Down history’s corridor

Thus goes an inscription on a mosque inside the Purana Qila. How do children relate to history when they visit the Old Fort that has been a silent witness to the history of India? Over to them…

Mithu Ghosh Paul
Senior Teacher
India is a land rich in culture and heritage and our very own Delhi depicts this rich heritage in abundance. On January 21,a cold winter morning amid thick fog,we set out with 82 students of Class VII on a heritage-cum-nature walk within the confined walls of The Old Fort. Many of us pass by this looming structure almost every day on our way to work,as it is situated in the heart of the city. It has been there since ages,a constant reminder of our rich heritage,of Sher Shah Suri and Humayun.

The first pleasant surprise that awaited me as I stepped into the periphery of the fort was the cleanliness and greenery of the place. It was lush green and spotlessly clean. The fog and the mist seemed to have added to the aura of the monument. It was a two-hour walk,our first stop being Qila-i-Kuhna — the mosque where Humayun prayed. We then proceeded to the Sher Mandal,the library from the steps of which Humayun fell to his death.

Our next stop was the legendary Indraprastha,the place from where the Pandavas were said to have ruled ancient India. We next walked to the step-well or the ‘Baoli’ as it is called. It is said to be the bathing place of the women of that time. Our last stop was the museum where we saw interesting finds and remains of that era.

Mahima Batheja
At nine in the morning,we went to the Old Fort from school. The guide told us that it was built by Sher Shah Suri in 1541 and parts of the fort,mainly the southern gate was built by Emperor Humayun. There are three gates — the western,southern and northern gate. The monument is made up of Delhi quartzite stone,white and black marble. We saw the Qila-i-Kuhna mosque,having the beautifully carved western wall with verses of the Quran inscribed on it. We also saw the excavation site,the Pandavas’ city Indraprastha’s remains,Sher Mandal — Humayun’s library,the Baoli,the Vasu pond where the Muslims wash their hands and feet before offering prayers and the museum — it consists of sculptures,coins,toys,jewellery and crockery used in different periods of our past.

It was a learning experience.

Siddheshwar Singh Negi
The Old Fort was built by Sher Shah Suri. Legend has it that this site was the site of Indraprastha,the capital of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata. It is made up of red sandstone. The fort has three gates — Humayun Darwaza,Talaqi Darwaza and Bara Darwaza. Through Bara Darwaza people enter the fort these days. Inside the fort is the Kuhna Masjid. It is considered a masterpiece of architecture. It is made up of marble and red sandstone. The walls of the fort are 18 metres high at some places. At the foot of the fort is a lake where the Delhi Tourism has arrangements for boating and a sound-and-light show. Though Sher Shah Suri started building the city,it was Mughal Emperor Humayun who completed it. In spite of being more than 500 years old,the fort still retains its majesty.

Divyansha Kaushik
January 21 was a very interesting day for all of us. We were taken back to the history of the Mughal Era. We visited the Purana Qila. The Purana Qila was started by Sher Shah Suri and completed by Humayun. The damaged walls of the fort still described the beauty of that time. ‘Qila-i-kuhna’,one of the most beautiful mosques in Delhi is also a part of this fort.

‘Sher Mandal’ was built as a viewing tower but later on built as a library by Humayun. We saw geometrical patterns,flora and verses from the Quran. From this trip we came to know that the actual viewing of the historical buildings make history more interesting.

Shruti Verma
Sher Shah Suri built the Old Fort in 1541. He ruled only for five years. He also built the Grand Trunk Road. He was a great ruler and a great builder. He died in 1545. When Humayun came to rule,he completed this fort. The fort is decorated with red sandstone,black and white marble. This Fort has many windows so that during that time the guards could shoot the approaching enemy. Purana Qila is also known as Pandavan ka Qila. It stands on a mound,which may possibly mark the site of the town of Indraprastha,from the Mahabharata. There is a mosque,Sher Mandal and Baoli. The Sher Shah mosque is called “The Mosque of the Old Fort” or “Qila-i-Kuhna” .It was used by Sher Shah and Humayun. The Sher Mandal was built to sit and enjoy the view but when Humayun came to rule he used it as a library. Legend says that once Humayun was climbing down the stairs when he heard the call for prayers. While he was going down,he slipped from the stairs,injured himself very badly and died. The stairs were very narrow and steep. The Baoli was used for bathing and cooking. I loved the trip.

Nupur Dubey
Our school took us for a wonderful heritage walk to the Old Fort. We got to know many things there. The fort is also called ‘Pandava ka Qila’. It was started by Sher Shah Suri in 1541 and was completed by Humayun. The gate of the fort is built in red sandstone and most of the buildings inside are made of white and black marble. It was made on a raised platform so that the guards could see the approaching enemy and take action.

There are three gates in the fort — north,south and west. There is a mosque named ‘Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid’ which is one of the most beautiful mosques of Delhi. There was a Sher Mandal — a library. The Indraprastha of the Mahabharat was also there where excavations were found. There was a very old step well — Baoli. There was a museum where all the excavated objects were kept.

Hema Chakraborty
I have always liked history,but my trip to the Old Fort has increased my interest in this subject. This magnificent monument was started by Sher Shah Suri but finished by Humayun. It has three huge gateways and a wall which fortifies the fort.

The monument is made of red sandstone and marble. It also has one of the best mosques in Delhi named Qila-i-Kuhna that has beautiful floral motives,geometrical patterns and verses from the Quran intricately carved on it. A library called Sher Mandal and a Baoli are some of the structural remains that are built beautifully. Interestingly,Sher Mandal was first a watchtower but later,Humayun converted it into a library. Excavated remains of Indraprastha have also been found here. This trip will remain unforgettable.

Madhurima Kashyap
Built in the 16th Century with red sandstone,the Old Fort blends the architecture of the Mughals,Hindus and Afghans. It has three gates: the Northern Gate known as “Talaqi” is the Forbidden Gate; the Southern Gate is the “Humayun” Gate; the Western Gate also known as “Bara Darwaza” and is used as the entrance gate.

The Fort has the Qila-i-Kuhna Masjid and was one most important Masjids of Delhi. The “Vazu” pond is in front of the Masjid. The western wall of the Masjid has been carved in a special manner as it faces Mecca with verses from the Quran with geometric patterns and floral designs for decoration as Muslims avoid human and animal sculptures.

South of the Masjid is “Sher Mandal” used as viewing point by Sher Shah Suri and as a library by Humayun who died by falling from its stairs.

The fort has a museum having objects from Mauryas,Sunga,Sakas,Kushans,Guptas,Rajputs Sultanates and Mughal Era.

Richa Verma
Purana Qila was built by Sher Shah Suri. He was born in 1486 and died in 1540. Purana Qila was built in 1541. In Purana Qila there were three gates. The first gate was called the Western Gate.

The second gate was called the Northern Gate and the third gate was called the Southern Gate. Red sandstone was used to build the Purana Qila and white marble was used to decorate it. On the windows guards used to sit with their guns. Humayun made the Sher Mandal into a library.