Purana Qila

Purana Qila, Delhi 

Purana Quila is definitely worth including in your itinerary. Built by Mughal emperor Humayun and Afghan ruler Sher Shah, the walls of the fort have three gates and are surrounded by a moat fed by the river Yamuna. The wall was built by Humayun while the buildings in the fort are attributed to Sher Shah. The notable buildings that have survived in the fort are the Sher Mandal and the Quila-I-kholina Mosque. Purana Quila is also the venue for a spectacular sound and light show held every evening.

History of Purana Qila

It is widely believed that Emperor Humayun had built this fort and adorned it with colossal gateways back in the early part of the 16th-century. Further, he laid the foundation for his new capital Din Panah at this location. When Sher Shah Suri took control of the structure after defeating Humayun in 1540, he renamed it as Shergarh. During his rule of five years, he made quite a few structural additions to the fort complex.

Over the years, the fort has been the location of many temporary settlements. At the time of the Second World War, this fort served as a camp to around 3000 Japanese people. After the country’s independence and partition, the fort provided shelter to several thousands of people crossing over to Pakistan from Delhi.

Architecture of Purana Qila

Purana Qila is a massive structure with walls rising up to a height of up to 18 meters. They cover 1.5 km in length. Shaped in a rectangular pattern, the fort is adorned with three arched entrances namely the Bara Darwaza (Big Gate), the Humayun Darwaza (South Gate), and the Talaqi Darwaza (Forbidden Gate). All three gates bear a similar feature – that is, they are double-storied structures built in sandstone and adorned with two gigantic semi-circular towers. The ornate detailing on the pavilions (chhatris) and balconies (jharokhas) of the fort gateways display traces of Rajasthani style. The Qila-i-Kunha Mosque situated within the fort exhibits five doorways and is designed in the Indo-Islamic architectural style.

Qila-e-Kuhna Mosque at Purana Qila

A beautiful rendition of Indo- Islamic architectural style, the mosque was built by Sher Shah in 1541. The single domed mosque has pointed arches in the shape of horseshoe seen extensively in the five doorways. Primarily called the ‘Jami Mosque’, the shrine was built for Friday prayers for the king himself and his courtesans. The rectangular prayer hall has five arches or prayer niches (mihrabs) set in the Western walls- the direction of Kaaba. The interiors have been inscribed on the florid, white and slatey marbles. Sometime in the past the courtyard also has a water tank for Wuzu purpose.

The second storey which can be accessed through a flight of stairs on the side was the prayer room for the females. The arches doorways here are ornamented by jharokas (for the purdah); the building being reserved for the royal ladies. An inscription on the wall translates to “As long as there are people on the earth, may this edifice be frequented and people be happy and cheerful in it.”

Sher Mandal at Purana Qila

The double storeyed octagonal building built in red stone with a Chhatri on the top. Sher Mandal was constructed with the purpose of pleasure chambers for the king. He used it to read and rest and enjoy the view of the city below from the top of the tower. It is believed that the building was intended to be built higher and used as an observatory, but due to the untimely death of the king, the construction was called off.

The interiors are done with plaster-work, and there are traced of stone-shelving, for the kings to store his books. It is believed that Humayun died here by tumbling down the steps of the library, rushing for the evening prayers. Entry to the library is now closed for visit.

Archaeological Museum at Purana Qila

The museum at Purana Qila houses the many specimens excavated from the fort site by the Archaeological Survey of India. The numerous artefacts and findings of 1954-55 and 1969-73 by the archaeologist B. B. Lal, are displayed here. The exhibits include painted greyware dating back to 1500 BC, various pottery and objects from the ancient empires of Kushana, Rajputs, Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals.

Things to Do at Purana Qila

1. Admire the marvellous fortifications and the enormous gates.

2. Visit the Qila-e- Khana mosque within the premises.

3. Check out the Sher Mandal which is supposedly the place where Sher Shah took his last breaths.

4. Stop over at the museum to look at the wondrous preserves and archaeological findings.

5. Do not miss the Light and Sound show held in the evening.

6. Stroll down the beauteous garden and enjoy a quiet picnic with your friends/ family.

7. Experience the boat ride in the moat.

Light and Sound Show at Purana Qila

The light and Sound show was inaugurated in 2011 in Purana Qila and has been a massive hit ever since. It is a brilliant presentation of the journey of Delhi from the Mughal Era to British India to the modern day Delhi. Very aptly named as “Ishq- e- Dilli”, the visual presentation makes you fall in love with the city. Starting with the 11th century Delhi, the show covers the myth of Mahabharat and Indraprastha as well and brings you back to the present timeline. Some parts are displayed in 3D, and the show is a cannot miss activity if in the fort.

The Hindi show is played from 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM, while the English show is played between 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Fridays are off. Tickets are priced at INR 100 for adults and INR 50 for kids (between 3 to 12 years of age).

Best Time To Visit Purana Qila

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.

Tips For Visiting Purana Qila

• Carry a mosquito repellant, especially if you are planning to go for the Light and Sound Show.
• Wear light-coloured comfortable clothes as Delhi can get really hot.
• We advise you not to wear heels, as the place requires a lot of walking around.
• We request you to not litter. Use the dustbins to dispose waste.
• Carry a water bottle to stay hydrated.
• Tickets to the Light and Sound Show can only be bought up to an hour before the show begins.

How To Reach Purana Qila

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 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.