Purana Qila

• A fresh round of excavations at the site of Delhi’s Purana Qila or Old Fort has uncovered evidence of the continuous history of the city since the pre-Mauryan era.
• Findings include
  • shards of Painted Gray Ware pottery which are usually dated to around 1200 BC to 600 BC.
  • remains of a 900-year-old Vaikuntha Vishnu from the Rajput period,
  • a terracotta plaque of Goddess Gaja Lakshmi from the Gupta period,
  • the structural remains of a 2,500-year-old terracotta ring well from the Mauryan period, and
  • a well-defined four-room complex from the Sunga-Kushan period dating back to 2,300 years ago, besides beads, seals, copper coins and a bone needle.
• The excavations have revealed nine cultural levels, representing different historical periods, including pre-Mauryan, Mauryan, Sunga, Kushana, Gupta, post-Gupta, Rajput, Sultanate, and Mughal.

About Purana Qila

• It is one of the oldest forts in Delhi and built on the banks of river Yamuna.
• It is believed by many to be the site of Indraprastha, as mentioned in the Mahabharat.
• The present citadel at Purana Qila started its construction in the reign of Humayun and was completed by Sher Shah Suri.
• The Qila was inspired by Jama Masjid, which was established 15 years before the reconstruction of Qila.
• It is rectangular in shape and is spread over an area of 1.5 kilometers.
• Another amazing feature of the Purana Qila are the three gates that are a display of a happy blend of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture.
  • Bara Darwaza,
  • Humayun Gate, and
  • the Talaqqi Gate, which is often referred to as the forbidden gate.
  • All of the gates are double-storeyed and comprise of huge semi-circular bastions flanking either of their sides.
• Purana Qila Complex also includes
  • Qila-e-Kuhna mosque– built by Sher Shah, it reflects a transitional stage between architecture of Lodhis and Mughals.
  • Sher Mandal– Built by Sher Shah, an octagonal structure built in red sandstone and decorated with white and black marble inlay.
    • Humayun made it into a library and died after falling from the steps of this structure.