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Dit-on,
built on the site of Indraprastha, mentioned
in Mahabharata - the great Indian epic,
Old Fort was the seat of the hotel for many
emperors. Now in ruins, the citadel was
the glory of being the seat of the legendary
ruler, Prithviraj Chauhan. Sher Shah Suri
built after demolishing the Humayun 's city
Dinpanah. There are bastions angle west
wall of the fort. The 2 km long ramparts
of Purana Quila boast three double-decker
major portals sports 'chhatris 'at the top.
They can be found in the north, south and
west.
The northeast is a known
'talaqi-Darwaza '(which is prohibited Gate)
and a sculpture of marble lions engaged
in combat with a man in his face. You can
still see the vestiges of color tiles that
serve as its ornament outside. However,
it is said that Sher Shah was unable to
complete the construction of Old Fort and
he finished by Humayun. Thus, the southern
gate of the fort is known as Humayun Darwaza.
There is a wide gap in the north and west
sides of the fortress and a dam fortress
connected with the major countries.
The excavations in the
Old Fort area have revealed parts painted
Greyware dated around 1000 BC, said to be
linked Mahabharata. Relics and remains of
period later found here confirm the belief
that Purana Quila was built on the site
of Indraprastha, the capital of Pandavas.
These objects range from Mauryan early Mughal
period, as North polished black ware, punch-marked
coins, human and animal terracotta figurines
and inscribed clay seals. Sher Shah built
a mosque in 1541, with traits Lodhi to the
Mughal style architecture.
Sher-Mandal, a double-storey,
octagonal tower of red sandstone and marble,
topped by an octagonal chhatri and decorated
with glazed tiles and painted plaster was
also built by him. The latter was said to
be used as a library by Humayun. That is
where Humayun fell and died. In addition,
it is a sound and light show at Old Fort,
introducing the 5000-year history of Delhi.
Other attractions near the Old Fort is a
lake with paddle-installation and boating
The zoo beside it
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