Khuni Darwaza (Also Known As: Lal-Darwaza or Kabuli Darwaza): Right on the Mathura road near Maulana Azad Medical College stands a double- storeyed imposing gate, built largely with grey stone, red stone having been used in the frames of its windows. It is believed to be one of the gates of Sher Shah’s city of Delhi, although no remains of a city-wall have been traced in continuation with it. Another surviving gate of the city has been described earlier. It is also known as Lal-Darwaza and has derived the name ‘Khuni-Darwaza’ (bloody gate), from the tradition that two of Bahadur Shah’s sons were hanged here.
Related Travel Information
Alai Darwaza: The Alai Darwaza is a perfect specimen of architecture belonging to the period of the Delhi Sultanate. It was built in 1311, by Ala-ud-din-Khilji, of the Khilji dynasty (which ruled the Delhi Sultanate from AD 1290 to AD 1316). The Alai Darwaza was a part of Ala-ud-din-Khilji's extension of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque. It was one of the four grand gateways; the other three could not be completed because of the death of Ala-ud-din in AD 1316.
The main structure of the Alai Darwaza consists of a single hall 34½ feet on the inside and 56½ feet on the
Fatehpur Sikri: Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1571 in honour of the Sufi saint, Sheikh Salim Chisti. It was the Mughal capital for 14 years after which it was abandoned, probably due to the lack of water. The capital is amazingly beautiful with its palaces and it reflects the architectural style Akbar patronized. Even to this day, the entrance to the fort is through the road that Akbar built. The road leads to the Buland Darwaza, a huge 54 metres gateway. It later inspired other lofty gates. Today young daredevils jump from its ruins into
Purana Quila: In 1538, the Mughal emperor Humayun laid the foundations of his city named Dinpanah, or the Refuge of the Faithful. The inner citadel of this city is today called Purana Qila or the Old Fort. Old Fort Said to be built on the site of Indraprastha, the capital of Pandavas mentioned in Mahabharata, the great Indian epic, Old Fort or Purana Qila has been the seat for administration for many emperors. Now in ruins, this citadel has had the glory of being the seat of legendary ruler Prithviraj Chauhan. Sher Shah Suri built it after he demolished the
Quwwat-Ul-Islam-Masjid: It is known as the Quwwat Ul Islam (Might of Islam), this is the earliest extant mosque in the country, constructed originally in 1197 AD during the period of Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak. It was built from the remains of twenty-seven Hindu and Jain temples.
The Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid can be a bewildering experience for those unfamiliar with its history. On one hand there is the beautiful, curvaceous Islamic calligraphy, the arabesque designs and then there are pillars with clearly pre-Islamic Hindu motifs. The reason is of course quite simple; the pillars were taken from the 27 temples of Qila Rai Pithora, the