Purana Qila
Excavations at the site reveal traces of habitation dating back to 1000 BC during the Painted Grey Ware period. B. B. Lal, then director of the Archaeological Survey of India, led the first two rounds of digs between 1954 and 1972. These efforts unearthed pottery and cultural layers that suggested continuous human presence from ancient times. Historian Alexander Cunningham once identified this location with the legendary city of Indraprastha. He believed the fort stood where the ancient Pandava kingdom had existed. Even into the early 20th century, locals called the complex Pandavon Ka Qila or Pandava's Fort. The entire area was known as Indraprastha village by many residents. Modern archaeologists note that matching material culture with bardic literature remains methodologically difficult. Despite these challenges, the physical evidence points to a deep historical root for the site.
The walls of Dinpanah rose under the orders of Mughal emperor Humayun in the 16th century. Abul Fazl recorded that Humayun built the fort on the site of ancient Indraprastha ruins. Muhammad Khwandamir claimed Humayun laid the foundation on a mound near the Yamuna river. Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun and took control of the unfinished project. He strengthened the existing fortifications and completed the outer walls. His own fort, named Shergarh, housed the governor of the region. Tarikh-i-Da'udi states that Sher Shah's royal city remained incomplete when he died. Abbas Sarwani also noted that two forts were unfinished at his death. Salim Shah Suri later constructed a wall defending Dinpanah according to Tarikh-i-Khan-Jahan. The extent of Sher Shah's contribution remains disputed among historians. Primary sources offer conflicting accounts about who finished what part of the structure.
On the 7th of October 1556 Hindu king Hem Chandra Vikramaditya was crowned inside Purana Qila. He had just defeated Akbar's forces at the Battle of Delhi earlier that year. This coronation marked a brief moment of power for the Sur Empire before Mughal retaliation. One month later the Mughals decisively defeated Hemu and his army at the second battle of Panipat. The victory shifted political control back to the Mughal dynasty permanently. The fort became a symbol of contested sovereignty during this turbulent period. Its strategic location made it a focal point for military campaigns in northern India. The events of late 1556 transformed the site from a royal citadel into a battlefield prize.
In August 1947 the fort served as a refuge camp for Muslims migrating to Pakistan. Over 12,000 government employees who chose service in Pakistan passed through the gates. Between 150,000 and 200,000 Muslim refugees swarmed inside by September 1947. The Indian government took over management of the camps after the initial influx. Trains bound for Pakistan did not begin running until October 1947. The Purana Qila camp remained functional until early 1948 while waiting for transport. Humayun's Tomb nearby also hosted a parallel refugee operation. The transformation from ancient fortress to humanitarian crisis zone marked a stark chapter in its history.
During the Asia-Pacific War between 1941 and 1945 over 2000 Japanese civilians were interned here. Around 554 women and 224 children made up part of this population. Plans to intern Japanese living in British India began as early as July 1940. Preparations to open camps started at least by February 1941. By December 1942 there were 2,115 Japanese internees in the camp outside Delhi. Most came from Singapore following the fall of that colony. They lived in tents offering little protection against winter cold or summer heat reaching 120 degrees. The Japanese government protested inadequate food and sanitation facilities. British officials dismissed these complaints claiming they could not cope with temperature extremes. Ration levels were deemed adequate according to Asiatic standards by Foreign Office records.
The Archaeological Survey of India conducted digs again from 1969 to 1973 under B. B. Lal. Further work occurred during 2013-14 and 2017-18 led by Vasant Kumar Swarnkar. Findings include Painted Grey Ware pottery dating to 1000 BC. Various objects signify continuous habitation from Mauryan through Mughal periods. Homes built during the Rajput era used bricks found in other structures plus mud bricks. A fortification wall about 30 metres long was uncovered during recent surveys. Structures from the Delhi Sultanate reused bricks over earlier ruins. Mughal era buildings featured deep pits dug over preceding eras. Three structural phases from the Mughal period emerged including rubble and lakhori brick constructions. All artifacts now reside in the Archaeological Museum at Purana Qila for public viewing.
The walls rise to a height of 18 metres and traverse about 1.5 kilometres around the site. Three arched gateways define access points: Bara Darwaza facing west, Humayun Gate to the south, and Talaqi Gate known as forbidden. Double-storeyed sandstone gates flank huge semi-circular bastion towers decorated with marble inlays. Blue tiles adorn the surfaces alongside ornate jharokhas or overhanging balconies. Pillared pavilions called chhatris top each gateway structure. The single-domed Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque stands as the best preserved building inside. Built by Sher Shah in 1541 it features five doorways with true horseshoe-shaped arches. Prayer hall dimensions measure 51.20m by 14.90m with five elegant mihrabs on the western wall. Red white and slate marble marks calligraphic inscriptions on the central iwan. A second storey accessed via staircases provided space for female courtiers to pray. Sher Mandal remains an octagonal tower of red sandstone intended as a private library. Humayun fell from its second floor on the 24th of January 1556 while climbing steep stairs.
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Common questions
When was the first excavation of Purana Qila conducted and who led it?
B. B. Lal, then director of the Archaeological Survey of India, led the first two rounds of digs between 1954 and 1972. These efforts unearthed pottery and cultural layers that suggested continuous human presence from ancient times.
Who built the walls of Dinpanah at Purana Qila in the 16th century?
The walls of Dinpanah rose under the orders of Mughal emperor Humayun in the 16th century. Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun and took control of the unfinished project to strengthen existing fortifications and complete the outer walls.
On what date was Hem Chandra Vikramaditya crowned inside Purana Qila?
On the 7th of October 1556 Hindu king Hem Chandra Vikramaditya was crowned inside Purana Qila. This coronation marked a brief moment of power for the Sur Empire before Mughal retaliation shifted political control back to the Mughal dynasty permanently.
How many Muslim refugees were housed in the Purana Qila camp during August 1947?
Between 150,000 and 200,000 Muslim refugees swarmed inside by September 1947. The Purana Qila camp remained functional until early 1948 while waiting for transport trains bound for Pakistan.
When did the internment of Japanese civilians begin at Purana Qila during the Asia-Pacific War?
Plans to intern Japanese living in British India began as early as July 1940 with preparations to open camps starting at least by February 1941. By December 1942 there were 2,115 Japanese internees in the camp outside Delhi.
What are the dimensions and key architectural features of the walls and buildings within Purana Qila?
The walls rise to a height of 18 metres and traverse about 1.5 kilometres around the site. Three arched gateways define access points including Bara Darwaza facing west and Humayun Gate to the south alongside the single-domed Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque built by Sher Shah in 1541.