Bara Darwaza (Big Gate) in the Purana Qila

It was probably built by the 2nd Mughal Emperor Humayun between 1533-1534 CE as part of main fortifications. It is a triple storey structure made of rubble masonry; 20 m in height, it has bastions on the either side with the curtain wall have arrow and gun slits. The gate has been decorated with inlay patterns in white and greyish black marble and sandstone, stone carvings and tile work. One can see 2 hexagrams (6 pointed star) inlaid on either side of the main arch.

Purana Qila Ramparts and lake

In 1533, three years after ascending the throne of Delhi, Humayun led the foundation of the 6th citadel of Delhi. He named it Din panah, or the refuge of the faithful. But in 1540 Humayun was ousted by Sher Shah Suri, who destroyed the existing citadel of Din panah and raised his own citadel in the same site and called it Shergarh.

Purana Qila Ramparts and lake

The city of Din Panah was founded in July 1533 and is cited to have been completed within the span of a year. A Gurkani era seal on the walls of the citadel indicates April 1534 as the year of its completion. In practical terms, much of the construction may very likely have continued and the date likely relates to the erection of the walls of the citadel and possibly the court taking up residence inside and a few city houses cropping up.

Purana Qila Ramparts and lake

The citadel of Dinapah is a monumental testament of Humayun’s love for nature and fine living. Its forty feet high walls are speculated to have been constructed within nine months of putting in place the foundation stone. The entire area encased within the lofty walls measures some 1950 feet in length and 950 feet in width. Humayun plan was to populate the interior with pleasure gardens, orchards and multiple tired palaces of beauty and grace.

Purana Qila Ramparts and lake

Purana Qila is built on the banks of river Yamuna and is the oldest fort of Delhi. It has been said that the fort was previously built by the Pandavas for their kingdom Indraprastha as some grey ware of that period was found during excavations.

Purana Qila

A creative builder and an expert astrologer, Humayun, practically supervised every aspect of Din Panaha’s construction starting with determining the exact date of its founding in June 1533.

The Sher Mandal

The squat red-brick tower is another monument built by Sher Shah Sur during his occupation of Din Panah. Six months after the reconquest of his lost realm, Humayun tumbled down its staircase sustaining fatal injuries that led to his death in 1556. Throughout his life, the crafty Afghan had remained Humayun’s nemesis. Sher Shah not only ousted the Gurkani from his throne of Hindustan but the tower he built ultimately became the cause of Humayun’s death.

Humayun Darwaza, Purana Qila

There are three Gates to Purana Qila. Today entrance is through the Bara Darwaza. The South Gate is called the Humayun Darwaza, probably because Humayun built it or because the tomb of Humayun is visible from here. The third gate is the Talaqi Darwaza.

Humayun Darwaza, Purana Qila

It is called the Humayun Darwaza although most probably it was built not by Humayun but by his nemesis, Sher Shah Suri. It gets this name in all likelihood because Sher Shah left it unemployed and Humayun completed it, but a more likely explanation is that the Humayun’s Tomb, another prime monument in Delhi, is visible from the walls of this gate on the South. An inscription on the gate refers to Sher Shah with the date as 1543 – 44 AD.

Humayun Darwaza, Purana Qila

The Humayun Darwaza dominates the southern horizon with its twin domes shaped like umbrellas (Chattris). From a distance it looks just like a flat wall as one walks past the smooth, palm lined path towards it. But as you come nearer, you realize that it is not just a mere gate but a whole structure built like a fort.

Baoli

Baoli is a stepped well which was used in ancient time to conserve water during monsoon seasons. Rainfall in India is limited to the monsoon season and in order to meet the water demands, the Baolis were built. It was an perfect place to beat the heat during scorching summer season. Hence, beyond the time, as the forts were reckless, these Baolis were also forgotten with those of lost monuments.

Qila-e-Kuhna Mosque

Inside the fort is stands the famous Qila-e-Kuhna Mosque. The mosque was built by Sher Shah Suri in 1541 as a place of private worship for him and his close followers. The calligraphy etched on the walls of the mosque marks a shift from the Lodhi architecture to Mughal architecture. The mosque is rectangular in shape and built mainly from marble. Despite its old age, it’s still the best preserved structure in the Old Fort.

Talaqi Darwaza - The Forbidden Gate

The folklore says, a king had once passed through this gate to fight a battle, with directions to the gatekeepers to keep it shut until the king returned victorious. But the king never returned, and since then the door has been kept closed. Gradually, it became an isolated area of the fort because of zero movement, but became a door to such stories.

Talaqi Darwaza – The Forbidden Gate

The third in the troika is the Talaqi Gate which is otherwise called the Forbidden entryway and barely do individuals get permitted to go towards that side. Each door is twofold stories and is flanked by two or three semi-round bastion towers. They have additionally been embellished with white marble decorates and are done well with overhanging galleries.

Talaaqi Darwaza, Purana Qila

Calligraphy on the wall of Talaaqi Darwaza, Purana Qila

Built in red sandstone wall, Purana Qila

The ruins of the palaces