Purana Qila Monument

Address: Purana Qila, Mathura Road, New Delhi 110003, India

Hours: Daily 7am-5pm

Purana Qila, literally the Old Fort, is a fortified complex in central Delhi whose extant structures largely date from the 16th century and include constructions attributed to Sher Shah Suri and later Mughal modifications.

Within the fort are notable survivals such as the Qila-e-Kuhna Mosque, a single-domed stone mosque from the Sher Shah Suri period, along with substantial ramparts, gateways and excavated archaeological remains that reflect the site’s long occupation.

The site has been associated in tradition with the ancient city of Indraprastha, and its visible structures reflect the military and administrative architecture of northern India in the early modern period. Excavations and preservation work have taken place in and around the fort precinct.

Purana Qila sits on the banks of the Yamuna in the heart of Delhi, next to the National Zoological Park and not far from other heritage sites and the city’s central thoroughfares.

• Central Delhi location: Located adjacent to the National Zoological Park and close to the River Yamuna, the site is accessible from central Delhi and is open to visitors as a historic park and archaeological complex.

What to See#

• Qila-e-Kuhna Mosque: A 16th-century mosque built by Sher Shah Suri within the fort, noted for its single-domed prayer hall and ornate stonework; it remains one of the most important surviving structures inside the complex.
• Ramparts and gateways: The fort’s defensive ramparts, bastions and gateways date primarily to the 16th century and enclose a raised citadel area that has been excavated by archaeologists and is associated with the medieval city of Delhi.

Purana Qila sits on Mathura Road (part of the old NH‑2) next to Pragati Maidan in central Delhi. Take the Delhi Metro Blue Line to Pragati Maidan station and walk about 10-15 minutes (roughly 800-900 m) south along Mathura Road to the main gate. By car it is in the Delhi city centre - roughly 4-6 km from New Delhi Railway Station and about 18 km from Indira Gandhi International Airport via the Ring Road/Mathura Road corridor.

• Visit early weekday mornings (shortly after opening) to enjoy the fort and its lake before weekend picnickers and Delhi tour buses arrive; morning light is best for photos of the ramparts.
• Use the main Mathura Road entrance (the south side) for the shortest walk to the central citadel and the on-site Archaeological Museum - many visitors enter from farther off and miss the museum.
• People often skip the lakeside walk and boat area along the fort - allow time to circle the lake to see different angles of the walls and the small gardened terraces that aren't obvious from the citadel.