The Tragic History of The Red Fort

In India, two iconic structures bear the name Red Fort, each serving as a witness to the rise and fall of empires. The first is in Agra, originally a Rajput stronghold named Lal Kot. Over centuries, it housed the Lodhi Sultans and early Mughal emperors, serving as the empire's central treasury, mint, and occasionally, a royal prison. Notable rulers like Akbar and Shah Jahan expanded and renovated this site, making it a bastion of Mughal wealth and authority.
The second is the Red Fort of Delhi, commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1638. While often confused with the ancient Lal Kot of the Tomar Rajputs—the ruins of which lie near Mehrauli—Shah Jahan’s fort was a distinct creation that became the new seat of power. Ironically, after Aurangzeb seized the throne, he imprisoned his father, Shah Jahan, in the Agra Fort while he himself ruled from the Delhi Fort.
Originally conceived as a viral YouTube series titled “The Painful Saga of the Red Fort” by Dr. Mohanlal Gupta, this book chronicles the history of India from Shah Jahan’s reign to the dawn of independence. In this narrative, the "Red Fort" is more than masonry; it is a symbol of the intoxication of power and the inevitable humility that follows its loss.
By drawing from contemporary diaries of Mughal royalty and documents often overlooked by mainstream historians, this work brings hidden historical truths to light. Driven by the demand of millions of international viewers, this series has been adapted into book form to preserve a compelling, family-centered exploration of India’s past for future generations.