SR Kotla Prints

Feroz Shah Kotla is a 14th-century fortress in Delhi, built by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq as part of the city of Firozabad. Its open grounds hold sandstone ruins, the Jami Masjid, a circular baoli and a Topra Ashokan pillar dating to the 3rd century BC. Inscriptions on the pillar include Brahmi, Pali and Sanskrit. The grounds are quieter than many Delhi monuments, with a calm, mysterious feel and local legends about jinns. Come for a peaceful walk and a glimpse of medieval Delhi.

A fortress built for Firozabad

Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq founded Firozabad in 1354 as a new city of Delhi. Feroz Shah Kotla was its fortress, part of a larger complex that once included palaces, mosques and gardens. Most of the city has disappeared or been reused, leaving the fort’s surviving structures and grounds as traces of the former capital.

The remains are set within an open complex, with sandstone structures and greenery. A site map helps orient you among the ruins, though there is limited information on display. The grounds are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Ashokan pillar, mosque and baoli

The most recognisable monument is the Topra Ashokan pillar, dating to the 3rd century BC. Sultan Feroz Shah had it brought from Topra Kalan in what is now Haryana. Its inscriptions include the original Brahmi script, with Pali and Sanskrit added later.

The Jami Masjid and circular baoli are other notable remains. The grounds also have subterranean chambers, adding to the site’s subdued atmosphere. Local legends connect the fort with jinns. The stories are part of the place’s living reputation; visitors should show respect around the mosque and follow directions about areas to avoid.