Purana Qila Delhi, the Urdu name fort Old Fort which was formerly called Shergarh or Sher Fort is one of the oldest forts in Delhi. It is made of red sandstone and has three arched gates.
If you like integrity, then this is the perfect place for your outing. You will find a blend of Mughal, Afghan and Hindu architecture in the construction of the building.
It is a huge fort and will take about two and a half to three hours to explore the whole fort. It is often called Delhi ka Purana Qila by the locals. The fort is believed to be more than 5000 years old.
India is a land of cultural heritage and visiting an ancient fort-like Purana Qila Delhi is one of the best ways to know about the different cultures. The quiet and serene Old Fort is not just a site of historical interest, but also a popular picnic spot and lover’s point for couples.
The place is more popular because of its location on the Delhi Mathura road at the heart of the city. This place has an amazing blend of Afghan architecture, Mughal architecture, Hindu architecture, and Rajasthani style. It is one of the best and most visited sites in New Delhi Monuments.
The walls of the Qila are so old and rugged, yet it feels they have a story to tell, a story to convey to the upcoming generations.
The key attraction of the place is three magnificent gateways, the Qila-i-Kuhna, a single domed structure built in typical Mughal architectural style with five doorways, the Sher Mandal, the spot from which Emperor Humayun slipped and died, a light and sound show, and Purana Qila boating experience at the outskirts of the fort.
Instructions to visit the Old Fort
- Don’t forget to take your camera while you visit the Purana Qila. There’s a lot for you to capture. You can take still camera for free. However, you will have to pay a fee for carrying a video camera.
- Do protect yourself from mosquitoes while you visit the Light and Sound Show at the Purana Qila in the evenings.
- Club your visit to Purana Qila with a trip to nearby places like Delhi Zoo, India Gate, Children’s Park, Nizam-ud-din’s shrine. You can also explore shopping at nearby areas like Connaught Place, Palika Bazaar, Janpath and Sunder Nagar Market Delhi Tour Packages.
History of Purana Qila
It was initially believed that the fort was constructed in 1533 CE by the Mughal Emperor Humayun as a part of the city of Din Panah. But very soon, Sher Shah captured the city and named it Shergarh; he added some structures to the complex and the fort along with its environs came to be known as the “sixth city of Delhi”. Not long after, Sher Shah died and the fort went back to Humayun. After being possessed by several rulers for really short terms, it fell in the hands of the British Delhi Tourism.
When Edward Lutyens designed the new Delhi in 1920s, he aligned the Rajpath with Purana Qila. During the Partition of India, the fort served as the refugee camp for the migrating Muslims. Much later, in 1970s, the National School of Drama first used the fort to theatre its plays- Tughlaq, Andha Yug and Sultan Razia. Gradually, it became a common venue to host cultural events and concerts.
However, the most recent excavations done by the Archaeological Survey of India in 2013-14 suggest that the fort dates back to the 3rd Century BC at the time of the pre-Mauryan Empire. In the past, the excavations made by the archaeologist B. B. Lal extracted evidence that proved similarity in the traces found at all the sites mentioned in the Mahabharat.
Architecture of Purana Qila
The fort boasts of medieval style Mughal architecture, with the fortification as high as 18 metres, embellished with blue stone-work. The cascade built on a slightly raised piece of land has three entrances- the west gate known as Bara Darwaza, which is still in use; the south gate is known as Humayun’s Gate, either because Humayun got it constructed or Humayun’s Tomb can be seen at a distance; the last gate is called the Talaqi Gate or the ‘forbidden gate’. The two-storeyed gates are lined with huge semi-circular rampart towers and ornamented with white marbles and blue stone inlay work.
The magnificent tower boasts of detailed interior work with protruding balconies (jharokas) and elaborate Rajasthani style pavilions (chattris) over the roof. Besides the grandeur of the fort, the lawns present a lush green landscape and accentuate the elegance and beauty of the place.
Light and Sound Show at Purana Qila
The light and Sound show was inaugurated in 2011 in Purana Qila and has been a massive hit ever since. It is a brilliant presentation of the journey of Delhi from the Mughal Era to British India to the modern day Delhi. Very aptly named as “Ishq- e- Dilli”, the visual presentation makes you fall in love with the city. Starting with the 11th century Delhi, the show covers the myth of Mahabharat and Indraprastha as well and brings you back to the present timeline. Some parts are displayed in 3D, and the show is a cannot miss activity if in the fort.
The Hindi show is played from 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM, while the English show is played between 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Fridays are off. Tickets are priced at INR 100 for adults and INR 50 for kids (between 3 to 12 years of age).
Best Time To Visit Purana Qila
The perfect time to visit Purana Qila is around 3:00 PM preferably during winters (to keep away from the heat of Delhi). You can get enough time to stroll around, sit in the lawns, enjoy boating before you can witness the marvellous sound and light show post-sunset and head back.
How To Reach Purana Qila
Delhi is a state well connected through metro and state-run buses. The nearest metro station to Purana Qila is Pragati Maidan Metro, situated on the blue line. The fort is around 2 kms from the metro; you can either hire a local or a battery run rickshaw. You can also book a taxi cab for a more comfortable journey. Alternatively, you can travel in one of the buses which will be relatively economical.
Metro: The nearest metro station to Purana Qila is Pragati Maidan Metro Station on the Blue line. The fort is at a distance of 2 km from the station. You can take an auto or a rickshaw to reach the fort after you get unboard the metro.
Bus: Purana Qila is located in one of the prime areas of Delhi. Buses number 73, 901, 405, 423, 502 and 425 ply to and from Purana Qila to various parts of the city.
Auto/Cab/Taxi: One can use autorickshaws, cabs or taxis to reach Purana Qila too. Delhi has an amazing network of these medium of transportation. You can order them online via apps like Ola, Uber and Jugnoo or look out for them randomly while you are on road. Just be aware that autos, cabs and taxis follow a meter system, for calculating the fare. So, don’t get fooled while you are negotiating with them.
