Purana Qila

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.