Lahori Gate at Delhi’s Red Fort is getting a restoration that goes deeper than a fresh coat of paint. The Archaeological Survey of India has removed multiple layers of later paint to bring the landmark closer to its 1648 appearance, revealing original Mughal masonry details that had been hidden for decades.
One of the most visible changes is in the circular well area of the gate, the spot used for India’s annual Independence Day address. What visitors knew as a deep-red surface now reads as a lighter, earthy brown after conservation teams removed the built-up paint with controlled sand blasting.
According to the ASI, the layers of paint had trapped moisture and hurt the wall’s natural performance. The conservation scope focused on stabilizing loose stones, filling cracks, and strengthening joints with traditional lime mortar, a repair choice that aligns with the historic fabric instead of sealing it under more modern coatings.
The work also highlights a common challenge in restoration: later alterations become part of the building’s history and its repair problems. After the British took control following the 1857 uprising, military-era changes added barracks and other structures. At Lahori Gate, later brick-and-cement interventions are now being addressed as part of the conservation effort, with repairs using lime-based materials rather than simple replacement.
For preservation-focused crews and mason contractors, the project is a clear reminder that surface treatments, mortar selection, crack repair, and joint integrity all affect long-term durability in historic masonry. Delhi Gate is next in line for a similar study, continuing a broader conservation track at the Red Fort that has included work at Chhatta Bazaar and other concealed historic finishes.
Read the full, original article from The Tribune here.