November 11, 2025 | 07:50 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The historical area near the Red Fort and bustling Delhi, India, usually crowded with tourists, is now bustling with media and security personnel. An explosion originating from a vehicle in India's capital on Monday night, November 10, 2025, killed dozens and injured many. Authorities have temporarily closed tourist access to the historical fort from November 11 to 13, 2025.
The Red Fort, known as Lal Qila, is a 17th-century monument and a symbol of India's independence. The area, a major tourist center known for its bustling markets and street vendors, immediately plunged into chaos.
Reportedly, the fort was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1638 when he decided to move his capital from Agra to Delhi. Designed by Ustad Ahmad Lahori, who also designed the Taj Mahal, this fort took about 10 years to complete and was finished in 1648.
According to Britannica, the fort, with its 23-meter-high red sandstone walls, encloses a palace complex, an entertainment hall, projecting balconies, a roomy bathhouse, an indoor canal, geometric gardens, and a lavishly decorated mosque. The fort stretches for 2.4 kilometers.
Over the years, the Red Fort has faced invasions and changes of power. In 1739, Nadir Shah of Persia attacked Delhi and seized many treasures from the fort, including the famous Peacock Throne.
In 1857, during the rebellion against British rule, the fort became a rallying point for Indian soldiers. After the rebellion was quashed, the British captured it, exiled the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, and turned part of the fort into a military barracks.
When the British moved the capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911, they built a new city nearby, leaving the Red Fort as a reminder of the past.
Symbol of Independence
India's Independence Day celebrations took place at the Red Fort on August 15, 2025. This old building has an important place in India's independence history. On August 15, 1947, a few hours after the British flag was lowered and the Indian flag raised in Parliament, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the three-colored flag from the fort. He then delivered his first Independence Day speech to the people of India.
The selection of the Red Fort was significant. The fort represents India's history, its struggle under colonial rule, and the promise of a free future. Since then, the fort has been part of the country's Independence Day celebrations.
Since 2007, the Red Fort has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year, the fort stands as a reminder of India's past and its journey as an independent nation.
Editor's Choice: India Probes Delhi Car Blast Under Anti-Terror Law
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
India Probes Delhi Car Blast Under Anti-Terror Law
1 jam lalu
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said those responsible for a deadly explosion in the heart of the Indian capital "will not be spared."
Protesters Call for Govt Action as Smog Shrouds New Delhi
5 jam lalu
Hundreds of citizens marched around the India Gate monument in New Delhi on Sunday.
8 Killed in Car Blast in New Delhi, India
9 jam lalu
At least eight people have died in an explosion near the Red Fort in the capital of India, New Delhi, the police said.
India's Tryst with Strategic Experimentation
13 jam lalu
For India, from universal suffrage to space research, progress has often begun as a gamble.
India: Car Explodes in New Delhi, Killing Several People
20 jam lalu
Police confirmed there were fatalities from a car explosion near a metro station close to the Red Fort landmark.
Dealing with Quotas in India's Private Universities
1 hari lalu
The Indian government must devise strong educational mechanisms to help students from underprivileged backgrounds to compete in private universities.
Why India's Garlic Butter Naan Is the World's Best Bread
5 hari lalu
TasteAtlas unveiled its list of the 100 Best Breads in the World, and India's garlic butter naan claimed the top spot.
10 Light Festivals Around the World, from Paris to India
5 hari lalu
Ten world light festivals from Aomori Nebuta Matsuri in Japan to i Light Marina Bay in Singapore offer captivating lanterns, lasers, and art installations, worthy of being on travellers' bucket lists.
India's Farm Policies Behind Bad Air, Unhealthy Diet, Water Crisis
6 hari lalu
Law and policy measures that prioritise sustainable agriculture are needed to address India's environmental challenges.
Blood Clots: India's Silent, Preventable Killer
8 hari lalu
Heart disease and stroke dominate India's health statistics - but this hidden culprit links many of these deaths.
