Akbar moved the court to Agra but his son who built his tomb and the Taj Mahal moved it to Dehli. He had the Red Fort built over 10 years before moving in in any way. The British used it as their millitary headquarters after the 1857 uprising, and the 1911 Durbat when George V was crowned Emperor of India in person was held here. After Independance the Indian Army used it until 2003 when it was turned into a museum.
Originally it was next to the river and there are some anglicised persian gardens with various parts of the palace and later additions. In the middle of this there are huge victorian barrack blocks.
It was raided in the 18C by the Persians who carried off the legendary Peacock Throne and the Koh-in-noor diamond amonst their spoils so much of the ornamentation is lost.
The original marble riverside apartments are very beutiful and were conveniently situated with the Maharajah's apartments close to his harem and the hamman. All much more advanced than contemporary europe.
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| View from where George V stood to review the Durbar |
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