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Tughlaqabad Fort facts for kids

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Tughlaqabad Fort is a very old fort in Delhi, India. It was built in 1321 by a ruler named Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq. He was the first king of the Tughlaq dynasty, which was part of the Delhi Sultanate. Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq also built the city of Tughlaqabad around the fort. However, people left this city just six years later, in 1327.

History of Tughlaqabad

Ruins of Tughlaqabad Fort with Ghiyas-ud-din’s tomb in the background 1949
The old ruins of Tughlaqabad Fort with Ghiyasuddin’s tomb in the background, 1949

In 1321, a man named Ghazi Malik became the new ruler. He took the name Ghias-ud-din Tughlaq and started the Tughlaq dynasty. Right away, he began building his new city and fort, Tughlaqabad.

The Saint's Curse

Ghiyas-ud-din was a kind ruler, but he was very passionate about building his new city. He wanted all the workers in Delhi to help build his fort. This made a famous Sufi saint, Nizamuddin Auliya, very angry. The saint was building his own well, and he needed the workers too.

The disagreement between the king and the saint grew big. The saint then put a curse on the fort. He said, "It will not be lived in, or if it is, only by cattle herders." After the Delhi Sultanate lost power, cattle herders, known as Gujjars, did take over parts of the fort. Even today, Tughlaqabad is still in that area.

The King's Death

The saint also gave another famous curse: Hunuz Dilli dur ast, which means "Delhi is still far away."

King Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq won a battle in Bengal. On his way back to Delhi, he was tragically crushed to death when a tent collapsed. This tent had been set up by his son, Muhammad bin Tughluq.

Gallery

  • Ruined fort of Tughlaqabad

    A view of ruined fort of Tughlaqabad during sunset

  • Tughlaqabad massive fort wall

    Tughlaqabad massive fort wall

  • South gate entry to Tughlaqbad fort

    South gate entry to Tughlaqbad fort

  • Entrance of the Mausoleum of Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq

    Entrance of the Mausoleum of Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq

  • Tughlaq Tomb

    Tomb of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq and his son Muhammad Bin Tughlaq

  • Well inside Tughlaqabad

    A Well inside Tughlaqabad Fort

Images for kids

  • Ghiyath aldin tughluq tomb

    The Mausoleum of Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq at Tughluqabad, also showing a side tomb.

  • GHIYĀTHU’D-DĪN TUGHLUQ’S TOMB 04

    Graves inside the Mausoleum

  • Graves of Ghiyas Ud Din, Muhammad Bin Tughlaq

    Ghiyas Ud Din's Grave inside the Mausoleum

  • Underground passage of Tuglaqabad fort

    Underground passage of Tughlaqabad fort

  • Tughluqabad encroaching settlements

    Modern settlement activity spreading in the area of the old city just below the citadel

  • Ghiyath aldin tughluq tomb from tughluqabad

    Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq's tomb as seen from Tughluqabad

  • Tughlaqabad Fort Architecture

    Tughlaqabad Fort Architecture

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