[nazar]

Hi friends, few day back I visited Delhi's principal landmark, Red Fort. I found the monument very interesting and it captivated me a lot. Red Fort has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO one a half month back. Have u visited Red Fort ever, if yes then tell it deserves a UNESCO World Heritage Status or not?

[YETI]

I think it deserves it - it's an incredible building with a great tale to tell.

I'm hoping UNESCO's recognition will put a bit of money into renovating it.

Inside it was a bit of a mess last time I was there. It could do with a bit of TLC.

[jyotirmoy]

The Red Fort is the most historically important fort of India. A lot happened here that shaped India's destiny.

[Judi]

Yes, I think it deserves it, too.  A fascinating place, of huge historic importance ...... and if such an award brings in money to smarten it up a little and do some restoration, then so much the better.

NB.  Nazar ...... it's great that you have found this site, and good that you are posting ....... but a little "Hello, how are you, my name is nazar ...... " might have been appropriate before you started threads which might cause errrrr, let's say .... controversy, don't you think?  

[Shiver me Timbers]

Do you guys think they should make an affort at refurbishment i.e. restoring the fort to its former (pre-British) glory? The big, ugly grey barracks could go for a start.....

[Judi]

The 'big, ugly grey barracks' are part of it's history, too .......... although they are certainly the way you describe them!!!
On the whole, though, yes, I do think they should go.  

What I do think they should restore is running water through the tanks, canals and chambers - that would be glorious.

[jyotirmoy]

In fact for quite some time I had been thinking the same. The ugly barracks opposite the elegant quarters should be removed. Then I thought these show the transition, such a stark contrast. Now I think the uggliness of these enhances the sublime beauty of the Mughal construction.

[jyotirmoy]

Judi, on Aug 7 2007, 12:57 PM, said:

The 'big, ugly grey barracks' are part of it's history, too .......... although they are certainly the way you describe them!!!
On the whole, though, yes, I do think they should go.  

What I do think they should restore is running water through the tanks, canals and chambers - that would be glorious.

The running waters.... Shajahan made the royal tailors make dresses for the beauties of his harem not stiched but stuck by gum. He had these fountains and running waters through which these beauties did the catwalk.... I leave the rest to your imaginations.

[cyberhippie]

Didn't the Emperor live here during the So called Indian Mutiny, afterwards he was whisked away to Burma I think as a dangerous figurehead???

[jyotirmoy]

The last Moghul saw the dust raised by the horsemen from the ramparts..  for one moment he was the emperror.....

[cyberhippie]

History aside I'm not really in favour of this becoming a Unesco site. It sends the wrong signals for me, that years of neglect will be rewarded with monetary and cultural  recognition.

The fort is in a terrible state of repair the new entrance fees for foreigners seem to have changed little.

Delhi hasn't played the role of National Capital in regards her many historical monuments. The filling in with concrete, of an architectural instrument to observe the stars, at the The Maharajah Sawai Jai Singh II. Observatory springs to mind!!

[YETI]

If an abandoned tin mine down here in Cornwall recently got UNESCO status, I think the Red Fort should.

Cyberhippie's comments about financial mismanagement ring true, though - the whopping fee at The Taj Mahal's another good example of an entrance fee failing to translate into decent refurbishment.