WALLS OF LAL KOT AND RAI PITHORA'S FORT FROM
SOHAN GATE TO ADHAM KHAN'S TOMB INCLUDING
THE DITCH WHERE THERE IS AN OUTER WALL
(MEHRAULI)-
Lal Kot, the citadel of the Tomar Rajput king Anangpal, is now survived by its stone build
ramparts and remains of a moat available only at very few places; same is the case with dressed quartzite veneering and semi-circular bastions. Another wall, which is a later construction, is provided with massive towers and is pierced by several gates, known as Ghazni, Sohan and
Ranjit Gates. Excavations have shown that the original citadel of Lal Kot was oblong in plan and the high stone walls to its west which enlarge the original enclosure and are usually regarded as its area are a later construction. A study of excavated remains have shown sequence of two successive periods, i.e., Rajput and early Sultanate periods.
A palatial structure was found together with other
structures. Prithviraja III, popularly known by the name of Rai Pithora, had extended the Lal Kot by erecting massive stone ramparts around it. The new enlarged city had Lal Kot at its south-west base, which is known by the name of Qila Rai Pirhora, the so called First City of Delhi. According to Timur, the rubble built ramparts were pierced by thirteen gates, out of which Hauz Rani, Barka and Budaun Gates are still extant.
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