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Lal Kot is ranks among the most ancient monuments of Delhi as it dates back to the eighth century. The monument owes its origin to Anangpal Tomar who had built it as a majestic red fortress as he shifted his capital to the city. Gigantic walls were later added by the Rajputs who captured the fort in the 12th century. The fort was however robbed of its glory as the Slave rulers reduced the fortifications to ruins and in an attempt to wipe out the Hindu reign, replaced the fort with a mosque which also happens to be the first mosque in India. The remnants of the ancient fort can today be seen standing bleakly amidst the numerous historic monuments of the city. The fort was originally a marvelous construction, comprising of towering columns and entrances. As Prithviraj Chauhan later extended the fort to house his city Qila Rai Pithora, the fort flourished into numerous buildings and structures. Lal Kot comprised of a number of towering gates like Ghazni, Sohan and Ranjit. A few other constructions have also been excavated below the main fort, though no palace has yet been unearthed. The walls which ran round the fort too were gigantic constructions, as they measure more than two and a half meters wide even when in ruins. The ancient building now stands to narrate the various chapters which Delhi had passed through. Shaped in an interesting oblong pattern, Lal Kot is a fine specimen of the period’s architecture. Though the fort is now in ruins and very little of the intricate designs remain, it is not difficult to figure out the basic shape of the fort. One can still discern from the ruins, the grandeur which marked the Rajput architectures of the period. The fort had long endured the test of time, struggling for existence in the pollution of the city. Lal Kot now stands as one of the oldest architectures of the city, narrating to its visitors, the tumultuous days which it had witnessed. Lal Kot is stand on the Badarpur Qutab Road or Mehrauli Qutab Road. As the monument is located in Central Delhi, it can be easily reached from any corner of the city. The Nizamuddin Railway Station and the Secretariat Metro Station lie close to Lal Kot.
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