HYDERABAD: As one walks in the salubrious and verdant surroundings of south Delhi in areas like Saket, Vasantkunj and Mehrauli, one is struck by the existence of a crumbling fort wall from an ancient era as far back as the 12th century. Despite being over ridden and destroyed by successive invaders from Turkey, Persia
and Afghanistan, the existence of the Rai Pithora Fort even to this day is surprising, as it has stood the test of time. Not many people venture to visit this fort as it is neither on the tourist circuit nor as famous as the Red Fort or the Old Fort. In fact, it is a desolate place covered with trees and shrubs. It was
once a 13-gated structure and one can make an effort to see the ruins of this fort especially near the Qutub Minar. The remnants of many temples, reportedly 27 complexes that were built during the rule of the Tomars and the Chauhans, were also found in the Qutub Minar complex. Today, most parts of the
fort is covered by the forests of Sanjay Van (Mehrauli village) and the Aravalli ranges while the remaining structures are yet to be excavated. But at the Rai Pithora Park which is next to the Qutub Golf Course, one can clearly see the heavy fortification of the legendary city of Prithviraj Chauhan. Inside this complex, there is a huge statue as well as a library. If you are interested in a walking trail, it is the best place to visit and also enjoy the history of the ancient city of Delhi. The Chaumukh Darwaza, the entry point to the fort (which was rebuilt by the rulers of the Tughlak dynasty) is an unusual gateway with four openings.
Apart from this, there is even a crumbling watch tower demonstrating the prowess of the ancient rulers.
In fact, if you have to see the ruins of Rai Pithora, you have to search the Qutub Minar complex as most of them are hidden or dominated by structures of later dynasties. Earlier, as part of the Tomars, the first known rulers of Delhi, the Rai Pithora Fort was carved out of an existing fort like structure (Lal Kot) from the 8th century with its ramparts and rubble walls. It was Prithviraj Chauhan, the popular hero of Hindu resistance against Muslim invaders who refurbished and renovated it and extended the citadel by building massive ramparts to his new capital, stretching to six kilometres. In the 12th century, Delhi was added to the dominions of Prithviraj Chauhan.
But alas! He didn’t rule for long as an invader from Afghanistan, Muhammed Ghori defeated this valiant king in 1192. This was the beginning of the Islamic rule in Delhi which was followed by successive dynasties like the Mamluks, Tughlaqs, and Mughals. Delhi is one of the oldest cities in the world which has been built, destroyed and rebuilt since 800 years by foreign invaders who ransacked and looted the capital as far as reliable historical records goes.