Travelers intending to visit Delhi’s famous Red Fort now have an additional day for exploration. Following a directive from the Archaeological Survey of India, the monument will also be open on Mondays.
Previously, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was closed to the public on Mondays. However, with this new decision, the heritage site will welcome visitors all week long.
A fortress rich in history
The Red Fort dates back to 1638, when Mughal emperor Shah Jahan moved his capital from Agra to Delhi, establishing Shahjahanabad as the city’s seventh historic settlement. The fort’s construction kicked off in 1639 and was finalized nine years later.
Located on the right bank of the Yamuna River, south of Salimgarh Fort, the fort is designed as an irregular octagon and features two main gateways — the Lahori Gate to the west and the Delhi Gate to the south. Built mainly from red sandstone, the fort’s palaces prominently showcase marble.
Entering through the western entrance, visitors navigate the vaulted arcade of Chhatta Chowk to arrive at the Naubat Khana, or Drum House, which currently houses the Indian War Memorial Museum.
The Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience), a rectangular structure adorned with nine arches, once held the royal throne beneath a marble canopy. Behind it lies the Rang Mahal, or Painted Palace, which was once elegantly decorated and crossed by the Nahr-i-Bihisht — the Stream of Paradise. The Mumtaz Mahal now hosts the Delhi Fort Museum.
The elaborately decorated Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) is believed to have once supported the renowned Peacock Throne, which was later taken by the Persian conqueror Nadir Shah.
Other significant structures include the Tasbih-Khana and the adjacent Khwabgah, the octagonal Muthamman-Burj — where emperors historically addressed their subjects — which is later linked to Akbar Shah II, and a balcony from which King George V and Queen Mary greeted the public in 1911.
The hammam (royal baths) is entirely constructed of marble and inlaid with colorful stones. To its west is the Moti Masjid, added by Aurangzeb. North of it lies the Hayat-Bakhsh-Bagh, which underwent modifications, with the Zafar Mahal constructed around 1842 by Bahadur Shah II.
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Visiting hours and entry fees
The Red Fort is accessible from sunrise until 9 pm.
Entry fees:
- Free for children under 15 years old.
- Visitors from Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives, Afghanistan, and BIMSTEC countries: ₹50 (cash), ₹35 (online).
- Other international visitors: ₹600 (cash), ₹550 (online).
With the addition of Monday to its schedule, visitors now have enhanced flexibility to stroll through one of India’s most revered Mughal-era fortresses.
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