Sunday, April 28, 2013

One Thousand Years of 'Fort'itude


Not many capital cities in the world could boast of such a huge amount of green cover as Delhi. In fact more than 296 sq.km - over 20% of the city -  has forest or tree cover. There are several 'forests' right inside the city and one such is tucked neatly behind the poster boy of Delhi, the Qutb Minar



Unknown to the constant stream of tourists visiting the Qutb, as the crowning glory of Delhi lies  Lal Kot , the ruins of  a  fortress built around one thousand years ago. 


Believed to have been built by Tomara Anangapala  and further extended as Qila Rai Pithora by the Chauhana king Prithviraj III, the Lal Kot is believed to be the earliest of the proper settlements of Delhi.














Boys from nearby villages playing street cricket. The stumps could possibly be a few centuries old. 



Adam Khan's tomb (Bhool Bhulaiyan)  across the forests.  





Octagonal shaped structure built as a monument to Adam Khan, a general in Emperor Akbar's army. 





Adam khan's tomb. 


4 comments:

  1. Rare collection of photos, nice job. Good to see many 400+ year old structures surviving including 800+ year old Qutub Minar.

    The terrain looks very dry and dusty, and some of the trees are looking like those thorny desert trees, may be the impavt of diminishing water table!

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    1. Sabu, the thorny desert trees that you mentioned are 'vilayati kikar' or Mexican mesquite, planted by the British. Details can be found here -> http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/jAA8rxF4YtE99J60S5qkSM/Delhi--The-forest-city.html

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  2. Top clicks, Babukka... Thanks for sharing... *Note to self: Must visit place during next Dilli trip.*

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  3. Yet to visit Delhi. Pending in my Bucket List.

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