Qila Rai Pithora - The first city of Greater Delhi

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I'm curious if any other city or town in India can boast such a long-standing legacy as Delhi. Excluding the Mahabharata period and other prehistoric eras, purely from a historical standpoint, Delhi could be dubbed "The City of Seven Cities." Lal Kot marks the inception of this lineage. Considering Lal Kot as the inaugural city of Delhi, we can designate Qila Rai Pithora as the progenitor of Greater Delhi. Let's delve into this site's history in this article.

History


Anangpal Tomar is traditionally credited as the founder of Delhi, though little is known about his era or personal details. He hailed from the Tomar Rajputs dynasty, possibly vassals of Gurjara-Pratihara rulers, and settled in the Aravalli hills south of Delhi around the 10th century CE. Anangpal Tomar is attributed with constructing Lal Kot, the earliest known fortification in Delhi, forming the nucleus of the city.

King Vigraharaja IV, also known as Visaladeva or Bisaldeo, of the Chauhan dynasty from Sakambhari (modern-day Sambhar region), seized Delhi from the Tomars in the latter half of the 12th century CE. Vigraharaja's grandson, Prithviraj Chauhan III, also known as Rai Pithora, further fortified Lal Kot by erecting another fortress, Qila Rai Pithora, thereby expanding Delhi or shaping Greater Delhi of that era.

Muhammad bin Sam of Ghur twice invaded Qila Rai Pithora, eventually defeating Prithviraj and capturing the fort. His slave Qutbud-Din Aibak was appointed Viceroy of Delhi and later proclaimed himself Sultan of Delhi in 1206 CE, marking the inception of the Slave Dynasty's rule in Delhi.

Monument


Although Qila Rai Pithora lies in ruins today, it fares better than Lal Kot. Its ramparts are visible along the Delhi-Qutb and Badarpur-Qutb roads, with Malviya Nagar Park offering a glimpse of these remnants, albeit largely covered in debris with the full circuit remaining elusive. Originally boasting 13 gates, only three—Hauz-Rani, Barka, and Budaun gates—stand today. In Malviya Nagar Park, a recent addition is the statue of King Rai Pithora near the ramparts, offering visitors a tangible connection to Delhi's storied past.

 Happy travelling.

Location: Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi 110017, India

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