Situated 8kms east of the Qutub Minar, on the Mehrauli-Badarpur road, the Tughlakabad Fort is one of the most beautiful sites to visit in Delhi. Built by Ghiyas-uddin-Tughlak in the 1320s, the fort is considered to be the third city of Delhi. This was the capital of the Tughlak Dynasty till Mohammad-bin-Tughlak moved the city to southwards to Devgiri due to the scarcity of water.

The drive up to the fort on the Mehrauli-Badarpur road is simply enchanting, as you turn a corner and the Tughlakabad Fort slowly looms into view atop a hill. Vestiges of ancient beauty still cling to the walls of the fort and the sprawling greens inside its walls provide charming environs in which to lose oneself in history.

The fort spans about 6.5 kms, surrounded by 10-15 metre high ramparts, interspersed at regular intervals with gateways and fortresses. The fort was originally built not only as the capital of the dynasty but also as a defensive post. One enters the octagonal fort on the eastern side from the Mehrauli-Badarpur road into a rectangular citadel with high walls and bastions. On the western side are the palaces and living quarters and cover a wide area, once again secured by high ramparts.

Towards the south is a huge artificial lake or reservoir, linked by a causeway to Ghiyas-uddin Tughlak’s tomb. This is definitely worth seeing and stands testimony to the skilled craftsmanship of medieval India. The erstwhile city of Tughlakabad lies to the north.

While all this brings to mind the beauty and grandeur, the entire area today lies in ruins. The walls are crumbling and weeds ravage the grounds. The Archeological Survey of India had, some 10 years ago, begun some restoration work on the site but there still is a long way to go.

Nevertheless, the Tughlakabad Fort continues to remind one of the rich Indian heritage that still weaves its way into modern lives.