Monuments of Jahanpanah never fails to amaze you, the site is full of wonder and mystery. The name Jahanpanah means ‘Refuge of the World’ & was used for the fourth fortified city of Delhi constructed by Mohammad bin Tughluq in the 14^th century. It is believed that his coming to throne was very dramatic and controversial after his father and founder of Tughluq dynasty, Ghiyasuddin Tughluq was killed by his own son. As per the plan, Mohd Tughluq linked the older cities, Lal Kot, the then Old Delhi and Siri of Alauddin Khalji, enclosed these cities and built his new city in the centre with his citadel, palace and a grand mosque at its heart. Today, one can see that the fortifications survive in a couple of places in south Delhi & the cluster of ruins in Sarvodaya Enclave is what is left of the citadel.  (more…)

The ruins of Jahanpanah are a curious lot. Not much survives of the famed capital city of Mohammad Tughluq. A cluster of buildings in south Delhi near Kalu Sarai, locally known as Vijay Mandal, are believed to be the remains of Jahanpanah. Our heritage walk in this complex explores the stories of this city of Delhi.  (more…)

There are many a legends about the city of Tughluqabad and the Sultans after whom it is named. As one approaches the fort, our first impressions are of colossal grandeur! The fort’s boundary walls carry on a great distance along Mehrauli Badarpur Road; they are about 4 miles in perimeter & its massive bastions looking formidable. Our heritage walk in Tughluqabad was almost a small trek with a dash of adventure. Many parts of Tughluqabad fort are completely ruined and covered with their own rubble & vegetation and our heritage walk explored the hidden features like the underground granaries, the palace area to the north and the royal escape route built into the fort wall!

The ruins of Tughluqabad are frozen in time. The city was abandoned shortly after it was built, after which there was no substantial settlement here, except a small one in the late Mughal period. Continue Reading This Post