Indian army leaves the Red Fort

Sikh soldiers march at the hand-over ceremony

The Indian army has given up control of one of the nation's most famous monuments and attractions - the Red Fort in the capital, Delhi.

Tourists are now likely to have access to much of the fort that has been strictly off-limits.

Officials hope the building will be recognised as a United Nations' World Heritage Site.

The army has occupied the fort ever since independence from the British empire in 1947.

The fort has now been transferred to the control of India's tourist authorities.

The army converted the sandstone fort into a garrison in 1949. It was built in the 17th century to house palaces and offices for the Mughul emperor Shah Jehan - better known as the man behind the Taj Mahal.

India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, unfurled the national flag atop its battlements on 15 August 1947 when the country gained independence.

Militant attack

At a ceremony on Monday, Tourism Minister Jagmohan, who pushed for boosting the site's tourist appeal by removing the military barracks inside, said: "The handover was in the national interest".

Defence Minister George Fernandes said: "The history of the armed forces is interlinked with the fort. Now it is time to show the world an aspect of our history and heritage."

Some experts have voiced fears about the security of the structure once the army has left it.

The fort was attacked by militants three years ago, leaving three people dead.

Mughal triumph

The Red Fort was the seat of Mughal rule till 1857, when India began to be governed by the British.

The British army occupied the fort until India's independence.

The fort, which took some 10 years to build, houses grand halls, domed marble palaces, plush apartments, a mosque and extensive gardens.

Experts have described it as a triumph of Mughal architecture.