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| Old Fort |
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Old Fort in Delhi, as they say, stands on the ancient site of Indraprastha, the capital city of the mythological Pandavas. Some ancient gray-ware pottery dated 1000 B.C. has been found there coinciding with the timeline but this is not the only reason Old Fort is famous for. The fort was built in mid 16th century (1545) by Sher Shah Suri and thereafter Humayun. It is a mix of early Mughal, Afghani and Hindu architecture which gives it a very graceful air around it.
The Bara Darwaza, Humayun Darwaza and Talaaqi Darwaza were the main entry gates but today only the first one is used as the only entrance to the fort. All the three gates are double storied and huge in size, made completely of red sandstone. |
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Talaaqi Darwaza was supposed to be forbidden to use but its reason is not yet known. This was originally an octagonal building with an 18m high rampart running for two kms. A boating Club and the National Zoological Park are located very near to Old Fort giving the area a lush green cover.
Location
Old Fort or Purana Quila is situated near Pragati Maidan and Boat Club, around four kms from Connaught Place.
Light and Sound Show
There is a special screening of a bilingual light and sound show to take you back to history every evening.
Within Old Fort
All the three Darwazas are richly carved and their splendor is awe-inspiring. Attached to the fort is the Qila-I-Kuhna Mosque whose western wall called the 'Qibla' has five richly ornamented arched openings with black and white marble. The central portion of the mosque is made up of white marble and red sandstone giving out a beautiful contrast. The central alcove is topped by a beautifully worked dome. In the courtyard at one time there was a shallow tank, which had a fountain.
The mosque has an inscription which says 'As long as there are people on this earth, may this edifice be frequented, and people be happy in it.' Nearby is an imposing two-storey octagonal pleasure tower Sher Shah Suri made for himself which leads to the roof of the Old Fort. Humayun converted this place into a library and observatory where he ultimately fell from the stairs and died in 1556 A.D. |
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