Today I went for the India Habitat Centre Walk to Purana Quila with BBC journalist Sunil Raman. It was an amazing experience.
We were to reach the entrance gate by 8:15am and the walk started at 8:30am. They were around 40 people in total, including children. To my suprise I saw families attending to this walk.
We entered from the Bara Darwaza, main gate on the west made of red sandstone and then Sunil Raman introduced the place to us. The best thing about Sunil was that he took us around the place and explained the importance of each very well.
Let me give you a brief introduction on Purana Quila. The second Mughal emperor Humayan decided to make a city, Dinpanah (Asylum of Faith). For that he choose this site of ancient city of Indraprastha. It is believed to be the place where Indraprastha, the Pandava capital mentioned in the epic Mahabharata, once stood. Humayun was not able to rule from the fort for long and was defeated by the Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri. Sher Shah named the place as Shergarh. It was Sher Shah who added many buildings and some of them still stand. After Sher Shah died, Humayun came back to power. Later Humayun died while coming down from the library for his Namaz (prayers). The library is known as the Sher Mahal and was constructed by Sher Shah.
Purana Quila is noted for its massive walls, three large gates and two monuments inside. This was constructed by the Mughal emperor – Humayun, with later-day modifications by Sher Shah Suri. The Purana Quila is evidence to the glory of the Mughal art. Names of the three gates are:-
On the West – Bara Darwaza
On the North – Talaqi Darwaza
On the South – Humayun Darwaza
Let me give you a brief introduction on Purana Quila. The second Mughal emperor Humayan decided to make a city, Dinpanah (Asylum of Faith). For that he choose this site of ancient city of Indraprastha. It is believed to be the place where Indraprastha, the Pandava capital mentioned in the epic Mahabharata, once stood. Humayun was not able to rule from the fort for long and was defeated by the Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri. Sher Shah named the place as Shergarh. It was Sher Shah who added many buildings and some of them still stand. After Sher Shah died, Humayun came back to power. Later Humayun died while coming down from the library for his Namaz (prayers). The library is known as the Sher Mahal and was constructed by Sher Shah.
Purana Quila is noted for its massive walls, three large gates and two monuments inside. This was constructed by the Mughal emperor – Humayun, with later-day modifications by Sher Shah Suri. The Purana Quila is evidence to the glory of the Mughal art. Names of the three gates are:-
On the West – Bara Darwaza
On the North – Talaqi Darwaza
On the South – Humayun Darwaza
Two important monuments inside the fort are:-
Sher Mandal (Library)
Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque
Sunil made us walk to the north of the quila and that has Talaqui Darwaza, the forbidden gateway. This Darwaza combines the typically Islamic pointed arch with Hindu chhattris. 
Then we walked towards the mosque, Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid. This appeared as one of the finest examples of architectural style. It was built by Sher Shah in 1541. The wall was made of red sandstone, white & black marble that gave it a distinctive look.
Then we moved to the Sher Mandal. It was a two storeyed octagonal building, used by Humayun as his library. It was made of red sandstone and marble. The significance of this place is that one day Humayun heard the prayer call, he tripped on the stairs & died of injuries. Entry to Sher Mandal was not allowed. They have stopped the entry since last 2-3 years.We also went towards the south, crossing Hamman, the bathing place. 
The south gate is Humayun Darwaza. This was the gate from where Humayuns body was taken out. From this place you can have a good view of Humayun's tomb.
I really enjoyed the walk & the place too. Now I want to to explore more of Delhi and this walk has been a good start for me.
The south gate is Humayun Darwaza. This was the gate from where Humayuns body was taken out. From this place you can have a good view of Humayun's tomb.I really enjoyed the walk & the place too. Now I want to to explore more of Delhi and this walk has been a good start for me.
God Bless!!
Bbhawanaa
8th Feb 2009
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