Purana Qila Delhi History and Interesting Facts

Purana Qila Quick Facts

Purana Qila Overview

The Purana Quila, located in the capital of the country, Delhi, is one of the oldest forts in India. This fort was the inner fort of the ancient Dina-Panaah city situated on the banks of the River Yamuna. This fort was built by Sher Shah Suri soon after defeating Humayun. It was a symbol of his victory, in which a mixture of ancient Mughal architecture is seen.

Purana Qila History

The History of the old fort is as interesting as the history of Humayun and Sher Shah Suri. During the Battle of Chausa in the year 1539, Sher Shah Suri, the founder of the Sur Dynasty, defeated the Mughal Emperor Humayun. In the joy of victory, Sher Shah Suri started the construction of this historical monument in 1539, which was completed by 1545. Sher Shah Suri had subdued the two Mughal centers of Delhi and Agra.

The old fort was built by Sher Shah Suri to keep Delhi safe from the Mughals. Unfortunately, after Sher Shah Suri died in 1545, Humayun regained Delhi and Agra. Humayun used the Sher Mandal (an octagonal red sandstone tower) as his Library and later as an Observatory.

According to the legend, Humayun died after falling from the steps of this tower and because of this the Mughals later decided to vacate this fort so that no more bad luck would happen to them there. Later, when Akbar shifted the capital to Delhi, he built the Red Fort to protect Delhi from foreign invasions.

Purana Qila Interesting Facts

1. This world famous fort was built between 1538 AD to 1545 AD by an Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri for his victory and protection.
2. This fort is the oldest fort in Delhi, which is located near Delhi Zoo on Mathura Road New Delhi.
3. Near the eastern wall of the old fort was re-excavated between 1969 and 1973. In which relics from the Maurya period (300 years BC) to the early Mughal period have been found.
4. It is believed that this fort is situated above a city named Indraprastha of ancient Mahabharata era, but in the excavation done between 1969 and 1973, no such remains were found from which it can be said that it is situated above the city named Indraprastha.
5. The height of the walls of this fort is about 18 meters, the length of these walls is about is 1.5 km.
6. The Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque, built in 1541 by Sher Shah Suri, consists of horseshoe-shaped arches and five gates.
7. It has 3 main main gates which are known as Humayun Darwaja, Talaki Darwaza and Bara Darwaza. All these doors are made of red sandstone.
8. The most important monument is the Sher Mandal located within this fort, which is 2 storeys high. Its structure is in the shape of an octagonal pavilion.
9. Near this fort is a garden, a lake surrounded by rows of trees and flowering plants, in which paddle-boating facilities are available.
10. This fort is built in the ancient Mughal architectural style, in which various types of carvings have been done.