[jyotirmoy]

When I first moved to Delhi in the early 70’s and began to explore the historical sites Tughlaqabad fascinated me the most. It also made me wonder why such a fabulous historical remains should remain totally neglected. I spent days exploring this and walked the 7 km long rampart. On full moon nights the place seemed to come alive. I found nomads taking shelter among the great broken down halls, illegal stone quarrying going on, people removing stones, slabs, pillars. The curse of Baba Nizamuddin really fell on the fort of Tughlaqabad. It is said that when Ghiasuddin Tughlaq, the worst tyrant that ever ruled Delhi was constructing this fort come city, he ordered all labourers to leave what ever they were doing and come to work for him. At this time Baba was getting a pond dug for the benefit of the poor. The labourers engaged by him had to leave. An angry Baba cursed the sultan and said that very soon this grand citadel would be deserted and only nomad cattle grazers will take shelter there and it really happened. This place was deserted after three generations.

Recently some stone slabs with 13th. century inscriptions have been found that led our sleeping ASI to start excavation. Delhi ASI has no one to decipher the old Arabic scripts so an expert from Nagpur ASI has been deputed.
Seven Baolis(water reservoirs) have been found. These were located in different parts of the city. Apart from the slabs now hidden steps, frames of arched doorways and other old structures were unearthed. At this moment the depth of the Baoli can not be predicted. This fort is really a testimony to the skilled craftsmanship of mediaeval India said an eminent historian. It has been decided by Delhi Govt. to fully develop Tughlaqabad before the common wealth games to be held in 2010.

[priya]

It would be a wonderful tourist attraction if these structures and excavations are completed before the Games in 2010.  

What a shame this historical site has been left to fall into such disrepair, but all is not lost.

[torryquine]

Fascinating Jyoti, another good reason to return to Delhi.  We were amazed at the impact the Commonwealth Games are having on the city and can't wait to see what else develops