India: Delhi – Red Fort
The Red Fort is perhaps the main attraction in Delhi with tourist crowds forming long lines at the main entrance point of the grand Lahore Gate. The Red Fort was built by the most powerful Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1638-48. The massive red brick fortress is surely impressive looking from the outside – towers and tall walls are stark in both color and appearance (somehow, it all reminded me of the Kremlin in Moscow and its equally red and imposing walls). Once inside, it’s much more of an open space scene and a bit underwhelming – there are several small imperial palaces, a beautiful marble mosque, a couple column-and-arch diwan halls – but none really as impressive as the main gate and the walls from the outside.
