The Red Fort
Largely constructed of red sandstone, Delhi’s Lal Qila (Red Fort) was built between 1639 and 1648 by the same Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, responsible for the Jama Masjid, Old Delhi and the Taj Mahal.
In the west, a fort is purely military in nature, but in India the word “fort” refers to a fortified palace. These were as much opulent residences for the ruling classes and centres of government/justice, as they were military structures. They were very much symbols of wealth and power on which no expense was spared…….and the Mughal Emperors were fabulously wealthy.
I don’t mind admitting that I struggled a bit with photographing Delhi’s Red Fort…..it’s a sprawling site with no real stand-out focal point. Also it was hot and humid under the harsh mid-day Indian sun and my energy levels were dipping a little.
© Mark Simms Photography (2014)
Mark Simms Photography 
24 Responses to “The Red Fort”
Stunning Place, fabulous architecture and superb photos! 🙂
Thanks Adrian…..as I said I struggled a bit photographing the Red Fort, but these five aren’t too bad.
Fantastico!
Thank you very much
Stunning details! I do like how you’ve composed them Mark.
Thanks Sarah…are you back to “normal” health now (I won’t say good, because I know you have long-term conditions)?
Ha ha 🙂 Yes, normal for me! I’ve actually been able to do quite a lot this week which has been great. Shattered today but that’s the way of things!
What a stunning place – incredible detail texture and the scale is huge
Thanks Scott…..yep the Mughal’s built big, but if you think this is a stunning place……you ain’t seen nothing yet mate!
Bring it on Sir
I can imagine how these type of enormous forts would be hard to photograph, but you’ve made some excellent images in this series. I assume you lay down or knelt down for a couple – good way to capture the vastness of the area and the beautiful ceilings and columns.
Thanks Vicki…..yes I was pretty close to the floor on a couple, but my camera has a flippy screen so that helps massively with awkward angles.
Beautiful arches captured professionally. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks…..much appreciated.
Absolutely gorgeous architecture and well captured! Thanks for sharing Mark. 🙂
Thanks Laura
You’re welcome 🙂
I so love their architecture!! I must go there!! Thanks Mark for this beautiful photos!
Thanks
I saw this forty-five years ago this November after five weeks trekking in Nepal. In some respects I found it more impressive than the Taj. these image have brought back a lot of good memories.
Thanks……I’m glad they’ve rekindled some good memories 😊
I know exactly what you mean: there are always places that don’t want to be photographed but you’ve got some great shots here. Out of adversity ….. !
Thanks Noeline……and yeah it was really tough 😉
[…] so. The first of these is the Agra Fort, also known as the Red Fort – not to be confused with Delhi’s Mughal palace of the same […]