Siri Fort commands a special place in the realms of history because of the various aspects. The very first is that, Siri was the second city to be built in Delhi and the second is that, it was never conquered. The city was build by Sultan Alaud-Din Khilji in year 1303. The city was situated in a ravine north of Qutab Minar.

It is indeed very sad that very less remains of what once was a flourishing city. You can find some of the ruins in the Siri complex area scattered between the Hauz Khas village and Khel Gaon. As discussed, you will find nothing more than some of the high raised walls in the southern and western part of once magnificent town. Yes you can also find some bastions and a Garrison on the eastern side of Siri. It is difficult to believe that this fort was once considered invincible. Only the battlements in the south-eastern pare of the fort remind of its glorious past. The city has a reputation of becoming the Achilles' heel of Mongols. The city not only survived the yearlong siege from the Mongols, its counter attack left at least 10000 ferocious Mongol fighters dead beneath its walls. It is claimed because 10,000 heads of Mongols rolled beneath its walls, it got the name Siri. 'Siri' in Hindi means 'Head'. But there is not much proof corroborating the theory and it seems it suffers from oriental exaggeration.

The city was said to be very magnificent with large forts and apartments for the royal residence. It had seven gates for thoroughfare, but only 4 of them, one on each side, were opened for residents. There is not much evidence left of what was once a magnificent palace, apart from its intimidating southern gate. According to the secondary historical evidence, the palace itself was intimidating and was decorated with marvelous naqqasi works on its walls and roofs. The interiors are said to be decorated with precious stones such as sapphire and lapis Lazuli. If you move a bit south towards the Shahpur Jat village, you will find some of the ruins belonging to khilji era but sadly apart from the historical Tohfe wali Masjid , none of them truly depict the magnificence of that era. Even among the ruins of the Masjid only its domed central apartment and the sloping walls have survived to be admired.

Location:- South Delhi near Hauz Khas