Old Fort or Purana Qila in Delhi India

Built on the site of the most ancient city of Delhi - Indraprastha - Purana Quila is rectangular in shape with a circuit of nearly two kilometers. The foundation of this monument was laid by the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun in 1533 and was completed after five years. This has been built on a small hill on the banks of river Yamuna featuring massive rubble wall and imposing gateway houses.

History of Old Fort

Humayun established its new capital Dinpanah in 1534 A.D. Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun in 1540, and renamed the fort as Shergarh, and also added several more structures in the complex during his reign of 5 years until the time of his death. Purana Quila is the venue that showcased spectacular sound and light show every evening. According to Hindu literature the fort, located at Indraprastha was the glorious capital of the Pandavas.

Construction of Purana Qila

The structure houses a mosque, with double storied octagonal tower. The wall extending a height of 18 metres comprises three gateways. The Bada Darwaza, facing the West direction is one of the huge gates which are still being used today. The northern gateway of the fort popularly called the Talaqui darwaza or the forbidden gateway, merges the typical Isalmic pointed arch with Hindu Chhatris and brackets; whereas the southern gateway called the Humayun Darwaza also features the same projections. All the gates are constructed in double-storeyed sandstone structures lined by two huge semi-circular citadel towers which are decorated with white and coloured-marble inlays and blue tiles.

In terms of ornamentation, the walls are decorated with intricate detailing, like ornate overhanging balconies, jharokhas, pillared pavilions chhatris on top that evocates Rajasthani architecture.

Several other monuments that existed in the complex include Kairul Manzil - the mosque built by Maham Anga, Akbar's foster-mother, and which was later being used as a madarsa. The south gate to Shergarh known as the Sher Shah Suri Gate or Lal Darwaza, lies opposite the Purana Qila complex, across Mathura Road. In the back of the complex, lies the Bhairon Mandir, which dates back to the times of Pandavas. Today it is considered among the most commonly visited temples of the capital.

The single-domed Qila-i-Kuna Mosque was built by Sher Shah in 1541 and portrays as an excellent example of a pre-Mughal design. The pointed arch in the region as seen in its five doorways depicts the true horseshoe-shaped arches. Today it is the best preserved building the Purana Qila. The Sher Mandal stands on the southern direction of the mosque. This double-storeyed tower is topped by an octagonal chhatri supported by eight pillars and decorated with white marble.

Today the surrounding area is covered with greenry and the water bodies where people are seen indulging in boating which makes it a perfect picnic spot.