OLD DELHI
Shah Jahanabad, a fortified city located west of Red Fort, once surrounded by a mighty defensive wall. There are still some fragments. The Kashmir Ghate is located at the northern end of the former Shah Jahanabad (Kashmir Gate), remembering a desperate fight during a nationwide uprising, when the victorious British took power over Delhi. West of here, near the vegetable market (Sabzi Mandi), stands the Mutiny Memorial built by the British (insurgent monument) in honor of the soldiers, who died in the uprising. Next to it is the Asoka Column (Ashoka pillar) placed here, similar to Firuz Szach Kotla, by Firuz Shah Tughlak.
Chandni Chauk (Chandni Chowk)
The main street of Old Delhrjesr Chandni Chowk. The crowded colorful market day and night contrasts with the vast and spacious streets of New Delhi. Between the eastern end of Chandni Chauku, where is Red Ford, Red Fort, and there is a Jain temple in the north of the Great Mosque (Jain pace) with a small marble courtyard surrounded by a colonnade. Right next to the anchors (former police unit) there is a Sunehri mosque (Sunehri Mosque). From the roof of this mosque, St. 1739 r. Nadir Shah watched the bloody massacre of the Delhians, which his soldiers arranged for them in the streets of the city. The Persian invaders took the Peacock Throne with them after they plundered Delhi.
Fatehpuri Mosque, erected by one of the wives of Shah Jahan in 1650 r., closes the western part of Chandni Chauka.
Red Fort
Lal Kila is the work of Shah Jahan. Built of red sandstone, measures in circumference 2 km, height varies between 18 m from the river a 33 m from the city side. Construction of this huge fort, started in 1638 r., permanent 10 years. Shah Jahan's dreams of ruling from the new capital have not come true, Shah Jahanabad in Delhi. The Emperor's Son, Aurangzeb deprived his father of power and put him in prison in the fort in Agra.
The fort comes from the time of the apogee of the Mohammedan authorities. As the emperor rode into the streets of Old Delhi on the back of an elephant, it was the greatest display of Mughal splendor and strength. The Mughal rule in Delhi did not last long, however. Aurangzeb was the first and last great Mogul ruler, who was in power from here.
Today, typical Indian customs prevail in the fort. Immediately after crossing the gates, self-proclaimed guides appear, pushily offering tourists their services. But still for the patient, who broke through the maddened street crowd of Old Delhi, the fort seems to be a heavenly oasis of peace. Thousands of years separate the gardens and pavilions of the fort from the chaotic and noisy city. Once, the Jamuna flowed directly under the eastern wall of the fort (Jamuna). A 10-meter deep moat has been preserved from this period. Today the river bed is located above 1 km further east. Admission: 0,50 INR, pt. free of charge.
Lahore Gate (brama lahaur) It is the main gate of the fort named after the city of Lahore, currently in Pakistan, towards which she is facing. If you look for the symbolic spiritual heart of the Hindu people somewhere, that would be the Lahore Gate in the Red Fort. An Indian flag flutters over the Fort, placed in accordance with the declaration of patriots during the struggle for independence. After regaining independence, Nehru and Indira Gandhi gave many times and speeches to the crowds gathered on the square. (uncovered place, liking) in front of the fort. Annually 15 of August (Independence Day) the prime minister of India is speaking to thousands of newcomers.
Having passed the gate, you enter the arcaded Chatta Chauk (Chat Chowk; covered bazaar). The finest goods were sold here, of which only the court entourage dreamed of – silks, jewelry, gold. Today, the shops meet the needs of the tourist clientele, and although the quality of the products is certainly worse, some of them still dazzle with royal prices! Arkady was also known as the Mina Bazaar, which is something like… a shopping mall for the ladies of the royal court. Every Thursday the gates of the fort were closed to men, however, only women were allowed into the citadel.
The arcades lead to Naubat Khan (Drum House – "Musical composition room"), where a group of musicians usually performed for the ruler. From here, the arrival of the prince and members of the royal family were also announced. Arcades once surrounded the open courtyard behind Naubat Khan. Having made the Red Fort headquarters, the British army got rid of them successfully. Another memento of the British are the ugly huge 3-story barracks, placed in the northern part of the courtyard.
Diwan-i-Am (public audience hall) It was here that the ruler listened to complaints and settled disputes of his subjects. The imperial alcove was lined with marble inlaid with precious stones. Many of them were stolen after the uprising. The elegant public audience hall was restored at the behest of Curzon, viceroy of India in the years 1898-1905.
Diwan-i-Khas (private study room) Constructed of white marble, it was a magnificent sumptuous chamber, in which private meetings of the emperor took place. The main place in the room was occupied by the unusual Peacock Throne. Nadir Shah in 1739 r. took him to Iran. The throne was made of pure gold, it was adorned with images of peacocks at the back. Inlay of countless precious stones gave the birds fabulous colors. A parrot flaunted among the peacocks, carved from a single piece of emerald.
This masterpiece, conjured with precious metals, sapphires, rubies, emeralds and pearls were pulled down, and the so-called Peacock Throne, located in Tehran, it is only a patchwork of the preserved fragments of the original. Marmurowy pedestal, on which the Peacock's Throne stood, is in its former place. W1760 r. The Marathas removed the silver ornament from the ceiling. Today, Diwan-i-Khas is just a shadow of its former splendor. On the walls there is only the famous Persian couplet four times in gold letters:
Agar firdaus bar ruje zamin ast.
If there is paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.
Royal Baths Bath pavilion, hammams, standing next to Diwan-i-Khasu. These are three huge rooms with a fountain in the middle, topped with domes. One of them was to be used as a sauna. The floors were decorated with Florentine mosaic. Light streamed into the baths through the roof panneau, made of colored glass. The facility is not open to visitors.