The Purana Qila is said to be one of the oldest forts of India. Some of the locals said that it was first called Sher Fort or Shergarh. It is also one of the most enchanting historical sites in Delhi. The Purana Qila is a must-visit place in Delhi. The fort was built in the year 1538 by then Mughal King Shah Suri. The fort is famous for its vast history, architecture, photography, and more.
Entrance fee – 20/- INR for Indians, 200/- INR for International Tourists. INR 80/- extra for the light and sound show.
Visiting hours – 7 am to 5 pm
Duration – An hour or two would be enough to check this place out, but its completely your choice.
Believe it or not, Purana Qila was not on my list of places to visit in Delhi. Let me say this straight, while on my journey to Himachal Pradesh I did not prioritize my stay in Delhi. So I did not know much about this place until my cab driver suggested this place. I am so glad I visited it.
The fort narrates the history of the Mughal rule in India. There are guides available near the entrances to tell you about the history of the fort for the locals as well as international tourists without the language barriers.
The Architecture of Purana Qila
The Purana Qila has 3 main majestic gates also called Darwaza.
- The Humayun Darwaza
- The Bada Darwaza
- The Talaqi Darwaza
The Bada Darwaza and the Humayun Darwaza are the are the 2 gates opened for entry. Whereas, the Talaqi Darwaza is prohibited. These are some of the major attractions of Purana Qila.
Bada Darwaza
This western entrance was most probably built by Humayun. It is a part of the main fortifications. The patterns and art depict the Mughal Empire. The materials used were sandstone and marble. Jharokhas and Chhatris also served as a decorative purpose.
Other major attractions in the site are.
- Qila-I-Kuhna Masjid
- Sher Mandal
- Small museum
Qila-I-Kuhna Masjid
The leader of the Sur dynasty, Sher Shah built this mosque after his victory over Humayun in 1541. It has a single dome and 5 entrances.
Sher Mandal
When Humayun captured Purana Qila back, he transformed the Sher Mandal as his library. The Sher Mandal structure is made up of red sandstone. This is said to be the place where Humayun fell down from the steps of this structure while rushing for his evening prayers. The event leads to his death.
It was not easy for us to tour Delhi at 42°C.
The Museum
While the museum will surely provide all the details of the beginning and the end of the Mughals during the time. The museum also has many artifacts, statues, and more.
Places to Visit Nearby
How to Reach Purana Qila?
Delhi is well connected to other metro cities in India. Pragati Metro Station is the nearest metro station to Purana Qila on the blue line. The fort is around 1-2Kms away from the metro station. You can also choose to travel via rickshaw or local buses. You can also hire a private cab to travel around the city.
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