Mughal Emperor Shahjahan started construction of the massive fort in 1638 and work was completed in 1648.

The fort contains all the expected trappings of the centre of Mughal government: halls of public and private audience, domed and arched marble palaces, plush private apartments, a mosque and elaborately designed gardens.

Even today, the fort remains an impressive testimony to Mughal grandeur, despite being attacked by the Persian Emperor Nadir Shah in 1739 and by the British soldiers during the war of independence in 1857.

The first job was to build the defences for the city and, inside, the citadel-fort. Twenty-one towers and seven main gateways punctuated the 4 mile long, 27 foot high city wall. The walls encircling the 124 acre Fort were even more tremendous, ranging in height from 60 feet on the river side to 75 on the landward side, and in width from 45 feet at ground level to 30 feet

INTRODUCTION:

The largest of Old Delhi's monuments is Lal Quila or Red Fort whose thick red sandstone walls, bulging with turrets and bastions, have withstood the vagaries of time and nature.

The Lal Quila rises above a wide dry moat in the northeast corner of the original city of Shahjahanabad.

Its walls extend from two kilometers and vary in height from 18 metres on the river side to 33 metres on the city side.

Even today, the Lal Quila is an eloquent reminder of the glory of the Mughal era and its magnificence leaves many wonder-struck and breathless.

It is still a calm haven of peace which helps one to break away from the frantic pace of life outside the walls of the Fort and transports the visitor to another era of time.

The eventful history Red Fort has been witness to is brought out as a sound and light show every evening on the ramparts of the Red Fort.

For those desirous of delving into Delhi's glorious and tumultuous past, Delhi Tourism puts on a spectacular sound and light show at the Purana Qila bringing 5,000 years old history of the city come alive.

Special effects combine with the unique ambience to make this show a hauntingly unforgettable experience.

The eternal Jamuna bears witness to the glorious and tumultuous history of Delhi.

It throws light on a history, which begins with the creation of Indraprastha by the Pandavas and the transformation of this barren gift of the Kauravas into an idyllic haven.

This show unfolds the history of Delhi.

These and many more such episodes out of Delhi’s old saga can be relived during this evocative 62 minutes son et lumiere.

Advanced technology has made it possible to add special effects, combining with the unique ambiance to make this show a hauntingly unforgettable experience.