The seven cities of Delhi

The Seven Cities of Delhi refer to the successive historical urban settlements that evolved over centuries in and around the area now known as Delhi. Each city was founded by different rulers from the 11th to the 17th centuries, reflecting changing political powers, architectural styles, and cultural influences. Together, they chart the transformation of Delhi from a regional stronghold to the imperial capital of several great dynasties, culminating in the Mughal era. These seven historical cities—though now largely in ruins—form the foundation of modern Delhi’s layered identity.

Historical Overview

Delhi’s geography, located on the banks of the River Yamuna and near the ancient trade routes of northern India, made it a strategic and desirable location for successive empires. The earliest settlements were established by the Tomaras and Chauhans, followed by the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals, each building new capitals on or near the ruins of the previous ones.
The traditional list of the Seven Cities includes:

1. Lal Kot and Qila Rai Pithora (Tomar and Chauhan dynasties)
2. Siri (Alauddin Khalji)
3. Tughlaqabad (Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq)
4. Jahanpanah (Muhammad bin Tughlaq)
5. Firozabad (Firoz Shah Tughlaq)
6. Dinpanah / Shergarh (Humayun and Sher Shah Suri)
7. Shahjahanabad (Shah Jahan)

Each of these cities contributed to the political, architectural, and cultural development of Delhi, leaving behind distinct monuments that continue to define its historical landscape.

1. Lal Kot and Qila Rai Pithora (11th–12th Century)

The earliest known city of Delhi, Lal Kot, was established by the Tomar Rajput ruler Anangpal Tomar II around 1052 CE. It was a fortified settlement with ramparts of rubble masonry, considered the nucleus of the earliest Delhi.
Later, in the 12th century, Prithviraj Chauhan, the Chauhan ruler, expanded Lal Kot and renamed it Qila Rai Pithora. This fortified city encompassed modern-day Mehrauli and parts of South Delhi, including the Qutub Minar complex.
Architectural Highlights:

• Qutub Minar, begun by Qutb-ud-din Aibak (1200 CE) and completed by Iltutmish, stands as a symbol of early Indo-Islamic architecture.
• Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, one of India’s earliest mosques, incorporates spolia from Hindu and Jain temples, reflecting cultural transition during the Delhi Sultanate’s establishment.

Lal Kot–Qila Rai Pithora represents the foundation of Delhi’s urban history, blending Rajput and early Islamic architectural traditions.

2. Siri (Late 13th–Early 14th Century)

The second city of Delhi, Siri, was established by Alauddin Khalji (r. 1296–1316 CE) of the Khalji dynasty. It was built as a new capital to defend against Mongol invasions and to accommodate his expanding army.
Located near present-day Shahpur Jat and Hauz Khas, Siri was a heavily fortified city enclosed by high walls and circular bastions.
Architectural Features:

• The Siri Fort Wall, parts of which still survive, is made of rubble masonry with sloping walls typical of Sultanate fortifications.
• The Ala’i Darwaza, in the nearby Qutub complex, showcases the earliest use of true arches and domes in India.
• Hauz Khas Reservoir (Hauz-i-Alai) was excavated by Alauddin to provide water to the new city and remains a prominent feature.

Siri marked the consolidation of Indo-Islamic architecture and urban planning in Delhi.

3. Tughlaqabad (1321–1325 CE)

The third city, Tughlaqabad, was founded by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, the first ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty, as a grand fort-city combining defensive might and imperial vision. Situated on the rocky Aravalli hills in South Delhi, it was constructed rapidly and symbolised Tughlaq power.
Architectural Features:

• Massive stone fortifications with sloping walls, bastions, and battlements.
• Tughlaqabad Fort, occupying over 6 square kilometres, was a self-contained city with royal palaces, granaries, and water tanks.
• The Mausoleum of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, linked to the fort by a causeway, is an early example of Tughlaq funerary architecture.

However, the fort was soon abandoned after Ghiyasuddin’s death, partly due to lack of water and the curse of Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya.

4. Jahanpanah (1326–1335 CE)

Jahanpanah, meaning “Refuge of the World”, was the fourth city, founded by Muhammad bin Tughlaq, son of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq. His ambitious plan was to unite the earlier cities of Siri, Tughlaqabad, and Lal Kot–Qila Rai Pithora within a single fortified enclosure.
Located in present-day Khirki and Begumpur areas, Jahanpanah covered a vast area and was intended to be the grandest of all Delhi’s cities.
Architectural Features:

• Remains of Jahanpanah Fort Walls, with bastions and gateways.
• Begumpur Mosque and Khirki Mosque, built during Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign, are significant examples of early congregational mosques.

Despite its scale, Jahanpanah’s ambitious plan was never fully realised, and the city declined soon after the ruler’s death.

5. Firozabad (1354 CE)

The fifth city, Firozabad, was established by Firoz Shah Tughlaq (r. 1351–1388 CE) along the banks of the Yamuna River, north of older settlements. Unlike his predecessors, Firoz Shah focused on public welfare and infrastructure rather than military expansion.
Architectural Features:

• Firoz Shah Kotla Fort, built of rubble masonry, housed palaces, audience halls, and a mosque.
• The fort’s most striking feature is the Ashokan Pillar—a 3rd-century BCE monolithic sandstone column transported from Topra (Haryana) and re-erected here.
• Firoz Shah also constructed madrasas, hospitals, and stepwells (baolis), promoting civic development.

Firozabad represented a more humane and administrative phase in Delhi’s urban evolution, with emphasis on public works and restoration of older monuments.

6. Dinpanah and Shergarh (16th Century)

After a long gap following the decline of the Tughlaqs and the rise of the Lodis, Mughal Emperor Humayun founded the sixth city, Dinpanah (“Refuge of the Faith”), around 1533 CE near the site of the ancient Purana Qila (Old Fort).
When Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun in 1540, he expanded and renamed the site Shergarh, adding new fortifications, gates, and buildings.
Architectural Highlights:

• Purana Qila, with its massive gates—Bada Darwaza, Humayun Darwaza, and Talaqi Darwaza—exemplifies transitional architecture between the Lodis and early Mughals.
• Sher Mandal, a two-storeyed octagonal tower, is believed to have been Humayun’s library, where he met his death after a fall.
• The Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque, built by Sher Shah, displays fine use of red sandstone and white marble, anticipating later Mughal style.

Dinpanah–Shergarh represents the early Mughal phase in Delhi’s architectural and political history.

7. Shahjahanabad (1639 CE)

The seventh and final historical city, Shahjahanabad, was founded by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1639 CE. It remains the best-preserved of Delhi’s historical cities and continues to form the core of Old Delhi today.
Built along the Yamuna River, Shahjahanabad served as the Mughal capital until the mid-19th century. It was laid out with grand avenues, markets, gardens, and monumental architecture reflecting the zenith of Mughal urban design.
Architectural Highlights:

• Red Fort (Lal Qila): A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the imperial residence, featuring the Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, and the Rang Mahal.
• Jama Masjid: One of India’s largest mosques, constructed in red sandstone and marble, commanding the city’s skyline.
• Chandni Chowk: The central bazaar designed by Shah Jahan’s daughter, Jahanara Begum, reflecting planned urban commerce.
• Elegant havelis, gardens, and kuchas (lanes) structured the city’s vibrant social life.

Shahjahanabad symbolised the apogee of Mughal architecture and urbanism, blending Persian, Timurid, and indigenous Indian traditions into a harmonious whole.

Legacy of the Seven Cities

The Seven Cities of Delhi collectively narrate over 900 years of Indian history—from Rajput fortresses to Sultanate citadels and Mughal splendour. Each city represents a distinct phase of architectural evolution:

• From Hindu fortifications to Islamic domes and arches,
• From military citadels to cosmopolitan imperial capitals.