Purana Qila (Old Fort)
4 upcoming events. Next: Candlelight Open Air: Mehfil-e-Ishq (Sun 14 Feb · 8:30 PM).
Getting there
Nearest: Supreme Court (Blue Line), ~1.5–2 km — take an auto/e-rickshaw
Upcoming at Purana Qila (Old Fort)
Sunday14 February
About Purana Qila (Old Fort)
Purana Qila (Old Fort) is the 16th-century citadel on Mathura Road, begun by the Mughal emperor Humayun as part of his city of Dinpanah and strengthened by Sher Shah Suri, whose Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque and the octagonal Sher Mandal still stand inside. ASI excavations here have found traces of settlement going back to the Painted Grey Ware period, around 1000 BC, and the finds are shown in a small archaeological museum on site. The fort has been a performance venue since the 1970s, when Ebrahim Alkazi staged National School of Drama productions such as Andha Yug against its ramparts. Today the lawns inside host large ticketed concerts and festivals, recently including the Sufi festival Jahan-e-Khusrau and devotional music festivals, and the fort has long had an evening sound-and-light show. A lake with boating lies just outside the walls.
Tips before you go
- The main entrance is the western gate, Bara Darwaza, reached from Mathura Road.
- The monument is ASI-ticketed; you can book entry online through the ASI's ticketing portal or buy at the counter. Concert tickets are bought separately from the organiser's ticketing platform.
- Supreme Court (Blue Line) is about 1.5–2 km away, so plan an auto or cab, especially for late-evening shows.
- Delhi Tourism lists an evening sound-and-light show here; confirm the current schedule before you go.
- The Delhi Zoo is right next to the fort's southern side, and Sunder Nursery and Humayun's Tomb are a short drive away if you want to combine a daytime visit.
Frequently asked questions
Which metro station is nearest to Purana Qila?
Supreme Court on the Blue Line (formerly Pragati Maidan) is the nearest, about 1.5–2 km away. An auto or e-rickshaw is the easiest way to cover the last stretch.
What kind of events are held at Purana Qila?
Large ticketed concerts and music festivals are staged on the lawns inside the fort, such as the Sufi festival Jahan-e-Khusrau. It has also been used for theatre since the 1970s, and Delhi Tourism lists an evening sound-and-light show.
Who looks after Purana Qila?
It is a monument protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which runs the ticketing and the on-site archaeological museum.
Around India Gate & Central Vista
India Gate and the Central Vista, including Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath), form Delhi's ceremonial centre and a favourite evening hangout, with lawns, ice-cream carts and the National War Memorial, opened in 2019. The
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