Posted on: 8 September 2010

The Purana Qila from the north, with Humayun's Tomb beyond - 1815.

Watercolour of Purana Qila from 'Views by Seeta Ram from Delhi to Tughlikabad Vol. VII' produced for Lord Moira, afterwards the Marquess of Hastings, by Sita Ram between 1814-15. Marquess of Hastings, the Governor-General of Bengal and the Commander-in-Chief (r.1813-23), was accompanied by artist Sita Ram (flourished c.1810-22) to illustrate his journey from Calcutta to Delhi between 1814-15.

Idealised view of the Purana Qila (1530-45) from the north, with Humayun's tomb beyond, and an elephant and bullock cart in the foreground. Located along the Jumna river in east Delhi, Purana Qila's construction was commenced by Mughal Emperor Humayun (r.1530-56). As Humayun was temporarily deposed, the Afghan Sultan Sher Shar Sur (r.1540-55) completed construction of the fort. Humayun tomb was constructed c.1565 by his widow Haji Begum. The architectural style incorporated Persian and Mughal styles which later influenced the building of the Taj Mahal in Agra with similar features including a central bayed arch, a raised dome, and the use of chatris or pavilions. The tomb is located within a charbagh, a four-fold garden. Inscribed below:' Old Fort at Delhi.'

Source : British Library


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Any Books on this ???

Interesting comment; I have not seen any book on the Purana Qila either. The Qila has two interesting buildings. One is Sher Shah's mosque exquisitely built of red stone. This building is worth a visit. The other is Sher Mandal where Emperor Humayun fell and met his death. The steps of Sher Mandal (which was apparently being used as his library and an observatory) are unusually high. Humayun was walking down but hearing the muezzin's call for evening prayers, decided to sit down, got caught in his cloak and fell down the stairs. In a couple of days he died of the injury, and the young Akbar was declared the Emperor.

beautiful !!!!