My New Delhi Diary – Adilabad Fort: The Overlooked Twin of Tughlaqabad 🕌🌿
We felt partially overwhelmed after the 3-hour trudge of the Tughlaqabad fort and the well built Ghiyasudin Tughlaq’s Tomb. I hope you travelled with us in our quest of the past.
Click above the two links for a whirlwind 14th century trip.
Built around 1327 AD by Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, Adilabad Fort was conceived as a smaller extension or twin of Tughlaqabad Fort
Main Fort Walls (Ramparts)🏰
The fort was made using rubble masonry (granite and quartzite), these massive sloped walls follow the same military engineering style you will see in Tughlaqabad FortYou can see the defensive barrier with a strategic view of surrounding terrain. Sloping walls were designed to resist cannonballs and scaling attemptsRocky granite slabs can be seen bordering the broken structures. Probably they were used as living quarters. Presently, tall grasses and trees abound the fort
Southern Adilabad Fort 🧱
We were standing on an elevated rock face, along the short fort wall. These may have served as sentry posts during the hay daysThe elements had eaten away the southern half of the fort. The expansive fortified structures have mainly weathered away, to be replaced by grass and trees
North Eastern End, Adilabad Fort 📜
This sliced and broken wall leads to a controlled access into the fort; likely guarded by soldiers in elevated chambers above the entrance, now disintegratedThe section of the fort wall behind us as we turned eastwards. A sloped road turned at an angle against the wall. This was definitely the passage used by the soldiers, kings to come into the fortSemi-circular bastions can be seen way down the wall head. Spaced along the walls, similar to those of Tughlaqabad. Archers and soldiers used the height to monitor enemy movementsThe only surviving gate, located on the northern side, is relatively modest but stands strong
Northern End, Adilabad Fort 🏛️
Regular visitors of the Adilabad fort, the civilain aircrafts that fly overhead and listen in to the echoes of the mysteries of the Tughlaq dynasty Locals told us that this was the remnants of a granery. Now it has evolved into the playgrounds of young adults couples, enjoying historic moments of languishing loveThis was the gate behind the fort on an upward road, which went outside and acted as the conduit to escape, should the fort be invaded by enemiesA waterbody or a stagnant lake so to speak right out of the fort. Far away dense trees lined the lake and we were about to exit the Adilabad fort complex
The Upright South Wall, Adilabad Fort 🏛️
We finally come out of the fort and walk a stony road towards the southern edge. Not much remained of the fort other than broken structures and sections of destroyed fortification that existed with pomp and gloryA day spent with the Tughlaq dynasty. We covered an area in history from 1321 to 1330. We stopped to catch the setting sun as our car gets a golden glow as the sky throws myriad of colors
It was a fascinating experience ☺️
Adilabad fort, what we saw was a planned extension of Tughlaqabad, holding the ambitious but often chaotic rule of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq.
Inference
🏗️ Built by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq (1327 CE), one of the most controversial and visionary rulers of the Delhi Sultanate
🏯 Twin Fort to Tughlaqabad, Adilabad is often referred to as the “twin” or “sister fort”
🛡️ A Strategic Military Outpost – The fort was part of a larger defensive network to protect the capital from Mongol invasions
⚰️ Home to Forgotten Graves – Within its area, lie unmarked graves — likely of soldiers, workers, or aides from the 14th century
Distance from Gurgaon to Tughlaqabad fort
39 Kms
Pocket pinch
Indian Citizens: ₹20 per person Foreign Nationals: ₹250 per person Children (Below 15 Years): Free entry Nearest Metro Station Tughlaqabad Metro Station (Violet Line)
Best time to visit
Late November through mid March
Activities
Walk carefully and take in the history. Do not expect a very well mantained fort
Parking
Available across the temple, Rs. 50 for first 4 hours and Rs.20 for subsequent hours
SPITFIRE GAUTAM 