Red Fort - Palaces

Mumtaz Mahal

Mumtaz Mahal was a palace along with five other palaces that faces Yamuna river. Nahri-Bihisht was the source of water to all the palaces. White marble was used to construct the palace. The palace has six apartments separated by arched piers.

During the British period, the palace was used as a prison. Currently the palace is converted into a museum having the things used during the Mughal period.

Rang Mahal

Rang Mahal was previously known as Imtiyaz Mahal or Palace of Distinction. It was constructed by Shah Jahan who used this palace as a harem. Due to the presence of mirrors, some of the apartments in this palace were known as Shish Mahal.

During the British period, the structure was used as a mess hall. Nahr-i-Bihisht was the source of water to the palace. There is a basement or tehkhana used by women during summer season.

Khas Mahal

Khas Mahal was the private residence of the emperor. The palace was divided into three sections which are Telling Beads or Tasbih Khana, Sleeping Room or Khwabgah, and Wardrobe or Tosha Khana also known as Baithak or Sitting Room.

Marble was used to construct the interiors. These marbles were painted with coloured floral patterns. Mussamman Burj is located on the east of the palace and emperor used to address the public from here every morning.

Hira Mahal

Hira Mahal was constructed by Bahadur Shah II and is located south of Hayat Bakhsh Bagh. The decoration of the mahal is very simple but have carved arches. There was Moti Mahal beside the Hira Mahal which was destroyed during the mutiny of 1857.

Zafar Mahal

Zafar Mahal was constructed by Bahadur Shah Zafar in 1842 in the middle of a water tank. Red sandstone is used to build the palace. After the mutiny of 1857, the tank was used by the British as a swimming pool.