# Qila Rai Pithora

- **Country:** India
- **Coordinates:** 28.520000, 77.180000
- **Location Text:** or Lal Kot

Qila Rai Pithora, originally known as Lal Kot, is a historic fortified complex located in Mehrauli, South Delhi, India. Constructed between approximately 1052 and 1060 CE by the Tomar Rajput ruler Anangpal Tomar, it is widely recognized as the first city of Delhi. The fortress was built around the famous Iron Pillar of Delhi, which Anangpal relocated from Mathura to serve as a central landmark for new palaces and temples. This strategic placement marked the revival of the region, transforming what was once ruins into a thriving capital that connected the area's mythical past with its historical present.

The architectural scale of Lal Kot was immense for its time, featuring walls that stood 60 feet high and 30 feet thick, enclosing a circumference of over two miles. Distinctive round bastions characterized its defensive design, earning it the title of Delhi's original Red Fort, long before the Mughal era structure bore that name. Today, the site exists primarily as scattered ruins, with remnants of its massive ramparts visible across modern neighborhoods including Saket, Sanjay Van, Kishangarh, and Vasant Kunj. These fragments stand as silent witnesses to the Tomar dynasty, whose rule is further attested by various inscriptions and coins found in the vicinity.

Historically, the fort holds significant importance as the foundation upon which subsequent cities of Delhi were developed, eventually encompassing the renowned Qutb Minar complex. Anangpal II is credited with populating Indraprastha and establishing the identity of Delhi, linking his lineage to the Pandavas of the Mahabharata. While the original grandeur of the palaces within has faded, the surviving sections of the fortification walls remain a crucial archaeological resource. The site currently serves as a protected historical landmark, offering insight into early medieval Indian military architecture and the rich cultural legacy of the Tomar clan.

![Photo of Qila Rai Pithora](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/Outer_Wall_of_Lal_kot_and_Rai_Pithora.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qila_Rai_Pithora (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)