The Delhi High Court recently pulled up the Archaeological Survey of India for delays in surveying encroachments at the historic Tughlaqabad Fort.

About the Thughlaqabad Fort:

• Built in 1321 CE by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
• Located in New Delhi along the Aravalli Hills
• Considered the 3rd city of Delhi (after Lal Kot & Siri)

Purpose:

• Designed as a massive military fortress to defend against Mongol invasions
• Symbol of centralised imperial authority

Architectural Highlights:

• Sloping (battered) walls with rubble masonry → strength over ornamentation
• Three-part layout:
  1. Citadel
  2. Palace complex (with underground passages)
  3. Residential zones with tanks & baolis
• Tomb of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq connected via causeway

Why Was It Abandoned?

• Shift of capital by Muhammad bin Tughlaq to Daulatabad
• Construction of nearby Adilabad fort
• Popular legend of Nizamuddin Auliya’s curse:

“Ya rahe ujjar, ya base gujjar”