Purana Qila Delhi is the oldest structure built in the confinements of the city, Delhi. Standing pensively besieged by wild flora, Purana Quila is two kilometers in the circuit area and on lines of an efficient fortress design, it is rectangular in shape.
Foundation of Purana Quila was laid down by Humayun in 1533 in the form of massive gateway and walls. With time, as the rule over the city changed hands from Humayun to Sher Shah Suri, final construction works was carried out under the reign of Sher Shah Suri.
Two of the prominent features of the Purana Quila are the northern gateway also known as Talaqui Darwaza (forbidden gateway), and the southern gateway called the Humayun Darwaza. These two gateways are amalgamation of typically Islamic pointed arch exemplified by the Hindu Chhatris and brackets which completes the overall design of this fortress. The walls of Purana Quila also coddle a mosque built by Sher Shah Suri in 1541 which goes by the name of Qila-i-kuhna masjid.
A riveting lore, which says that this fort is believed to be constructed by the Pandavas rather than the Mughals, gives it air of mystic and yet another reason to the people around the world to visit and enjoy their trip to the Purana Quila. Purana Quila is undoubtedly an experience which is hard to come by and should not be overlooked by anyone who genuinely likes to time travel via such marvelous structures.
History of Purana Qila, Delhi
You may end up getting confused if you go through the history books for checking out the history of Purana Qila. Popular belief is that the qila was built on the historical site of Indraprastha by Humayun and Sher Shah Suri. However, it is difficult to discriminate between their works as it is more or less similar.
The common belief is that the walls and gates were built under the guidance of Humayun, while the buildings within the qila including the mosque and the Sher Mandal, have been built by Sher Shah Suri. In nutshell, it is believed that Humayun had rebuilt Indraprashtha and had named it Dinpanah, while Sher Shah improved the citadel.
Purana Qila is rectangular in shape and is spread over an area of 1.5 kilometers. The walls at the east and west side of the qila are the largest. Each wall of the qila is 0.33 meters thick and and is sealed by massive bastions at each end. Unlike the other forts of the city, the walls of Purana Qila are not provided with frequent bastions. It is only on the west wall that the frequency of bastions has been increased, with each bastion placed about 73 metres away from the other. This was probably because the qila was surrounded by water from the rest of the sides, leading to increased safety.
The bastioned ramparts of the Purana Qila are an epitome of strength. These massive structures are created of rubber masonry. 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.
