Purana Qila

May 31, 2023

A recent round of excavations at the site of Delhi’s Purana Qila or Old Fort has uncovered evidence of the continuous history of the city since the pre-Mauryan era.

About Purana Qila:

  • Location:
    • It is located on the South Eastern part of the present city of New Delhi
    • It is one of the oldest forts in Delhi and built on the banks of river Yamuna.
  • The present citadel at Purana Qila started its construction in the reign of  Humayun and was completed by Sher Shah Suri (‘The Lion King’).
  • The Qila was inspired by Jama Masjid, which was established 15 years before the reconstruction of Qila.
  • Architecture:
    • It is rectangular in shape and is spread over an area of 1.5 kilometers. 
    • Another amazing feature of the Purana Qila are the three gates that are a display of a happy blend of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture. – Bara Darwaza or the Big Gate facing west, the Humayun Gate facing south, and the Talaqqi Gate, which is often referred to as the forbidden gate.
    • All of the gates are double-storeyed and comprise of huge semi-circular bastions flanking either of their sides.
    • These bastions are equal in frequency, except for in the westward wall, where they are built at a distance of 73 meters from each other.
    • The eastern and western walls of the Qila are the tallest, which were specifically designed for safeguarding the Kings residing within the four-walls.
    • All the walls surrounding the Qila are 0.33 meters thick and supported by bastions.

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