Tughlaqabad Palace Ruins

Ghiyasuddin Tughluq, the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty, dreamt of an impregnable fortress. He began building the Tughlaqabad Palace Ruins in 1321. He envisioned it as the grand heart of his new city, a bulwark against Mongol invaders. The Tughlaqabad Palace Ruins and the fort were massive. Its walls soared 10 to 15 meters high, lined with battlements and circular bastions. It was a half hexagon, boasting a base of 2.4 kilometers. The city within held seven rainwater tanks and was designed with an impressive 52 gates, of which 13 still stand today. The Tughlaqabad Palace Ruins complex included the wider city area, the citadel with its Bijai-Mandal tower, and the adjacent palace area. Sadly, much of this grandeur is now lost to dense vegetation, a testament to a turbulent past. Ghiyasuddin’s ambition led to a clash with the revered Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya. The Sultan demanded all laborers work on his fort, halting work on the saint’s baoli (step-well). This sparked a legendary feud. Auliya cursed Tughlaqabad, uttering the words, “Ya rahe ujjar ya base gujjar” (“May it remain desolate or occupied by herdsmen”). A chilling prophecy that seems to have come true. Another curse foretold the Sultan’s demise. “Hunuz Dilli door ast” (“Delhi is still far away”), declared Auliya, as Ghiyasuddin campaigned in Bengal. Upon his return, his son, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, allegedly orchestrated his death. A tent collapsed, crushing the Sultan, a tragic end within sight of his beloved Tughlaqabad. Connected to the Tughlaqabad Palace Ruins by a causeway is Ghiyasuddin’s mausoleum. This structure, made of smooth red sandstone and inlaid with marble, stands in stark contrast to the rough granite of the fort. It houses three graves, believed to be Ghiyasuddin, his wife, and his son, Muhammad. The Tughlaqabad Palace Ruins stand as a haunting reminder of a ruler’s dream, a saint’s curse, and the ephemeral nature of power.