white because it was made of limestone. Over time, when the British saw the fading walls, they painted them red.

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2. It Has an Invisible Sound Security System

In the Mughal era, the fort's design included a clever acoustic feature: invaders approaching certain chambers could be heard clearly, thanks to echo chambers and cleverly angled walls. 

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The Yamuna River used to flow right next to the fort. Shah Jahan built the fort so it would have waterfront views. 

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3. It Once Had A Thriving Riverside View

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4. The Kohinoor Diamond Was Part of Its Throne

The legendary Peacock Throne, which once sat in the Diwan-i-Khas, held the Kohinoor. Yes, that Kohinoor. It was looted by Nader Shah during the Persian invasion in 1739.

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5. It Was a British Prison Camp

After the 1857 revolt, the British turned parts of the Red Fort into military barracks and prisons. The last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, was tried here.

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6. There Is a Tunnel (Allegedly) Leading to Agra

Legend has it that there is a secret tunnel connecting the Red Fort to Agra Fort, designed as an emergency escape route. Whether it exists or not is still debated.

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7. Recognised As A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Despite being iconic, the Red Fort only got its UNESCO World Heritage tag in 2007. Took long enough, right?

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