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Purana Qila Overview
Purana Qila is Urdu for Old Fort and is situated in New Delhi. It is often referred to as Shergarh or Sher Fort after the Mughal Emperor Sher Shah Suri, who began its construction. 

Purana Qila is said to be inhabited for the past 2,500 years, and excavations at the site show evidence for materials belonging to the pre-Mauryan era. 

The present citadel started its construction in the reign of Humayun and was completed by Sher Shah Suri.  The fort is said to be built at the site of Indraprastha, which according to the Mahabharata, was the capital of the kingdom of the Pandavas. 

This 1.5 km long site of construction is known to have three gateways – Bara Darwaza or the Big Gate facing west, the Humayun Gate facing south, and the Talaqqi Gate, which is often referred to as the forbidden gate. 

All of the gates are double-storeyed and comprise of huge semi-circular bastions flanking either of their sides. 

Both, the gates and bastions are decorated with white and blue-tiled marbles, only adding on to the aesthetic appeal of the fort. The reminiscent features of Rajasthani architecture dazzle along with the Islamic architecture from the Mughal era, thus making Purana Qila a heritage site.

Location: Purana Qila is located in Delhi, the capital of India, and acts as a place of cultural as well as historical significance.

Address: Mathura Rd, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Delhi, 110003, India

Timings: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM



Purana Qila is Urdu for Old Fort and is situated in New Delhi. It is often referred to as Shergarh or Sher Fort after the Mughal Emperor Sher Shah Suri, who began its construction.

Purana Qila is said to be inhabited for the past 2,500 years, and excavations at the site show evidence for materials belonging to the pre-Mauryan era. 

The present citadel started its construction in the reign of Humayun and was completed by Sher Shah Suri.  The fort is said to be built at the site of Indraprastha, which according to the Mahabharata, was the capital of the kingdom of the Pandavas.

This 1.5 km long site of construction is known to have three gateways – Bara Darwaza or the Big Gate facing west, the Humayun Gate facing south, and the Talaqqi Gate, which is often referred to as the forbidden gate.

All of the gates are double-storeyed and comprise of huge semi-circular bastions flanking either of their sides.

Both, the gates and bastions are decorated with white and blue-tiled marbles, only adding on to the aesthetic appeal of the fort. The reminiscent features of Rajasthani architecture dazzle along with the Islamic architecture from the Mughal era, thus making Purana Qila a heritage site.

History of Purana Qila:



According to the mythological belief, Purana Qila was built at the site of Indraprastha from Mahabharata, which dates back to the 3rd century BCE. Later on, Humanyun and Sher Shah Suri renovated the site to the Qila.

It is said that the massive walls and gates were constructed under Humayun’s guidance, while the building within the walls, including the mosque, was built by Sher Shah Suri.

In simple terms, the Indraprastha was rebuilt by Humayun under his reign and was called Dinpanah, while the citadel was improved by Sher Shah Suri. The two most prominent attractions of the Qila are Sher Mandal and Qila-i-Kunha Masjid.

Sher Mandal was built as a cenotaph in order to honor Humayun’s death.  On the other hand, the Qila-i-Kuhna was constructed in 1541 AD.

The Indo-Islamic architecture decorating the interior and exterior walls of it only speaks of its cultural significance. In fact, it is described as the epitome of Indo-Islamic architecture by Fergusson.

The Qila was inspired by Jama Masjid, which was established 15 years before the reconstruction of Qila. Sher Shah Suri only vivified the construction with avant-garde composition and structure.

The Architecture of Purana Qila:

Purana Qila is rectangular in shape and spreads across a sprawling campus of 1.5 km. The eastern and western walls of the Qila are the tallest, which were specifically designed for safeguarding the Kings residing within the four-walls. All the walls surrounding the Qila are 0.33 meters thick and supported by bastions.

These bastions are equal in frequency, except for in the westward wall, where they are built at a distance of 73 meters from each other.

According to historicists, this was done to protect the Qila from being submerged in water as the Qila was surrounded by ounces of water on all four sides.

The bastioned parapets are built of rubber masonry. The three gates flanking the Qila speak of the frivolous Indo-Islamic relations and the Muslim and Hindu architectural styles. 

The north most gate of the Qila is known as the Tallaqi Darwaza.

It is engraved with panels and paintings showcasing mortal combat between a human and a lion. The notable and dazzling buildings of Sher Mandal and Qil-i-Kunha lie within the four walls of the Qila and attracts many tourists due to their intricate carvings.

How To Reach

From Delhi Airport



There are multiple ways through which one can reach Purana Qila from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi:

By Metro: 
Get a metro from the Indira Gandhi International Airport to New Delhi Station, and then change the trains from New Delhi Railway Station Gate 1 to the Zoo. Purana Qila is only a 6-minute walk away from the Zoo. It will take an hour to cover this distance.

By Taxi:
 
Taxis are the most convenient but the most expensive resort to commuting to the Purana Qila from Indira Gandhi International Airport. They are available right outside the airport.

By online cabs: 
There are various online taxi services available right outside the Indira Gandhi International Airport that will take you to Purana Qila in a time of 20 minutes.

Best Time To Visit



The best time to visit Purana Qila is in autumn from September to November and in spring from March to April. During autumn, the heat of the sun is soft on the skin, which makes sightseeing during afternoons easier, while the evenings maybe a little cold, so it is advisable to carry a light jacket. 

On the other hand, spring is blooming with flowers and lush green land around the qila, which makes for an appealing sight around the fort. 
Summers and winters in Delhi are extreme, while monsoon is accompanied by unpredictable and heavy showers, which makes sightseeing impossible.

Other Essential Information



Location:
 
Purana Qila is located in Delhi, the capital of India, and acts as a place of cultural as well as historical significance.

Address: Mathura Rd, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Delhi, 110003, India

Timings: 
Purana Qila is open for public visits throughout the week. The timings to visit the Qila are:

Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tips for Visiting Purana Qila



On your visit to the Purana Qila, there are certain things you should keep in mind:

- Wear insect or mosquito repellent as most of the Qila is situated in the wilderness, which is home to various insects that will vex you during your sojourn.

- Carry cameras to capture the dainty surroundings and intricate architecture of the walls, ceilings, and bastions.

- Tickets to the Light and Sound Show can only be bought up to an hour before the show begins.

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Purana Qila FAQs

Who has built Purana Qila?

The construction of the Purana Qila began under the reign of Sher Shah Suri. However, it was completed by Humayun, who conquered him. It is known to have been constructed at the site of Indraprastha from Mahabharatha, and entourages the monumental depictions of Indo-Islamic architectural designs.

 It is a cluster of small buildings built on an island-like land, which is surrounded by water on all sides. Thus, during construction, it was kept in mind to build the walls tall and thick in order to protect the interiors from any damage caused due to overflow of water.

Why is Purana Qila famous?

Purana Qila is famous for multiple reasons, the primary reason being its Indo-Islamic architectural design. The ceilings and walls are carved with intricate patterns and topped with massive domes.

Other than that, the Qila-i-Kuhna built within the periphery of the fort is a respectable mosque constructed by Sher Shah. Sher Mandal is yet another pictorial monument and one of the first observatories built by Babur for his son, Humayun.

What is the significance of Purana Qila?

Purana Qila displays the Mughal era architecture and culture at its zenith. Other than that, it is the site of the death of Humayun, who fell from the second storey of Sher Mandal, his observatory and library during the chaos of gathering necessary paraphernalia for prayer.

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