Page 34 - Lohgarh

34 w Lohgarh : The World’s Largest Fort

In the battle of Tirgarh, Anandpur (on 16 January 1704) and Nigahia
(later Nigahia Singh) embraced martyrdom in the battle of Amritsar
(on 6 April 1709). The rest five were a part of the Banda Singh’s army;
they too embraced martyrdom in different battles. Lakhi Rai Vanjara
had 17 grandsons and 24 great of grandsons. All of them too embraced
martyrdom in different battles.
In 1630s, the ancient city of Delhi was a small town. It had remained
the capital of several kingdoms from time to time. It was constructed,
populated, and, then destroyed again several times. During the reign
of Shah Jahan, Delhi was a semi-deserted town. Though Sher Shah Suri’s
descendants (known more as Suris) ruled over it till 1556 but they could
not achieve a glorious state. Delhi had several old Forts; some of them
were severely destroyed hence were deserted. Islam Shah Sur (ruled
1545-1554) too had built a Fort (Salimgarh Fort just behind the Red
Fort). After the defeat of the Suris, the Mughals occupied Delhi. When
Shah Jahan became Emperor in 1628, he decided to build a new Fort.
He asked Ahmed Lahori to plan a map of the new Fort. On 12 May
1639, final orders were issued for beginning the construction. The very
next day foundation stone was laid and after 9 years it was completed
and was ready to be occupied on 6 April 1648. Shah Jahan named this
Fort as Qila Mubarik but because it was made of red stones, it was
known more as Lal Qila (Red Fort). 9
Delhi’s Red Fort covers an area of 254.67 acres. Around it a 2.41
kilometer long wall has been built. The height of this wall is 18 to 31
meters. Its main gate is towards the southern side and is known as
Lahori Gate. Its second gate is known as Delhi Gate. The gate that opens
on the side of Yamuna river is known as Paani Darwaza (Water gate). It
has 14 gates including Kashmere Gate, Calcutta Gate, Mori Gate, Kabul
Gate, Faresh Khana Gate, Ajmeri Gate and the Turkman Gate etc. In the
Fort there is a baoli (well with steps). According to a local tradition, this
baoli existed much before the construction of the Fort.
After the Fort was occupied, people began building houses around
it. Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Fatehpuri, were first to be built.
They were followed by the construction of Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar,