Missing in the Red Fort, India Quiz

Answer: Delhi

The Red Fort is an historic fort in the city of Delhi. This beautiful fortress and palace was the centre of the city of Shahjahanabad. Shahjahanabad was founded in 1639 as the capital for the Mughal emperors. It remained the capital of the Mughal Empire until it fell in 1857. This is what we now call Old Delhi. The Red Fort is considered Old Delhi's crown jewel.

Answer: Shah Jahan

Shah Jahan (also known as Shahab-ud-din Muhammad Khurram) was the fifth Mughal emperor. Shah Jahan was considered to be the most competent of Emperor Jahangir's four sons and the best military commander. Mughal succession was not based on birth order. Shah Jahan went to war with his brothers and their supporters and eventually was able to crown himself in 1628. Shah Jahan's name meant "King of the World" in the Persian language used at that time. During his reign there was a flowering of the arts in his empire.

Answer: red sandstone

The Red Fort is named for its massive fortress walls of red sandstone which make the fort almost impregnable. The walls are 18 meters high on the river side and 33 meters high on the city side. Originally the Red Fort was built of red sandstone with white marble interiors, Shah Jahan's favourite colours.

Much of the marble was later looted. The fort was designed by architect Ustad Ahmad Lahouri, who is believed to have designed the Taj Mahal in Agra. To follow the advice of astrologers, the construction began in the sacred month of Muharram, on 13th May 1638 and it was completed on 6th April 1648.

Answer: The Stream of Paradise

The Stream of Paradise connected the main palaces and pavilions in the Red Fort. It watered the vast and intricately designed gardens. Including water features and gardens were part of the architectural style created by the Mughals. The style went on to inspire the construction of buildings and gardens in later eras. The river water also filled the moat. Today, the moat and canal are dry, however parts of the beautiful gardens survive for tourists to enjoy.

Answer: Six

A large percentage of the structures within the fort were either destroyed or badly damaged by war and plundering over the years. The Red Fort still houses beautiful and historic buildings, such as the Rang Mahal which literally translates to 'Palace of Colors'.

It was built to house the emperor's mistresses and wives. The palace was made to look colorful with bright paints and glittering decorations. A marble basin, in the center of the palace, was filled with water flowing from the Stream of Paradise.

The dome roof was lined with solid silver. Under the palace, was a basement. It was used by the women to cool off during the hot summers.

Answer: Lahori Gate

The main gate to the Red Fort is named "Lahori" as it faces toward the direction of the city of Lahore. During Emperor Aurangzeb's reign (1658 to 1707 CE), extra bastions were added to the gate due to the growing defensive needs. The Lahori Gate opens on to the Chhatta Chowk, a street covered with arched cells.

It housed the most talented jewellers, carpet makers, weavers and goldsmiths of Shahjahanabad. The vaulted arcade of the Chhatta Chowk ended in the centre of the outer court. This measured 160 meters by 110 meters (540 feet by 360 feet) as befitted an imperial court.

The Delhi gate faces in the direction of Delhi. The other gates don't exist in the Red Fort.

Answer: no

The Red Fort's embellishments began to be removed shortly after Shah Jahan's death. In 1712, to raise money, the silver ceiling of the Rang Mahal was replaced by copper. This use of the rich decorations to fund the Mughal Empire continued until 1739. It was then that the Persian emperor Nadir Shah easily defeated the Mughal army and plundered the Red Fort. Nadir Shah returned to Persia after three months with his accumulated loot. Most of the fort's precious marble structures were subsequently destroyed by the British following the Revolt of 1857. Luckily some of the beautiful architecture is left for us to see.

Answer: It was taken apart and the pieces sold off

The Peacock Throne was described by many European visitors to the Red Fort. The jewelled throne was recorded as being commissioned in the early 17th century by emperor Shah Jahan. It took seven years to complete. Large amounts of solid gold, precious stones and pearls were used to make it.

The fabulous Koh-I-Noor diamond was part of this amazing throne. After the deconstruction of the throne and passing through many hands, the diamond ended up with Queen Victoria. She placed it in the crown jewels of the United Kingdom.

There it remains with the wonderful curse that it must never be worn by a male. This means every time there is a King of England, the diamond appears in his wife's crown.

Answer: Hira Mahal

The Hira Mahal, according to legend, held a fabulous diamond hidden by Shah Jahan. This diamond was reputedly much more beautiful than the Koh-I-Noor diamond. The romantic story said it was meant for his first wife, Arjumand Banu Begum (Mumtaz Mahal).

The diamond has never been found. Hira Mahal is a pavilion that was built in 1842 by Bahadur Shah II, much later than the time of Shah Jahan, which makes the legend improbable. It is probably one of the last structures to have been built by a Mughal emperor before the British take-over.

Answer: Indian Independence Day

Indian Independence day is on 15th August. In 1947, the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru raised the Indian national flag above the Lahore Gate to celebrate independence. On each subsequent Independence Day, the prime minister continues the tradition by raising the flag and giving a speech that is broadcast throughout India. Flag Day has been observed in India, on December 7th, since 1949.

It is a day dedicated to the India Armed Forces. Donations are collected to support the welfare of retired Armed Forces personnel, but no flag is raised at the Red Fort.

The other days are made up.