Ferozshah Kotla
FACTS & FIGURES
| Built in | : | 14th century AD |
| Built by | : | Ferozshah Tughlaq |
| Location | : | Delhi |
CITY OF FEROZSHAH TUGHLAQ
Ferozshah Kotla was the capital of the Tughlaq dynasty, which ruled Delhi Sultanate from AD 1321 to 1414. Built by Ferozshah Tughlaq, the citadel within the walled periphery of the fort had a number of important buildings, though not many remain now. However, the skeletal remnant of this fortified citadel is reflective of the architectural prowess of Sultan Ferozshah Tughlaq.
MILITARY ARCHITECTURE
Ferozshah Kotla is a small, fortified area. The fort lacks the heavy defensive construction seen in the erstwhile fort at Tughlaqabad. It served the dual purpose of a defensive structure as well as the capital city of Ferozshah Tughlaq, the last important ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty. However, as the fort lacked heavy battlements, Tamurlane easily overran it in AD 1398, and laid it to waste.
FEROZSHAH KOTLA
The period of the Delhi Sultanate (1191–1526) was witness to a number of dynasties: the Slave dynasty, the Khiljis, the Tughlaqs, the Sayyids, and the Lodhis. Delhi saw the building of a number of important monuments and forts under their rule. The Tughlaq rulers (AD 1321–1414) were great patron of architecture. Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq (the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty) built the great fort city of Tughlaqabad and his tomb adjacent to Tughlaqabad. His son, Muhammad-bin Tughlaq, built a small fort adjoining Tughlaqabad, known as Adilabad. He also built the fourth city of Delhi called Jahanpanah, of which little survives.
Ferozshah, a cousin of Muhammad-bin Tughlaq, ascended the throne of the Delhi Sultanate in AD 1351. He was a pious, kindhearted ruler and a great builder. He constructed a number of works of public utility that included roads, schools, canals, etc. Apart from extending the Tughlaq Empire, Ferozshah built the fifth fortified city called Firozabad or Ferozshah Kotla. The capital city of the Tughlaqs was located in the northeastern part of present-day Delhi along the western bank of River Yamuna. The decision to establish the new capital on the banks of the Yamuna was taken to solve the problem of water scarcity faced by the earlier Tughlaq capital at Tughlaqabad, which was located on the rocky terrain in the southeastern part of present day Delhi.
Kotla was, in fact, the inner citadel of Firozabad, built like the present-day Windsor castle. Within the precincts of the Kotla walls were a number of palaces and a great mosque. The citadel was the nerve center of the Tughlaq rule. However, not much remains of the architectural wonders within the Kotla, as the buildings were destroyed by Tamurlane in the closing years of the 14th century AD and left it in ruins. The later rulers of Delhi carted of from the Acropolis of the Kotla with whatever building material they could lay their hands on, exposing to view the subterranean passages and covered cloisters, which once formed parts of great buildings and palaces. Most of the buildings within the citadel have been reduced to dilapidated shells of their former self but one can still see the pyramidal structure of the Kotla, topped by the Ashokan Pillar (dating back to third century BC) brought from Ambala and ruins of the mosque and a three-tiered baoli (step well).
HOW TO REACH
Delhi is well connected by air, rail, and road with important centers of India. Travelers can reach the fortified Ferozshah Kotla in many ways. The fort is located on the western banks of River Yamuna. Travelers can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this monument, which is located in the northeastern part of the city or they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis for the purpose. One can take buses from important bus stations like the Interstate Bus Terminal at Kashmere Gate to reach this monument.