Tughlaqabad fort
The latest updates on Tughlaqabad Fort as of September 2025 highlight significant judicial and administrative activity focused on preserving the fort by removing illegal encroachments and unauthorized constructions around its vicinity.
- The Delhi High Court has formed a seven-member committee, chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, to survey the area, draft a comprehensive policy for eviction of encroachments, and provide rehabilitation to displaced residents under schemes like PM–UDAY.
- The court emphasized that Tughlaqabad Fort is a monument of national importance and must remain free of illegal occupation to protect its heritage.
- Additionally, restoration efforts are ongoing, including a project by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to restore a lake near the fort named "Hansa Ki Johar," expected to be completed by March 2026. The fort is illuminated at night, but it remains open only during daylight hours due to security concerns. The restoration aims to increase tourist attraction while maintaining the historical integrity of the site.
- Visitor statistics showed a decline in non-resident visits in 2024 compared to the previous year, which may be impacted by ongoing legal and restoration work.
About Tughlaqabad fort
Tughlaqabad Fort is a ruined fort in Delhi, India, constructed in 1321 by Ghiyasuddin Tughluq, the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty and ruler of the Delhi Sultanate. It was built as a strong fortress to protect the Sultanate against Mongol invasions and served as the centerpiece of the third historic city of Delhi. The fort was abandoned in 1327, only a few years after its completion.
Historical Background
Ghiyasuddin Tughluq commissioned the construction of Tughlaqabad Fort shortly after establishing the Tughlaq dynasty. The fortification was meant to showcase his power and provide a formidable defense against threats, particularly from the Mongols. The city around it was planned with houses arranged in a grid, with the fort including a citadel, royal palace area, and a large water reservoir nearby that also acted as a defense barrier.
Architecture and Layout
- The fort's massive stone walls are sloping, rubble-filled, and stand around 10 to 15 meters high.
- Battlemented parapets and circular bastions, some two stories tall, strengthened the defenses.
- The city's irregular ground plan was surrounded by these enormous fortifications.
- Originally, up to 52 gates existed, but only 13 remain today.
- The fort covers a circuit of about 6.4 kilometers with a roughly half-hexagonal shape.
- Internally, there are three main sections: the city area with houses, the citadel with towers and underground passages (like the Bijai-Mandal tower), and the royal palace area.
Summary of Latest Developments on Tughlaqabad Fort
| Aspect |
Latest Detail |
| Legal Action |
Delhi High Court forms panel for survey, eviction, rehabilitation of encroachers |
| Committee Members |
Includes Union housing secretary, ASI DG, Delhi Govt officials, police, and revenue commissioner |
| Restoration |
ASI restoring nearby lake "Hansa Ki Johar," expected completion by March 2026 |
| Security & Tourism |
Fort illuminated but open only daylight hours due to safety concerns |
| Visitor Trends |
Decline in non-resident visits to 316,000 in 2024 from 619,000 in 2023 |
This comprehensive effort reflects the government's renewed focus on preserving Tughlaqabad Fort's historical and architectural significance while addressing the encroachment and safety challenges.
Download Pdf
