Delhi Flash - Events, Fashion and Health

When Firozshah Tughlaq built his new Fort and city in 1354, the population it protected was around 150000. Small wonder then that in choosing the location the Sultan gave priority to access to the Yamuna River over the defensive hills of the south. It is hard to visualise the Yamuna lapping at the fort walls, where the Ring Road rushes at the fort walls, where the Ring Road rushes in full spate today.

This fortress houses three main structures in a cluster. A round Baoli, that still holds green water; the Jami Masjid in complete ruin, such that you can only just make out its form and and proportion, and a unique pyramidal, three-terraced structure at top which Firoz Shah placed an Ashokan Pillar he brought back to his capital from a campaign near Ambala.

Climb this structure to inspect the still visible polish that is common to Ashokan Pillars, and which so impressed Firoz Shah that he had it wrapped in silk cotton and placed on a specially made bed encased in reeds and raw skins for its transport to delhi.

Location : Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg

Entry Fees : Indian Rs.5, Foreigners US$2 or Rs.100, children below 15 free

Cameras : Still free, Videos Rs.25

Timings : Sunrise to Sunset