Independence Day 2018: 8 things to know about Red Fort and its significance in freedom struggle

Red fort is a crucial part of India’s Independence Day celebrations. On this day, the National Flag is hoisted at the fort and the Prime Minister addresses the nation from here.

Red Fort/ file image/ Courtesy: PTI

New Delhi: From the Mughal period to contemporary India, the iconic red fort has been at the centre of major political events. The significance of the edifice in India’s independence is enlisted here:

• Red fort is a crucial part of India’s Independence Day celebrations. On this day, the National Flag is hoisted at the fort and the Prime Minister addresses the nation from here.

 

• During the 1857 war of independence, the mutinous sepoys marched to the Red Fort and established it as their base.

 

• After crushing the 1857 rebellion, British Indian army made it their headquarters.

 

• In 1945-1946, the Indian National Army’s officers were tried for treason in the Red Fort.

 

• The National Flag was not hoisted at Red Fort for the first time, but at Parliament House in the morning of August 15.

 

• At the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947 when power was transferred to the government of Free India, Jawahar Lal Nehru who was sworn in as first Prime Minister gave a stirring speech holding the national flag. Indian Flag was hoisted next morning at the top of the Parliament House for the first time.

 

• The Tricolour was first unfurled at the Red Fort on August 16 1947, not August 15.

 

• Jawaharlal Nehru gave his first official public speech as Prime Minister from the ramparts of the fort.