Located in the dil of Delhi, the Red Fort stands witness to the history of the Mughal era in India. Built by the fifth ruler of the Mughal dynasty, Shahab-ud-din Muhammad Khurram or more commonly known as Shah Jahan, it was envisioned to utilize the horseshoe-shaped landscape with the river Yamuna flowing beside the complex. The red sandstone marvel took approximately nine years to construct (1639-1648) and has a seamless amalgamation of Mughal, Persian, Timurid, and Hindu architectural styles. The Red Fort is constructed adjacent to an earlier constructed structure named Salimgarh Fort that was constructed during the reign of Islam Shah Suri in 1546. Replete with beautiful pavilions connected through Nahr-e-Behist (water channels) and structures such as Diwan-e-Khas, Diwan-e-Aam, Rang Mahal, etc., the Red Fort Complex reminds you of the splendor of a bygone era.
Once the British overthrew Bahadur Shah Zafar, they built army barracks within the complex to accommodate British soldiers. The materials the British used for the construction – red and white sandstone were in harmony with the other structures housed in the complex. They represent the typical colonial architecture that was prevalent at the time.
The monument was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in the year 2007 because of its outstanding universal value as per the guidelines of UNESCO. Currently, the barracks house museums that showcase the rich cultural history and freedom struggle of India. These museums include those related to the 1857 War of Independence, Jallianwala Bagh, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, and the Navratanas. The light and sound show illuminates the monument each evening and narrates the mesmerizing story.
The Red Fort has been a symbol of power since its construction and continues to hold importance even today. On Independence Day, each year, the Prime Minister hoists the Indian National Flag here and addresses the people of the nation. It is, therefore, crucial to preserve and protect our heritage and ensure proper management of the monument so that the legacy continues. Keeping this in mind, through the joint effort of the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India, the ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan’ Scheme was launched on 27th September 2017 to encourage Private and Public Companies and Organizations to adopt a monument or heritage site and become a ‘Monument Mitra’ (‘Monument Mitra’ is defined as a public/private sector company or Trust or NGO or individual successfully selected through competitive basis for a given project/monument). The vision was to provide basic amenities at the site and to maintain it while conserving its historical essence. Under this Scheme, the Red Fort has been adopted by Dalmia Bharat Ltd. The vision behind this Scheme is to give a boost to the tourism industry of the country and to establish India as a tourist destination on a global scale. This would also improve the overall management of heritage and tourist sites and encourage visitors to interact with their dharohar.
Dalmia Bharat Ltd. who has been associated with this Scheme as a ‘Monument Mitra’ for Red Fort is organizing ‘Bharat Bhagya Vidhata’, a cultural festival at Red Fort from 25th March – 3rd April 2022 where one can witness a curated projection mapping through an immersive light and sound show to witness India’s glorious past and future aspirations. The event will also highlight Indian arts, crafts, and cuisines.