The red Fort, or whatever it is called Lal Qila, was built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. By his order, in 1639, began construction of a fortress in the new capital of the state, moved in Shahjahanabad (old Delhi) from Agra. It was completed in 1648, and was originally the citadel was called "Qila-I-Mubarak" which means "blessed fortress", but as in the Fort there were new buildings and a new name.

Lal Qila is a large complex of buildings which housed the family of the ruler, and about three thousand courtiers and nobles. Built of red Sandstone, this architectural monument has a characteristic bright brick-red color, which gave the new name of the fortress. It is built in the Muslim style, has the shape of an irregular octagon, and the height of the walls ranges from 16 to 33 feet away. Interior finish of fortress constructions is fully consistent with the Imperial status of their residents. Carved columns of incredible beauty, the walls are decorated with fine ornaments and mosaics of marble slabs, neat dome and delicate wrought-iron bars made unique Red Fort monument of Mughal architecture.

As already mentioned, the red Fort is a system of several parts, the most significant of which became the courtyard of the Diwan-I-AAM and the hall of the Diwan-I-Khas, where the Emperor received visitors, the personal apartments of the ruler of Nahr-and-Behisht, women's quarters (zenana Mumtaz Mahal and Grade Mahal, a magnificent garden Hayat Bakhsh Bagh and the famous Pearl Mosque, Moti, completely made of white marble.

Today the fortress has several museums.

The red Fort remains a significant place for the people of India, and not only because of the huge tourist flow, but also because every year on 15 August, Independence Day it is there that the Indian Prime Minister read out his message to the people.