Qila Rai Pithora is also known by the name of Lal Kot. It is including the Qutub Minar complex and is considered one of the complexes in New Delhi. This fort was made by the great emperor Prithvi raj 3 known as Prithviraj Chauhan or Rai Pithora. It is considered the seventh ancient city of Delhi.
This area is constructed within 20 acres of land which includes the huge statue of Prithvi raj and books related to him in the library. It has become one of the tourist attractions of India. As we know that there are various attractions found in New Delhi. It is also playing a very important role in the large epic named Mahabharata. This was an important place in Delhi in ancient times.
History of Qila Rai Pithora
Although Delhi had been a vibrant city for many centuries, the first city, dated to the 11th century, is recognised because there are historical facts that have been documented. Prithviraj Chauhan, popularly known as Rai Pithora, the well-known protagonist of the tales of Hindu struggle against Muslim invaders, established Qila Rai Pithora. Delhi was taken from the Tomar Rajputs, who are credited with building it, by Prithviraj’s forefathers. The first known systematic defence system was probably built in Delhi by Anangpal, a Tomer monarch, and was known as Lal Kot; Prithviraj took it over and expanded it for his capital Qila Rai Pithora. Around Qutab Minar, you can still see some of the fort ramparts’ remnants.
In Delhi, great temples were erected in the era of Tomar and Chauhan. Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and Qutub Minar were built on the location of a complex of twenty-seven Hindu temples. The Iron Pillar at Mehrauli, which stands in blatant defiance of rust and the effects of time, bears witness to the majesty and riches of the Rajput dynasty. However, it appears that the Iron Pillar was brought to its present site from Udayagiri in Central India, possibly by the Tomer emperor Anangpal-II, and that it was not always in the Qutub Complex. The current Saket, Mehrauli, Kishangarh, and Vasant Kunj areas still have remnants of Rai Pithora.
Association with Anangpal Tomar 2 – Lal Kot:
Anangpal Tomar 2 bought a pillar from the saunkh area and for evidence, something was inscribed on this pillar. It was believed that the Lal Kot fort was built in the area of anangpal. Many of the temples were made by taking this pillar as the center. The walls of this fort were constructed 60 feet high and 30 feet thick. At that time, anangpal played a very important role in populating Indraprastha which was a very important role during the great epic Mahabharata.
It was believed that the Tomar rulers have the coins and inscriptions which were used by Pandava. He then gave the name Indraprastha as Delhi. Lal Kot was also known by the name of red fort.
Association with Prithvi Raj Chauhan:
The Mughal court historian Abu’l-Fazl initially used the phrase “Qila Rai Pithora” in his Ain-i-Akbari in the 16th century, which is Persian for “fort of king Prithviraj.” The phrase refers to a fortified complex, including the Qutb Minar complex, where the early Delhi Sultanate rulers had their headquarters. The Persian-language histories Taj al-Masir and Tabaqat-i Nasiri, as well as the Sanskrit-language writings Prithviraja Vijaya and Kharatara-gachchha-pattavali, which are contemporaneous with or close to contemporaneous to Prithviraj, put him in Ajmer. He is depicted as a significant political figure in later books like Prithviraj Raso and Ain-i-Akbari because, at the time these texts were produced, Delhi had grown to be a significant political centre while Ajmer’s influence had decreased.
Architecture of Qila Rai Pithora
The world-famous Qutb Minar and the Quwwat ul Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be erected in Delhi, were both constructed by Qutb ud-din Aibak in the city of Qila Rai Pithora. Hindu sculptors from the area were used in the mosque’s construction, fusing Hindu and Islamic architectural styles. The first mediaeval fortified city in Delhi was called Qila Rai Pithora. It was built by Rajput monarch Prithviraj Chauhan in the 12th century, after the Chauhan Rajputs had seized control of Delhi from the Tomar Rajputs. It is also known as Rai Pithora’s Fort.
Delhi is said to have been created by the Tomars, whose king Anang Pal I built Lal Kot, the first organised defence construction, in the eighth century. Prithviraj Chauhan took control of Lal Kot and expanded his control to Qila Rai Pithora. From here, Delhi was governed by the Chauhans and the Slave Dynasty, and its ramparts may still be seen in portions of South Delhi, including Saket, Mehrauli near the Qutb complex, Kishangarh, and Vasant Kunj. A statue of Prithviraj Chauhan mounted on a horse is also there.
How to reach Qila Rai Pithora
It is close to the Qutub Golf Course and the Malviya Nagar Metro Station. Now, it serves as the “official” Qila Rai Pithora memorial. It has been constructed to resemble a park, replete with a library and a commanding monument of Prithviraj Chouhan, who is credited with building most of these fortifications but who was nevertheless the last of his line.
Nearest Metro Station
Malviya Nagar is the closest metro Station on yellow line to Qila Rai Pithora. You must exit the Malviya Nagar Station and cross the street to take the Press Enclave Road in order to go to this historical site. A park that serves as the entrance to this qila is seen as you continue down the Press Enclave Marg.
Timing
Every day of the week, the public is welcome to see this Qila. Visitors can discover this qila’s power at any time between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Entrance fee
The Qila Rai Pithora fort may be explored for free. You may travel anywhere and discover this area.
Conclusion
After viewing this fort, you may explore other places because the best parts of South Delhi are close by. After your tour to Qila Rai Pithora is over, you may explore places like the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Jamali Kamali Mosque, Jahaz Mahal, Garden of 5 Senses, Iron Pillar, Aludin Khilji Tomb, and Iltutmish Tomb.
