The fort is also significant because it was here that Feroz Shah Tughluq met his death at the hands of a rival king, Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji, in1388 AD.
The fort is located in the Old Delhi district of Delhi, India. It is a large and well-preserved fort, with a rectangular layout and a number of well-preserved towers. The fort is also notable for its extensive gardens, which are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Feroz Shah Kotla Fort Delhi History
Feroz Shah Tughlaq was a powerful and ambitious ruler who sought to make his mark on the world. In 1354, he established the fortified city of Firozabad and included in it the site of the present Feroz Shah Kotla. The Kotla was a massive fortress or citadel, and the pillar within it was an impressive Ashoka Column, dating back to the 3rd century BC. Tughlaq brought the column from Ambala in the 14th century, and it has since been a symbol of his power and legacy.
Feroz Shah Kotla Fort Delhi During 1900- 2000
In the pre-independence era, due to the lack of auditoriums in the capital, most classical music performances were staged here or at the Qutub complex. Later, Ebrahim Alkazi, then head of NSD, staged his landmark production of Dharamvir Bharati’s Andha Yug here. Its premiere in 1964 was attended by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Jami Masjid in Feroz Shah Kotla Fort Delhi
Jami Masjid is one of the most ancient and largest surviving mosques and monuments. People still use it. Architecturally, it was built on a series of underground cells made of quartzite stone, covered with limestone. It is surrounded by a large courtyard with cloisters and a Prayer Hall. The Prayer Hall, now in complete ruins, was once used by the Royal Ladies. The Masjid and its architecture is an example of Tughluq architecture.
The entrance of Jami Masjid lies on the northern side. It is connected by a causeway to the pyramidal structure of the Ashokan Pillar. This mosque was visited by Timur in 1398 AD to say his prayers. He was spellbound by its beauty and constructed a mosque in Samarkand in Mawarannahr imitating the design of this Masjid. This mosque is also known to be the place where Imad ul Mulk, a Mughal Prime Minister, got Emperor Alamgir II murdered in 1759 AD.
Baoli in Feroz Shah Kotla Fort Delhi
The Baoli is in a circular shape, which means ‘stepwell’, and lies towards the northwestern side of the Ashokan Pillar. It lies in the heart of a large garden constructed in the form of subterranean apartments and a large underground canal built on its eastern side through which the water runs into the well. This is the only circular Baoli in Delhi, and also one of the 4 Baolis, where the tank is not separated from the well.
The Baoli originally had an entry from both the east and west sides. But now only the west side of bais accessible. The roof collapsed long ago, exposing the tank at the second level. Due to security reasons, the Baoli is kept locked, but permission to visit can be obtained easily for research purposes. You have to take permission from the Delhi circle office of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Conclusion
If you are going to Delhi then don’t forget to take a visit to Firoz Shah Kotla Fort. It is one of the best places to visit in Delhi. This place is also one of the most picturesque destinations in Delhi.
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