16 Important Forts to Visit in Delhi and Around

Delhi has stood mute witness to the rise and fall of many kings and empires, big and small, from time immemorial. Many of these kings have left their footprints on time, through building various monuments and forts. The famed Indraprastha, of the Pandavas, is believed to have been located at the same site where the Old Fort of Delhi stands today.

There are many such heritage forts in Delhi which boggle the imagination of a visitor, with their opulence, splendor and workmanship. Here is our list of the most famous forts in Delhi.

Famous Forts in Delhi

1. Qila Rai Pithora

Oldest among the surviving forts in Delhi to visit, the Qila Rai Pithora was built by the Chauhan Rajput king, Prithviraj in the 10th Century. It is an important remnant of the historical events that Delhi has witnessed and is probably the first of the urban settlements in the Delhi region.

Chauhans took over the control of Delhi from Rajput Tomars in 1160 and their capital was moved from Ajmer in Rajasthan to Delhi. Known by the name of Rai Pithora, Prithviraj Chauhan resisted invaders valiantly, but the dynasty ended in 1192, when Qutubuddin Aibak defeated him.

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2. Lal Kot, Mehrauli

Mehrauli is a heritage site near Delhi known for housing the Lal Kot Fort, the Qutub complex of monuments and other heritage sites. Situated in Gurgaon, it is home to many tombs of Balban, Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar, Shah Alam II, Akbar II, Mohd. Quli Khan, Sultan Garhi and Jamali-Kamali and mosques like the Palam Mosque, Madhi Masjid and Bagichi ki Masjid.

This well-planed complex is about 2 kilometres from the Qutub Minar and has immense importance as an archaeological site. It has with stepwells as well as palaces known as Jahaz Mahal and Zafar Mahal.

3. Siri Fort

A Turkish tribe settled in Afghanistan, the Khilji dynasty followed the Mamluk or Slave dynasty by the end of 13th century. Allauddin Khilji laid the foundations of Siri Fort and also commissioned a victory tower which is better than the Qutub Minar.

He had a reservoir named Hauz Khas excavated to meet the needs of the Siri township, which survives to this day. The semi-circular gateway, with lotus motifs, built by him and known as Alai Darwaza is help up as an excellent example of the true arch as per Islamic Architecture till today.

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4. Tughlaqabad Fort

Tughlaqabad Fort was built by the Turkish Governor, Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, with ramparts raised 10 to 15 meters high and a 6.5 kilometre border. The stature of this octagonal structure, with high battlements, is imposing as befits a citadel which served to defend the kingdom, and its ruins still remain as testimony to its splendor.

The ground plan of the city was irregular, but its stone fortifications impress to this day. The remains of the Fortress of Adilabad, built by Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325–51) which follows the main characteristics of the Tughlaqabad fort’s architectural features, on a smaller scale.

5. Firozabad

Firoz Tughlaq built the Kotla Feroz Shah or Firozabad next to the Yamuna and planted a 1500 year-old polished sandstone pillar with Ashokan inscriptions, weighing 23 tons, on the top of his palace. The Fort had high walls and contained pillared halls, mosques and palaces. Firoze also built hunting lodges in and around Delhi along with mosques. He had the old mosques of Delhi repaired too, along with Sultan Ghori’s tomb, Qutub Minar, Suraj Kund and Hauz Khas, where his own imposingly constructed tomb lies today. Feroz Shah Kotla is a famous sports stadium today, where high-profile, international cricket matches are held.

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6. Shergarh

Shergarh is one of the important forts in Delhi to visit, the capital of Humayun who called it Dinpanah or the Refuge of the Faithful.  But the city was captured by Sher Shah Suri, who demolished it and constructed his own.

Occupying a 2 kilometre-square area, it was left incomplete by Sher Shah. It consists of a double-storied octagonal tower made of red sandstone and marble named Sher-Mandal, a mosque, a lake with boating facilities and a zoological park too.

7. Red Fort

Foremost among the famous forts in Delhi, the massive Red Fort was built on the banks of river Yamuna by Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor. This fortress of Shahjahanabad took ten years to build and stands proud today as the venue of every Indian Prime Minister’s Speech delivered on the Independence Day.

Plundered of its treasures by invaders and destroyed by the British, the Red Fort is home to the Mahals which housed the king and his wives, and has many impressive gates. The Hayat Bakhsh Garden and Shahi Burj are also worth a visit for a glimpse into the past.

Forts Near Delhi

1. Salimgarh Fort

Salim’s Fort is another heritage fort near Delhi, built in 1546 AD by Salim Shah Suri, of the Sur dynasty which ruled Delhi from 1540 to 1555. Under Mughal rule, it was a camp until Aurangzeb converted it into a prison, before the British made it their army camp in 1857.

The fort is wedged between the Aravalli Hills and the Yamuna River, and worked as protection, against nature and man – the Yamuna and the possibility of invaders, both. The view of the Yamuna and the history of war and peace in the fort make it a wonderful location.

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2. Agra Fort

More walled city than Fort admeasuring 980,000 sq.mt., the Agra Fort is 214 kilometres to Delhi and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It functioned as the main residence of the Mughal emperors till 1638. Agra Fort is just 2.5 away from the Taj Mahal, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Originally a brick fort named Badalgarh, it was rebuilt with red sandstone and brick by Akbar. It changed hands from one emperor to another, and participated in much of the turbulent history of the times.

3. Kuchesar Mud Fort

Located in a heritage village in Uttar Pradesh, the Kuchesar Fort was built by the Jat rulers, in the 18th century. Fortified against cannon attacks, the fort has seven turrets and is surrounded by 200 acres of greenery and vegetation.

The fort is a beautiful place where you could picnic in a mango orchard and enjoy the scenic views of the river Ganges and bullock cart rides.

4. Neemrana Fort Palace

Converted into a heritage hotel and resort, the Neemrana Fort Palace is a magical palace in Jaipur, built in the 15th century. Built in 12 layers tiered into a hill, this uniquely designed fort has 7 wings and boasts an ayurvedic spa, hanging gardens, two swimming pools and glorious views of sunsets. A visit to this resort is a trip into the glorious history of India and its kings who were great connoisseurs of art and architecture.

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5. Fort Unchagaon

Another fort converted into a heritage hotel, this fort offers a wonderful getaway for the denizens of Delhi looking for rest and recuperation within a convenient distance from the city. Pottery in the nearby village is also an attraction as are the Gangetic dolphins you get to see in Summer, when taking a boating trip in the river Ganges. Enjoy the bullock cart rides, golf, and horse riding offered here and visit the temple of the Goddess Amantika Devi.

6. Dadhikar Fort, Rajasthan

Just 170 kilometres from Delhi, you will find the Dadhikar fort in Rajasthan is another heritage site, which was built in the 9th century by King Chand in the Aravallis.

The fort has withstood the ravages of time to stand tall today, after being restored to its previous glory. A stay here will prove worth the experience as the ambience is quaint but comfortable.

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7. Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur

Located 237 kilometres away, on the historic path taken by the famed Silk Route, The Alsisar Mahal is a fort near Delhi which served as the residence of the Thakur of Alsisar and is hardened by many battles.

Located in the middle of an arid desert land, this has been converted into a heritage hotel. Visit here to enjoy the frescoes and amazing interiors in the Rajasthani style, the architecture and the antique furniture which defines luxury befitting royalty.

8. Alsisar Mahal, Shekhawati

Located 237 kilometres away, on the historic path taken by the famed Silk Route, The Alsisar Mahal is a fort near Delhi which served as the residence of the Thakur of Alsisar and is hardened by many battles.

Located in the middle of an arid desert land, this has been converted into a heritage hotel. Visit here to enjoy the frescoes and amazing interiors in the Rajasthani style, the architecture and the antique furniture which defines luxury befitting royalty.

9. Ramgarh Fort

Chandel Rajputs, who find mention in the Mahabharat, built this gorgeous fort with its 37 ft gate, and 18 inch thick walls. They ruled central India from the year 800 AD to 1182 AD. This fort near Delhi, is also converted into a heritage hotel, which has the unique distinction of serving only vegetarian food and offering no alcohol.

Visit here to enjoy the beauty of its havelis, painted temples, cenotaphs and buy the woodwork and paintings made here, right in the middle of the desert.

It has long been an established fact that whoever ruled Delhi, also ruled India. This belief stems from the way it has survived through the rise and fall of many an empire and withstood the vagaries of time and fortune. If you have any questions about the forts near Delhi or the forts in Delhi to visit, do let us know in the comments.

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