Qila Rai Pithora or Lal Kot

Delhi, India

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Qila Rai Pithora, also known as Lal Kot, is one of the earliest forts in Delhi, originally constructed by the Tomar ruler Anangpal II in the 11th century.

Lal Kot was later expanded and fortified by the Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan, who renamed it Qila Rai Pithora. The fort served as a significant stronghold and marked the first true fortified city of Delhi. It witnessed important historical events, including being the last Hindu fortification before the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate following the defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan by Muhammad Ghori in 1192.

The fort's walls and ruins remain near the modern Qutub Minar area, reflecting the Rajput era's architectural and cultural legacy. The site is also linked with numerous Hindu temples and complexes that existed before being repurposed by later rulers. This fort represents the early medieval foundation of Delhi as a city with deep Rajput and Tomar dynasty roots.​