The Archaeological Museum Red Fort in Delhi is entirely devoted to historical collections of the Mughal period which cover various subjects like sculptures, inscriptions of the Sultans and Mughal period, arms, old documents such as farmnans (फरमान) and sanads (सनद) and maps, relics of the First Freedom Struggle of 1837, carpets, manuscripts, specimens of calligraphy etc. The Red Fort Museum consists of a verandah and two halls. In the outer hall are exhibited the furniture and miscellaneous objec ts, old arms, seals, seal-stone and signets; engravings, drawings and photos, maps, relics of the rising of 1837; carpets, manuscripts, printed books, Mughal dresses etc. In the inner hall are displayed Mughal pictures, specimens of calligraphy, farmans and sanads and other documents and maps of historical interest. In the verandah, carvings and inscriptions are exhibited. There is a historically rich collection of the belongings related to Bahadur Shah Zafar like his famous ghazals, an ink pot, pen holder and a perfume sprinkler. After the exhibition of 1837 in the National Museum, the life-size models of emperor Bahadur Shah and the empress Zeenat Mahal, draped and decorated with their own clothes and ornaments, were received to be displayed in this museum.
There is a collection of about thousands of books and periodicals for departmental use to which interested visitors have access for consultation. The curator takes round and explains the exhibits to school and college students and other interested visitors. He also delivers lectures on selected subjects. T here are adequate labels in Hindi, Urdu and English. The aid of charts, maps, etc is being provided gradually in the museum. The universities and other institutions take great interest in the Red Fort Archaeological Museum.
The museum is suitably located in the Red Fort and is easily accessible. Millions of tourists visit this museum annually. The number is greater on holidays especially Independence Day (15th August), Basant Panchami, Christmas etc. The coins are kept in strong steel safes in the Coin Room along with other valuable objects. Objects are sent to and received from other museums on loan / lease. The main source of acquisition is purchase. The curator is in charge of the Red Fort Archaeological Museum under the general administrative control of the Superintendent, Museums Branch, Department of Archaeology, Government of India.