Hauz Khas Fort is the best avenue to explore arcane passages and re-live history, find Nikhil Mishra and Simranjeet Kaur.
Formerly acknowledged for its eternal magnificence, Hauz Khas Fort is now a place to spend free time, play football, chill out and walk around. It is an amazing motley crowd that one encounters inside the fort area ~ strains of guitar echoing in the air, touching the walls of small rooms and small puzzling passages, bringing alive the fort built in the 13th century by Allauddin Khilji. As we entered the fort, its Indo-Islamic architecture enchanted our eyes, the old stone walls proudly reminding us of the Mughal rule in India. Walking along the zigzag path we discovered the history of those arcane passages. This fort is replete with history. The Hauz Khas fort complex was initiated with the construction of a water-reservoir or the royal tank, now known as Hauz Khas Lake. Allauddin Khilji commissioned the reservoir to provide continuous supply of water to the inhabitants of Siri Fort. It was originally named as Hauz-i-Alai, originating from an Urdu word Hauz, which means pond. Later, a number of buildings such as mosque, madrassa, pavilions and atomb sprung up adjoining the water reservoir. This fort is old and popular for locals and a paradise for tourists. When we were lost in its mysterious passages we noticed several photographers strolling around. It was thus that we met Zack Henry, a photographer from the UK who was trying to capture the fort in the warm glow of sunset. The place gets lively during weekends with people milling around. What struck us most was its serenity and tranquil aura. In fact, most people were sitting alone on one side of the lake taking in its calmness. One of the prominent structures in the fort is the tomb of Firoz Shah Tughlaq, a simple structure embellished with Quranic inscriptions built by the emperor for himself. The tomb, sadly, is slightly dilapidated. It was Sikandar Lodhi who put up the buildings seen on the edge, including halls and chambers. Hauz Khas Fort, when it was built, was so splendid and alluring that it attracted travelers from far away. The fort&’s beauty is enhanced by the greenery around it. The adjoining deer park is an added attraction. Sadly, the fort has lost its original beauty and stands in ruins today, with the walls broken and the engravings faded. It is hard to believe that when it was constructed, its splendor mesmerized people. Built in the era of medieval history, this fort marked the beginning of Mughal rule from Delhi. At present this fort has broken doors, rusted iron fencing and ramparts vandalised with graffiti.Yet, what this fort offers to the visitors is unmatchable. It capacious lawns are perfect for outdoor sports .The relics offer boulevard and other arcane passages for people to explore. For the die-hard photographers the place is a paradise. Its royal beauty has vanished somewhere in the present era but still weilds power to mesmerize.