My World: Firoz Shah Kotla Fort, Delhi

Delhi, the capital of Independent India, also has a great history as capital of several empires. The first instance of the region being capitalized was during Mahabharata, when Pandava brothers built Indraprastha and ruled the country from here. Though there is no much evidence about Indraprastha, the extensive coverage of Delhi's history begins with Delhi Sultanate. The modern city contains the remnants of 7 capital cities,

Qila Rai Pithore - dating 10th century, established by Prithviraj Chauhan, ruins visible around Qutub complex
Mehrauli - dating 11-12th century, established by Qutubuddin Aibak, present day Qutub complex
Siri - dating 14th century, established by rulers of Khilji dynasty, present day Hauz Khas is remanence of Siri
Tughlaqabad - dating 14th century, established by Ghiasuddin Tughlaq
Firozabad - dating 14th century, established by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, present day Firoz Shah Kotla
Shergarh - dating 16th century, established by Sher Shah and completed by Humayun after gaining back power from Sher Shah, present day Purana Qila
Shahjahanabad - dating 17th century, established by Shahjahan, present day old Delhi, Lal Qila, Chandni Chowk

(Detailed history of the cities along with their present day monuments in following posts).

Of the Seven cities of Delhi, Firoz Shah Kotla also called Kushk-I-Firuz was the Fortress of Firoz Shah Tughlaq(1351-88). Built along the bank of river Yamuna, Firoz Shah established the fortified city of Firozabad, the fifth city of Delhi, as the capital of Delhi Sultabhjjnate.

The Main Gate

The Fort had a Palace, pillared halls, mosque, a pigeon tower and a water tank. The complex has a Pyramidal structure supporting the Ashoka Pillar or the Lat. Attributed to Mauryan ruler Ashoka, this sandstone column was brought from Ambala by Firoz Shah. It stands on a three-tiered arcaded palace pavilion located near main royal residence.

Ashoka Pillar on three tier arcad

Pigeons in the complex, not sure if this is the pigeon tower

Firoz Shah was a renowned builder, who was credited for the construction of several mosques, hunting lodges, reservoirs for irrigation, collages in and around Delhi.

The Baoli or well or water tank in the Fort complex is said to be the essential source of water to the fortress. The circular well, open to the sky, had pulleys to lift water. A complex system of pipes and channels pumped water to the roof of two storeys rooms around the well. From there it used to be used for watering the gardens.

Baoli

Most of the building material from Firoz Shah's city was robbed to build Shahjahanabad(1638-48). And its the ruins of the whole city which remains today.