Quick Facts
Location - Near Qutub Complex, Mehrauli Badarpur Road.
Built By - Ghiyas-ud- din Tughlaq
Known As - Cursed Fortress
Best Time To Visit - September- April
Visiting Hours - Open on all days from 8 am to 6 pm.
How To Reach - Tughlakabad Fort is located at Mehrauli Badarpur road
in south Delhi. It's on the busy road so, there is no problem to get to the
place as various local buses are plying to the place from various points of
the city. Also travelers can hire auto rickshaws and taxis.
History
Fifteen kilometers southeast of Connaught Place on the Mehrauli - Badarpur
road, a rocky escarpment holds the crumbling 6.5 kilometer long battlements
of the third city of Delhi, Tughlakabad, built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq
during a short reign from 1321 to 1325. Ghiyas-u-din Tughlaq, a Turk
governor who invaded Delhi in 1320 and defeated Nasirudin Mohammed, a Pawar
Rajput who adapted Islam. Tughlaq then created the third city of
Tughlakabad. The ruined fort of Tughalkabad was built by Ghiyas -ud-din
-Tughlaq.
After king's death the city was deserted, probably lack of clean water
source nearby. Tughlakabad is divided into three main portions, Tughlakabad
has its high walled citadel tot he south near the present entrance off the
main road. The southernmost of its thirteen gates still locks down on a
causeway, breached by the modern road, which rises above the flood plain, to
link the fortress with Ghyas-ud-din Tughlaq tomb, which rises beyond a
massive red sandstone gateway on a high plinth, surrounded pentagonal stone
walls. The later fortress of Adilabad, built by Muhammad Shah II, his son
was much of the same style as his father's citadel.
Other Medieval Cities Of Delhi
Quila Rai Pithora
Quila Rai Pithora was laid by Prithviraj Chauhan, also known as Rai
Pithora, a popular hero of Hindus resisted against Muslim rulers. His
ancestor captured Delhi from Tomar Rajput and made the city named Quila Rai
Pithora. The ruins are partly visible around the Qutub Minar.
Mehrauli
Mehrauli was founded by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, viceroy of Mohammed Ghori who
overcame Prithviraj Chauhan. After the death of Md. Ghori, Aibak enthroned
himself as a Sultan of Delhi and made a huge victory tower known as Qutub
Minar. Delhi was under Mamluk or Slave Dynasty. Qutub-ud-din set to create
Mehrauli by destroying all the temples and constructed mosques and Islamic
structures.
Siri
After Slave Dynasty, Khilji rulers ruled Delhi for some time. Among them
was Allaudin Khilji who extended his kingdom down southern India and created
thrid city known as Siri. A large reservoir called Hauz Khas was another
achievement of city Siri.
Ferozshah
One of the great Tughlaq ruler, Feroz Shah Tughlaq created the fourth city
of Delhi also known as Kotla Feroz Shah next to river Yamuna.
Shergarh
Sher Shah wrested Delhi from the Mughal emperor Humayun and built Purana
Quila and laid the foundation of Shergarh, another city of Delhi.
Shahjahanabad
Akbar's grandson Shah Jahan led the foundation of seventh city of Delhi in
old Delhi. He was credited to many architectural wonders of Delhi including
Jama Masjid, Red Fort. He also gifted Taj Mahal to the world, which is
located in Agra.
