Delhi never misses a chance to impress us with its spectacular beauty, historical monuments, and heritage significance. Tughlaq Sultan is thought to have founded the fourth city of Delhi, Jahanpanah. Jahanpanah is also known as the World’s Refuge. As Delhi is all about the excitement of the present and the nostalgia of the past, let’s travel to the forgotten city of Jahanpanah.

Let’s understand the history of Jahanpanah

The city was established in the early 1300s and can still be found in Delhi. Nearly 700 years ago, this magnificent structure was built. At the end of the 13th century, Sultan Allauddin Khilji built a city named Siri. Later, Sultan Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq built the citadel of Tughlaqabad. After these constructions, Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughlaq created Jahanpan as he aspired to link the walls of Siri. This was done to open up a large tract of land for his power in the area. This fortified city is also thought to house the royal household, the main mosque, and the Lal Kot walls.

Dive into the beautiful ruins of Jahanpanah city

Begampur Masjid

Now known as Begampur Masjid was once the main mosque of this forgotten city. The architecture dates back to the Tughlaq era and can still be seen in Delhi today. The mosque truly enjoyed extreme importance in the ancient era of Muhammad bin Tughlaq with its stunning ‘pishtaq’ giving us major ideas of the era. There were several walls of Jahanpanah which have lost their existence.

Khirki Mosque

Do you wish to spot the stunning beauty of the medieval era? Khirki Mosque is a famous spot to witness architecture and grandeur. You can spot the crumbling columns of the palace along with the deserted spots of Khirki Masjid.

Palace of Sultan

The palace of the Sultan was magnificent with its beauty and powerful political glory. The palace was home to the famed ‘hall of a thousand columns’; Ibn Battuta, who visited Muhammad Bin Tughlaq at Jahanpanah, basically described this. The palace is currently a ruined ruin, with only shrubs and scattered stones visible. With its grandeur, the entryway was once guarded by ornamented elephants.

How did the city of Jahanpanah decline?

The history of India is indeed vivid. With the entry of Sultan Firoz Shah, things took turns for residents of Jahanpanah. As Firozabad grew in size, it began to lose political significance. In 1397, the invasion of Mongol ruler Timur, lead to the unbelievable death of destruction of Jahanpanah. Later, Humayun and Shah Jahan established Dinpanah and Shahjahanabad, respectively. With this, Jahanpanah lost its charm, population and turned to scattered ruins in the city of South Delhi. The ruins of the city are over 13 different areas and locations in Delhi.

What is Jahanpanah today?

Jahanpanah is known as Jahanpanah City Forest, a tranquil haven away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The entry to this forest is accessible from various gates. The forgotten city is now a jogging track for fitness enthusiasts. Yoga camps are common in this forest. The flora and fauna are completely awestruck by tired eyes. When visiting the forest area, it is best not to go into the deeper sections because you may become lost in different parts of the same location.

Consider yourself in a forest, surrounded by greenery and the sweet chirps of migrating birds. Grab a book or headphones while you unwind in the forgotten city of Jahanpanah.

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