Purana Qila, Delhi: History, Architecture, Timings, and Entry Fee

Purana Qila, Delhi

The Purana Qila of Delhi, also known as the Purana Qila, is a unique tourist destination that combines history, tradition and old-world beauty. One of the oldest forts in Delhi, this Mughal-era structure stands testimony to the city’s turbulent past. Whether you are interested in history or not, this fort has a lot to fascinate you. Would you like to know more about the glorious past of India’s capital? When you step out of your Delhi hotels for sightseeing, be sure to stop by this old fort.

This blog will help you. To ensure that your visit to this fort is an enjoyable one, we have collected all the relevant information about it, including its history, architecture, opening and closing timings, cost of entry and lesser known facts.

Purana Qila Information:

Location	Mehrauli
Status	UNESCO World Heritage Site
Timings	7:00 am to 5:00 pm; every day
Entry Fee	₹ 30 for Indians; ₹ 500 for foreigners; free for children below 15 years
Still Camera	₹ 25 (non-commercial use)
Video Camera	₹ 25 (non-commercial use)
Nearest Metro Station	Qutab Minar
Year of Establishment	1192
Commissioned by	Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Dimensions	73 meters (height); 14.3 meters (base diameter); 2.7 meters (top diameter)
Architectural Style	Indo Islamic Afghan architecture
Material Used	Red

Purana Qila: History

The large gateways and the construction of this fort are generally attributed to Emperor Humayun in the early 16th century. Here too, he laid the foundation for his new capital, Din Panah. Sher Shah Suri named it Shergarh after he captured this building after his victory over Humayun in 1540. He made several structural upgrades to the fort complex during his five-year administration.

Over the years, several temporary communities have been established in the fort. Around 3000 Japanese used this fort as a camp during World War II. After the independence and partition of the country, the fort served as a haven for thousands of Delhi residents trying to enter Pakistan.

Purana Qila (Old Fort) Architecture

The walls of the massive Purana Qila can reach a height of eighteen metres. Their total length is 1.5 kilometers. The rectangular-shaped fort has three arched gateways: Talaki Darwaza (Forbidden Gate), Humayun Darwaza (Southern Gate), and Bada Darwaza (Big Gate). One feature unites all three gates: they are two-story sandstone structures with two massive semi-circular towers. Rajasthani style can be seen in the elaborate decorations on the balconies (jharokhas) and pavilions (chhatris) of the entrances of the fort. Inside the fort is the Qila-e-Kunha Mosque, which has five doors and an Indo-Islamic architectural style.

Purana Qila: Today

A large part of the former grandeur of the Purana Qila has been destroyed. Many of the interior structures of the fort have been destroyed over time, the elements, and human activities, even though the exterior still remains stately. Only a small percentage of the internal structures survive. However, this has not affected the popularity of the fort. This fort is still one of the most visited tourist places in Delhi. Another big attraction for tourists is the evening light and sound display held here.

Things to See in the Purana Qila Complex

Purana Qila The fort complex has several notable places of interest. Among them are:

Sher Shah Suri Sher Mandal built the single-domed Qila-e-Kuna Mosque, an octagonal two-story tower that housed Humayun’s private observatory and library.
Museum Purana Qila
There are three magnificent gateways: Shershah Suri Gate, also known as Lal Darpwaja, the southern gateway to Shergarh; Kairul Manzil, a mosque built by Akbar’s foster mother (outer monument, about 550 m)

Purana Qila Light and Sound Show

The Purana Qila comes alive every evening with amazing light and sound performances. This show, considered one of the best light and sound displays in India, is a visual extravaganza that teaches you a little about the past, present, and future of Delhi, including the Mughal period and other events. The show’s name, Ishq-e-Dilli, literally translates to “Romancing Delhi.”.

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Timings:
  Hindi: 7:30 pm to 8.30 pm
  English: 9.00 pm to 10.00 pm
  No shows on Fridays
• Tickets: ₹ 100 for adults; ₹ 50 for students, senior citizens, differently abled people, and children (3 to 12 years)

Purana Qila Museum

One of the primary attractions of the complex is the Purana Fort Museum, located next to the main entrance of the fort. Prehistoric tools from the Maurya, Gupta, Shunga, Kushan, and Sultanate periods, as well as some other items found during archaeological excavations, are among the main exhibits of the museum. One of the most important museums in Delhi, it displays artefacts from the First War of Independence as well as many ancient manuscripts, textiles, ceramics, and other objects.

• Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; closed on Fridays and public holidays
• Entry Fee: Free

Lesser-known facts about Old Fort

It was in Sher Mandal, the library of the fort, that Humayun fell down the stairs and died.
Humayun’s body was first buried inside the Purana Qila before being transferred to Kalanaur in Punjab and eventually buried in the majestic Humayun’s Tomb.
In the 1970s, three plays by the National School of Drama were performed, and the fort walls served as the backdrop.
According to recent discoveries, the Pandava kingdom of Indraprastha once existed in the same place where the fort now stands.

Attractions near Purana Qila

• National Zoological Park (550 km)
• India Gate (2.1 km)
• Humayun’s Tomb (2.9 km)
• Nizamuddin’s Tomb (2.9 km)
• Mirza Ghalib’s tomb (2.7 km)
• Parliament House (4.4 km)
• Rashtrapati Bhavan (4.6 km)
• Jantar Mantar (5 km)

A living example of the city’s rich history, the Purana Qila in Delhi offers you a window into the past. How about seeing the historical beauty of this magnificent old fort?