OLD FORT (PURANA QUILA)DELHI

                                                                                            
 PURANA QUILA(OLD FORT) DELHI
Purana Qila ( Old Fort), is the inner citadel of the city of Dina-panah, founded by the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun in 1533 and completed in 1538. Purana Qila, situated on the banks of Yamuna, was constructed by the Mughal emperor Humayun. It is where Humayun's capital Din Panah was located. Later it was renovated and named Shergarh by first Afghan emperor of India, Sher Shah Suri. Old Fort is located just south-east of India Gate and north of Humayun’s Tomb and the Nizamuddin Railway Station.

Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque

                                                                              

The single-domed Qila-i-Kuna Mosque, built by Sher Shah in 1541 is an excellent example of a pre-Mughal design, and an early example of the extensive use of the pointed arch in the region as seen in its five doorways with the 'true' horseshoe-shaped arches. It was designed as a Jami Mosque, or Friday mosque for the Sultan and his courtiers. The prayer hall inside, the single-aisled mosque, measures 51.20m by 14.90m and has five elegant arched prayer niches or mihrabs set in its western wall. At one time, the courtyard had a shallow tank with a fountain.

Sher Mandal

The Sher Mandal stands to the south of the mosque. This double-storeyed octagonal tower of red sandstone with steep stairs leading up to the roof, It was built by Sher Shah. This was also the tragic spot where, on 24 January 1556 Humayun slipped while on his way to the evening namaz, fell headlong down the stairs and died of his injuries two days later.                           

                                                                    
Several other monument also lie around the complex, like Kairul Manzil, mosque built by Maham Anga, Akbar's foster-mother, and which was later used as a madarsa. Sher Shah Suri Gate or Lal Darwaza, which was the South Gate to Shergarh, the city he founded, also lies opposite the Purana Qila complex, across Mathura Road, south-east of the Kairul Manzil.

SPECIAL ATTRACTION

Sound and Light Show : The Sound and Light show at the Old Fort is an added attraction which you should not miss. During this one hour show, the rise and fall of Delhi from Indraprastha to Mughal era becomes live in Sound and Light. Voice of this Sound and Light show has been given by Bollywood personalities like Jaya Bachchan, Om Puri and others.

Show Timings

English Version : September to October & February to April – 20.30 p.m to 21.30 p.m.
November to January – 19.30 p.m. to 21.30 p.m.
May to August – 21.00 p.m to 22.00 p.m.

# Show Timings may vary, please confirm the timings from the Booking counter ITDC, Connaught Place or concerned authority.

            

                                                                         

HOW TO REACH OLD FORT DELHI

By Air : Delhi is well-connected by several domestic and international flights with important places of India and the world. Indra Gandhi International Airport and Palam airport are the two main airports of Delhi. These airports are five mnts away from each other and served by regular shuttle services.

By Train : Delhi, New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station are three main railheads of Delhi. Several mail, super fast, Rajdhani and Superfast trains connect Delhi to rest of the country.

By Bus : National Highways and State Highways connect Delhi with neighbouring states and other parts of India. Buses of DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) and other State Transport Corporation ply to and from Delhi.

Apart from buses, taxis, cars, auto-rickshaws and metro are other local modes of transport. You can reach Old Fort by taking any mode of local transport.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is not at all a problem in Delhi as the city is dotted with hundreds of good hotels, lodges, rest houses etc. You may opt any of the accommodation option as per your budget and requirement.

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