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Ruined structures of Feroz Shah Kotla

Ruined structures of Feroz Shah Kotla

Firuz Shah Tughlaq (1351-88), the Sultan of Delhi, established the fortified city of Firozabad in 1354, as the new capital of the Delhi Sultanate on the banks of Yamuna river.

Passageway leading to the interiors of Feroz Shah Kotla or Firozabad

Passageway leading to the interiors of Feroz Shah Kotla or Firozabad

Firuz Shah was one of the greatest builders in medieval India and is estimated to have built as many as 845 buildings, tombs, sarais, bridges and other public utilities during his reign. He is said to have founded the cities of Ferozepur (Punjab), Hissar and Fatehabad (Haryana) and Jaunpur (Uttar Pradesh). He also built his own capital city near Delhi, which he named ‘Firozabad’.

Ruined structures of Feroz Shah Kotla

Ruined structures of Feroz Shah Kotla

Also known as Kushak-e-Firoz (the Palace of Firoz), Firoz Shah Kotla was built in 1354, along the banks of the river Yamuna (which has since changed its course further westwards). The main palaces faced the riverfront, with stairs leading down to the river. All around were enclosing walls (parts of which are still standing), 15m high and pierced by a double row of arrow slits, with circular bastions at the corners.

Some inexplicable remains

Some inexplicable remains

An arched gateway

An arched gateway

An arched gateway, Feroz Shah Kotla

An arched gateway, Feroz Shah Kotla

An arched gateway, Feroz Shah Kotla

An arched gateway, Feroz Shah Kotla

Ruins of Palaces in Firozabad

Ruins of Palaces in Firozabad

The Ashokan Pillar supported by the Pyramidal Structure

The Ashokan Pillar supported by the Pyramidal Structure

The most iconic building in the complex is the intriguing pyramidal structure and the Ashokan pillar atop it. Ashoka (268 BC -232 BC), one of the best known emperors from the subcontinent, had a habit of erecting gigantic sandstone pillars as well as rock edicts, with details of his activities and achievements. Couple of such pillars were noticed by Feroz Shah Tuqhlaq in Topra, near Ambala and set at the top of Palace.

Stepped pyramidal structure, crowned with the Ashokan Pillar, Feroz Shah Kotla

Stepped pyramidal structure, crowned with the Ashokan Pillar, Feroz Shah Kotla

This three-storey building was specially commissioned by Feroz Shah Tughlaq to support the Pillar of Ashoka. The pillar had been setup at Topra, near Ambala, by the great Mauryan Emperor Ashoka with several edicts regarding his principles of government inscribed on it. This monolith pillar is 13m high, with a diameter of 65 centimetres at the top and 97 centimetres at the bottom. By the order of Feroz Shah, it was brought to Delhi with great effort and reinstalled Here.

Inscription on Ashokan Pillar

Inscription on Ashokan Pillar

The stone monolith, approximately 13m tall, that stands atop the Pyramid of Cells, was set up in Ambala district by the Emperor Ashoka (r. 273-232 BC) of the Mauryan dynasty. Firoz Shah Tughlaq, on one of his excursions into the countryside, noticed the pillar and decided to bring it back to Delhi, to be erected at Firoz Shah Kotla

Ruins of Jami Masjid

Ruins of Jami Masjid

Adjacent to the Ashokan pillar is the Jami Masjid, the congregational mosque of Firoz Shah Kotla. Even though this building is far from intact (only the west and south walls now remain), it’s one of the few structures in Firoz Shah Kotla that are recognisable, and still in use.

Grand view of the Jami Masjid, from Hawa Mahal, Feroz Shah Kotla

Grand view of the Jami Masjid, from Hawa Mahal, Feroz Shah Kotla

Next to the pillar is the Jami Masjid. The masjid has entrance from the north with stairs leading up. Only the south & west walls survive. Friday prayers are still held in the courtyard.

Vaulted chambers below the Mosque

Vaulted chambers below the Mosque

The mosque has a series of vaulted chambers below that are frequently visited by people performing rituals to pacify the djinns. Djinns are thought of as supernatural beings, demons that are credited with the misfortunes in life.

Firozabad : The Fifth City of Delhi (1351–1388)

The fifth city of Delhi was built by Feroz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388 AD), who was known for his construction sprees and is credited with building of many civic amenities all over the city. He was not merely building a fortress but a whole new city on the banks of the Yamuna called Firozabad. On the top of his palace, Firoze planted Ashoka pillar which is around 1500 years old

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