Inside the Walls of Purana Qila

Standing quietly in the heart of Delhi, Purana Qila has witnessed centuries of power, ambition, and rivalry. Some traditions connect this landscape to the ancient city of Indraprastha, while in the 16th century it became the stage for a dramatic struggle between the Mughal emperor Humayun and the Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri.

Today the fort appears calm, but its walls hold stories of imperial dreams, sudden reversals of fortune, and one of the most unusual royal deaths in Delhi’s history.

On this walk, we explore:

• Sher Mandal, where Humayun is believed to have fallen to his death
• The elegant Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque built during Sher Shah’s rule
• The imposing fort gates and the stepwell within the complex
• The intense power struggle between Humayun and Sher Shah that shaped the site’s history