Purana Qila, Delhi
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Purana Qila, literally 'old fort' stands on an ancient mound. Excavations near its eastern wall reveal that the site has been continuously occupied since 1000 BC. It is also believed to be the place where Indraprastha, the Pandava capital mentioned in the epic Mahabharata, once stood. Purana Qila and its environs flourished as the sixth city of Delhi.
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[edit] The Citadel & its History
It was here that Humayun, the second Mughal emperor began to construct his city, Dinpanah (Asylum of Faith), four years after his father Babur established the Mughal dynasty in 1526. However, Humayun's reign was short-lived and, in 1540 he was dispossessed of his fledgling empire by the Afghan chieftain, Sher Shah Suri who ruled from 1540 to 1545. When Sher Shah took possession of the citadel, he strengthened its fortifications, added several new structures and renamed it Shergarh. After his death, his successors were defeated by Humayun who recaptured his domains in 1555. Today, of the many palaces, barracks and houses that once existed only Sher Shah's mosque and the building said to be Humayun's library remain. The Yamuna once flowed on the fort's eastern side and formed a natural moat.
The present entrance, an imposing red sandstone gate on the western wall called the Bara Darwaza (Main Gate) is one of the three principal gates of Shergarh. Its double-storeyed facade, surmounted by chhatris and approached by a steep ramp, still displays traces of tiles and carved foliage. Humayun's Gate, on the southern wall, has an inscription bearing Sher Shah's name and the date 950 AH (1543-4 AD). To the north, the Taliqi Darwaza (Forbidden Gate) has carved reliefs and across the road is the red sandstone Lal Darwaza (Red Gate) or Sher Shah Gate, one of the entrances to the township that grew around the fort.
[edit] Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque
The single-domed Qila-i-Kuna Mosque, built by Sher Shah in 1541 is an excellent example of a pre-Mughal design. The prayer hall inside has five elegant arched niches or mihrabs set in its western wall. Marble in shades of red, white and slate is used for the calligraphic inscriptions and marks a transition from Lodhi to Mughal architecture. A second storey provided space for female courtiers to pray, while the arched doorway on the left wall, framed by ornate jharokas, was reserved for members of the royal family.
[edit] Sher Mandal
The Sher Mandal stands to the south of the mosque. This double-storeyed octagonal tower of red sandstone was built by Sher Shah and was used as a library by Humayun after he recaptured the fort. The tower is topped by an octagonal chhatri supported by eight pillars and decorated with white marble. Inside there are remnants of the decorative plaster-work and traces of stone-shelving where, presumably, the emperor's books were placed. This was also the tragic spot where, on 24 January, 1556 Humayun slipped off the stairs, missed his footing and stumbled to his death.
[edit] Gallery
 'Bara Darwaza' (Main Entrance) |
 Sher Mandal |
 Humayun Gate (Southern Ramparts) |
 Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque |
 Mosque 'Peshtak' (Entrance Arch) |
 Mosque detail |
 Exterior of Purana Qila |
 Purana Qila Ramparts (Vintage Collection) |
