7 Lesser-Known Facts About Delhi's Red Fort

05 /AUGUST/ 2025

It Wasn't Always Red 

Surprisingly, the Red Fort had some white sections at first. The fort was made with limestone, and as time passed, its surface started to erode. To counter the discoloration, the British painted it red — that gave the monument its distinctive appearance it  has now.

Photo Credit :: Google

A Built-In Acoustic Security System

The architecture of the fort featured a clever sound surveillance system. Strategically sloped walls and echo chambers enabled sounds — such as intruder footsteps — to carry, thereby enabling guards to detect motion within specific chambers during the Mughal period.

Photo Credit :: Google

It Once Had Scenic Riverside Views 

When Shah Jahan constructed the Red Fort, the Yamuna river ran directly alongside it. The fort was actually planned to view the river, with spectacular views of the waterfront — a world away from today's landscape.

Photo Credit :: Google

The Kohinoor Diamond Was Once Here 

The mythical Peacock Throne, residing in the fort's Diwan-i-Khas (Private Audience Hall), was once home to the world-renowned Kohinoor diamond. The throne was plundered in 1739 by Persian Emperor Qader Shah when he  invaded Delhi.

Photo Credit :: Google

It was a British Prison Camp 

Following the 1857 rebellion, the British converted sections of the Red Fort into military barracks and prison cells. It was here that the last Mughal ruler, Bahadur Shah Zafar, was arrested and put on trial before being banished.

Photo Credit :: Google

A Tunnel to Agra? 

Based on local folklore, a hidden tunnel runs between the Red Fort in Delhi and Agra Fort. The tunnel was meant to serve as an emergency escape route — but its existence is a secret — and a matter of long-standing debate among historians.invaded Delhi.

Photo Credit :: Google

Photo Credit :: Google

A Late Addition to the UNESCO List 

Though its cultural and historical significance, the Red Fort was not yet considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site until the year 2007. It was long overdue recognition of one of India's most recognizable monuments.

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