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RAS question

The Red Fort (Lal Qila) in Delhi was built by Shah Jahan in:

Correct answer: (A) 1639–1648 CE.

Shah Jahan built the Red Fort, or Lal Qila, in Delhi between 1639 and 1648 CE as the citadel of his new capital, Shahjahanabad.

  1. (A)

    1639–1648 CE

  2. (B)

    1526–1530 CE

  3. (C)

    1658–1665 CE

  4. (D)

    1565–1573 CE

Explanation

The date range 1639-1648 CE is the precise fit because the Archaeological Survey of India states that Shah Jahan transferred his capital from Agra to Delhi, laid the foundations of Shahjahanabad, and began the Red Fort in 1639, completing it after nine years. The fort stood at the northern end of the new city and formed its famous citadel. The source also supports the material and architectural context in the explanation: its walls, gates and some structures used red sandstone, while marble was widely used in the palaces. Key spaces inside the complex include the Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Rang Mahal and Moti Masjid, so the fort is being tested as both a chronology marker and a Mughal urban-monumental project.

Why the other options are wrong

  • (B) 1526-1530 CE belongs too early for this monument, because the ASI records the Red Fort as begun only in 1639 under Shah Jahan.
  • (C) 1658-1665 CE is too late, as the ASI account says the Red Fort was begun in 1639 and completed after nine years.
  • (D) 1565-1573 CE predates Shah Jahan's Shahjahanabad project; the cited ASI page places the fort's construction in the 1639-plus-nine-years window.

Concept

This tests Mughal architecture and urban history, especially the link between Shah Jahan, Shahjahanabad and the Red Fort. RAS repeats such questions because major monuments anchor dynasty chronology, capitals and architectural features in one compact fact set.

Source

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