Siri was the second city of Delhi, out of seven, and was built by Sultan Alaud-Din Khilji in about 1303. Though most of the fort has been destroyed, the few remains of the city can be seen in the Siri Fort complex near the Asian Games Village in South Delhi. Massive stone-built boundary walls and flame-shaped battlements are all that are left of the strong fortress city today which compelled ferocious fighters like the Mongols to accept defeat.

In fact there is a very macabre reason as to why the Siri fort is called so. ‘Sir’ means ‘head’ in Hindi and the city derives its name from the fact that the heads of about 8000 Mongol soldiers were buried in the walls of the city.

The city was a picture of opulence with palaces and other structures and had seven gates for the people to enter or exit, thought its just the Southeastern gate that stands today. The complex also has some dilapidated structures belonging to the Khilji period in the Shahpur Jatvillage, most popular among them being the ruins of Tohfewala Gumbad Masjid. The domed central apartment and the sloping wall of the mosque are the structures left for visitors to admire the architectural style of the Khiljis.

One could also visit the nearby Ansal Plaza shopping complex for some retail therapy and good food including the likes of McDonald's, Nirula's, Barista, etc.

Address – Near the Asian Village complex, east of Hauz Khas. It can be accessed by either taking the Khel Gaon Marg or Joseph BrozTito Marg

How to Reach – The best way to get here is to take a bus (going towards Ansal Plaza) or a taxi since there is no Metro station nearby.

Timings – Sunrise to Sunset