Siri Fort, Fort ruin in South Delhi, Delhi, India
Siri Fort is a medieval fortification in South Delhi with stone walls, bastions, and a southeastern gate spread within an oval-shaped layout. The remains stretch across residential areas and show the former size of this walled city.
Sultan Alauddin Khilji built Siri Fort in 1303 as the second fortified city of the Delhi Sultanate to defend against Mongol attacks. This founding marked a major moment in Delhi's development under Islamic rule.
The fort displays a mix of Turkish and Indian building methods, brought together by Seljuk craftsmen whose work is still visible in the remaining structures. This blending reflects how different cultures came together in this place.
The site can be visited during daylight hours and the ruins are easy to explore, spread across multiple paths through the area. Wear comfortable shoes since the ground is uneven and some sections blend with the surrounding neighborhood.
The palace of a thousand pillars, Hazar Sutan, stood outside the fort walls and had marble floors; its decorated gateway is described in accounts of Siri. The fort's defenses included flame-shaped battlements, arrow loops and bastions, additions noted for that period. In the nearby Shahpur Jat village, the ruined Tohfewala Gumbad Masjid shows a domed central chamber and sloping walls characteristic of Khalji architecture.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,337 contributors worldwide.