Tughlakabad Fort

Gazing upon the imposing Tughlakabad Fort, one can almost hear the echoes of its tumultuous past. Tughlakabad Fort stands as a stark reminder of a ruler’s ambition and a saint’s curse. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, founder of the Tughlaq dynasty, built this colossal fort in 1321. He envisioned it as an impenetrable fortress, a symbol of his power. He decreed that all laborers in Delhi must work on his fort. This decree, however, angered the revered Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya. The saint’s own construction project, a baoli, was halted due to the labor shortage. A conflict ensued between the emperor and the saint. Legend says Nizamuddin Auliya cursed Tughlaqabad, predicting its ruin or occupation by nomads. Another curse followed, “Hunuz Dilli door ast” – Delhi is still far away. This chilling prophecy seemingly came true when Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, returning from a successful campaign in Bengal, died under a collapsing pavilion. His son, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, allegedly orchestrated the incident. Tughlaqabad Fort, despite its grand design, was abandoned in 1327, just a few years after its completion. The fort’s massive stone walls, some 10 to 15 meters high, still stand today. These walls, a signature of Tughluq dynasty architecture, are topped by battlemented parapets. Originally, the fort had 52 gates, of which only 13 remain. Within the fort’s walls are seven rainwater tanks, evidence of the city’s once-thriving life. The fort is divided into three sections: the main city area, the citadel with its Bijai-Mandal tower, and the palace area. Connected to the fort by a causeway is the Mausoleum of Ghiyas ud-Din Tughluq. Inside, three graves lie: Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, his wife, and his son Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Tughlaqabad Fort remains a captivating ruin, a testament to a bygone era. A place where whispers of ambition, curses, and a city’s untimely demise linger in the air.