History of the Feroz Shah Kotla Fort

• Feroz Shah Kotla Fort was built in 1354 by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq, when he was ruling the city from 1351 to 1384. The fort, built by the Mughal king, is also one of the oldest structures in Delhi.

• The Mughals built this fort when they decided to shift their capital from Tughlakabad to Firozabad because of a shortage of water in that region.

• Madrasas, palaces, beautiful gardens, and mosques were built inside the fort, which served as the symbol of reign for the third ruler of Tughlaqabad dynasty.

The Architecture of Feroz Shah Kotla Fort:

• Feroz Shah Kotla fort was also called Khusk-i-Feroz which means palace of Feroz. It was built in an irregular polygon shape Yamuna river is on the east of the fort.

• Malik Ghazi and Abdul Hakk designed the fort.

• Sultan Timur was impressed by the design of the fort. The fort was abandoned in 1490 after the defeat of Tughlaq dynasty

The complex of Feroz Shah Kotla Fort includes:

• Ashokan Pillar: The Ashokan pillar is placed to the north of the Jami Masjid. King Ashoka of Mauryan Empire built the pillar between 273 and 236 BC in Topra, Ambala. Feroz Shah Tughlaq brought the pillar from Ambala and established it into the fort.

• Baoli: The baoli is three-tiered and is connected to many pipelines. During the period of Tughlaqs, the river flowed below the ramparts.

• Jami Masjid: It is close to Ashokan Pillar and is one of the oldest mosque which is still in use today.