Sher Shah Suri- From Soldier to Emperor.

 

Sher Shah Suri, originally named Farid Khan, was a prominent Afghan ruler who founded the Sur Empire in northern India after defeating the 2nd Mughal Emperor Humayun (Son of Babur The first Mughal Emperor) in 1540 AD. He ruled from 1540 AD, until his death in 1545 AD, establishing his capital at Sasaram in modern-day Bihar. Sher Shah's empire covered much of northern India, including Punjab, Malwa, Sind, Multan, and Bundelkhand, leaving out Assam, Gujarat, Kashmir, and Nepal. His reign, though brief, was historically significant for its military conquests, administrative reforms, and infrastructural developments, which influenced later Mughal governance.

 Early Life and Rise to Power.

Sher Shah Suri was born around 1486 in Sasaram, Bihar. He came from modest beginnings as the son of a jagirdar (The Feudal) and initially governed his father's jagirs. Through military prowess and administrative skill, he expanded his territories by defeating local rulers and the Bengal Sultanate. By 1537 he had established the Sur dynasty, and by 1540 he successfully defeated Humayun to take control of Delhi.

Military Conquests

Sher Shah was an accomplished military leader who expanded his empire by conquering Punjab, Malwa, Rajasthan, Sind, Multan, and Bundelkhand. He won significant battles against the Mughals, notably at Chausa and Bylgram, which forced Humayun into exile. Sher Shah also subdued rebellious chiefs and secured his empire through strategic fortifications like the Rohtas Fort in Punjab.

 Administrative Reforms

Sher Shah Suri is renowned as one of India’s greatest administrators. He reorganized the empire with a well-structured bureaucracy including four key ministers responsible for revenue, army, foreign affairs, and communications. His land revenue system was systematic, with lands classified into three categories, and the state claiming one-third of crop production as tax, payable in cash or kind. He introduced the first Rupiya (silver coin) and established an efficient postal system.

Infrastructure and Legacy

He is particularly famous for his infrastructural projects, the most notable being the extension and development of the Grand Trunk Road, which connected Chittagong in Bengal to Kabul in Afghanistan, significantly enhancing trade and movement. He also built sarais (rest houses), wells, and other amenities for travelers. Sher Shah revitalized important cities such as Patna (formerly Pataliputra) and strengthened military defenses across his empire. Despite his short reign, his reforms deeply influenced successive rulers, including the Mughals.

Death and Aftermath

Sher Shah Suri died in 1545 during the siege of the Kalinjar fort. His death led to a power struggle among his successors, and eventually, the Mughal Emperor Humayun regained power. Nevertheless, Sher Shah’s legacy as a capable ruler and innovator endures in Indian history.

In summary, Sher Shah Suri and his Sur dynasty played a pivotal role in shaping medieval Indian administration and infrastructure, bridging the gap between the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire with significant military, administrative, and economic reforms.

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5th City of Delhi- Firozabad. 1354 AD.

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Firoz Shah Kotla: The City of Firozabad

Delhi has been the cradle of many medieval cities, each built by a ruler to mark his authority, vision, and architectural taste. Among these, Firoz Shah Kotla, also known as Firozabad, holds a unique place. It was founded in 1354 CE by Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq, the third ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty, and became the fifth city of Delhi. Today, its remains stand between the modern Ring Road and the Yamuna River, silently narrating tales of medieval glory, administrative reforms, and mystical legends. This is  located Just before you entered for Old Delhi.

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Founding of Firozabad

Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq (r. 1351–1388 CE) ascended the throne after his cousin, Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Unlike his predecessor, known for harsh policies and experimental projects, Firoz Shah focused on stability, welfare, and urban development. One of his grandest undertakings was the construction of a new capital, Firozabad, to shift away from the old seat of Tughlaqabad and Jahanpanah.

The city was strategically located on the banks of the Yamuna to ensure water supply and better trade connectivity. It also symbolized the Sultan’s intent to establish a fresh urban identity and leave his imprint on Delhi’s political landscape.

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Architecture and Urban Planning

Firoz Shah Kotla was built as a fortified city with strong ramparts of rubble masonry. The fort-palace complex included:

• The Citadel (Kotla): The core fortified area with palaces, gardens, and administrative buildings.

• Pyramidal Palace: A three-tiered structure built with rubble and lime plaster, once topped with a wooden chamber. It was here that Firoz Shah installed the Ashokan Pillar, transported from Topra (Haryana). This sandstone monolith, inscribed with Brahmi and Prakrit edicts of Emperor Ashoka, symbolized the Sultan’s reverence for India’s ancient past.

• Mosque. 

  
  
  

• The Jami Masjid within the fort was one of the largest mosques in Delhi at the time. It could accommodate thousands of worshippers and was built with simplicity yet great strength. Even today, parts of its arched walls survive. Timur The lame Ruler of Samarkand who plundered delhi in 1398 AD performed here namaz (Prayer in Islam). He was too much attracted by This mosque Architecture and Beauty so he take away some hundreds workers and masons and later on he build Monuments in his capital Samarkand. 

• Samarkand is located in the southeastern part of Uzbekistan, in the Zerafshan River valley, and is considered one of the oldest cities in Central Asia and a historical crossroads on the Silk Road.

• Baolis (Stepwells): To address Delhi’s chronic water scarcity, Firoz Shah constructed several baolis, reservoirs, and canals in and around Firozabad.

The Sultan was not a great innovator in architecture but rather a practical ruler. His buildings emphasized utility over ornamentation, unlike the decorative style of earlier Delhi Sultans.

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Welfare Works and Legacy of Firoz Shah

Beyond fortifications and palaces, Firoz Shah is remembered as a benevolent ruler. He reduced harsh taxes, abolished many unfair levies, and promoted agriculture by building irrigation systems. His city Firozabad was dotted with gardens, hospitals, and schools (madrasas).

Firoz Shah’s reign also marked the arrival of Ashokan heritage into Delhi’s heart, as he transported two Mauryan pillars—one from Topra (now at Firoz Shah Kotla) and another from Meerut (now in Delhi’s Ridge). These became symbolic relics of India’s ancient moral codes under a medieval Islamic Sultan.

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Decline of Firozabad

After Firoz Shah’s death in 1388 AD , the Tughlaq dynasty weakened rapidly. Successive invasions, particularly by Timur in 1398, left Delhi devastated. Firozabad too suffered destruction, and its importance faded as later rulers—Sayyids, Lodis, and Mughals—shifted their capitals elsewhere. Over time, the fort city crumbled, with only ruins surviving.

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The Mystical Side of Firoz Shah Kotla

In modern times, Firoz Shah Kotla is as famous for its ruins as for its legends. Locals believe the abandoned chambers and cells of the fort are inhabited by djinns (spirits). Every Thursday, devotees visit the site, lighting lamps, offering incense, and leaving letters in the cracks of the walls, seeking blessings, solutions to problems, and fulfillment of wishes. This practice has given Firoz Shah Kotla a living mystical dimension, blending Delhi’s Islamic, medieval, and folk traditions.

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Present Day

Today, the remains of Firoz Shah Kotla lie near the famous Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium (now Arun Jaitley Stadium). Though much of the original city has vanished, visitors can still explore:

• The Ashokan Pillar standing tall on its stone base.

• The remnants of the Jami Masjid, one of Delhi’s oldest surviving congregational mosques.

• The fort’s crumbling bastions, baolis (stepwells)  and underground cells.

Archaeological excavations by the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) continue to shed light on the city’s grandeur.

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Conclusion

Firoz Shah Kotla represents a fascinating chapter in Delhi’s history—where imperial ambition met pragmatic urban planning, where ancient Mauryan relics were enshrined in a medieval Sultanate fort, and where today, folklore and faith keep the ruins alive. For historians, travelers, and seekers, Firozabad is not just the fifth city of Delhi, but a living reminder of how power, piety, and people’s imagination shape the destiny of monument.

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Lodhi Tombs and Garden- An Unsung Monument.

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Lodhi Gardens and Lodhi Tombs – A Peaceful Heritage Escape in Delhi

Overview

Lodhi Gardens, located in the heart of New Delhi, is a blend of history, architecture, and nature. It houses the tombs of two important dynasties: the Sayyid and the Lodhi rulers, making it an open-air museum of Indo-Islamic architecture surrounded by serene greenery.

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Major Monuments in Lodhi Gardens

1. Sikandar Lodi’s Tomb (1517 AD)

• Built by his son Ibrahim Lodi.

• Octagonal tomb with a central dome and Mughal-style gardens.

• Enclosed within a walled garden with decorative arches.

• Similar to pre-Mughal style; precursor to later Mughal garden tombs like Humayun’s.

2. Mohammad Shah Sayyid’s Tomb (1444 AD)

• One of the earliest tombs in Delhi with an octagonal plan.

• Distinguished by its lotus-shaped dome and chhatris (domed pavilions).

• Built during the declining years of the Delhi Sultanate.

3. Sheesh Gumbad

• Named for its once shiny glazed tiles.

• Possibly a tomb or assembly hall.

• Intricate plaster decoration and remnants of blue tile work.

4. Bara Gumbad (1490 AD)

• Large dome structure next to a mosque and a guesthouse.

• Features bold arches and a high dome—no tomb inside.

• Considered one of the earliest full domes in Delhi.

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The Garden

• Spread over 90 acres, landscaped in the British era in 1936 by Lady Willingdon.

• Full of shady trees, walking paths, joggers, and morning yoga enthusiasts.

• A favorite spot for photographers, artists, students, and heritage lovers.

• Home to over 100 species of birds and seasonal flowers.

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Visitor Tips

• 📍 Location: Near Khan Market, New Delhi.

• 🕰️ Best Time: Early morning or during sunset.

• 🎟️ Entry Fee: Free.

•  Ideal for: Heritage walks, couple photography, peaceful reading.

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British-Era Hill Station Trains of Incredible India.

 Hill station trains in India introduced by the British, These railways are a major legacy of British colonial engineering and are now cherished heritage experiences for travelers.

Legacy of the Hills: British-Era Hill Station Trains of India

When the British colonized India, they sought to escape the scorching summer heat of the plains. Their solution: cool and scenic hill stations like Shimla, Darjeeling, Ooty, and Matheran. To access these remote paradises, they carved out incredible narrow-gauge railways through rugged mountain terrains. Today, these hill station trains stand as symbols of innovation, charm, and colonial nostalgia.

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1. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR)

📍 West Bengal | 🏗️ Built: 1881 | 🏞️ UNESCO World Heritage Site

Nicknamed: “Toy Train”
Route: New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling (approx. 88 km)
Highlights:

• Zig-zag loops and reverse curves.

• Breathtaking views of the Eastern Himalayas and tea estates.

• Famous Batasia Loop near Ghoom station.

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2. Kalka-Shimla Railway

📍 Himachal Pradesh | 🏗️ Built: 1903 | 🏞️ UNESCO World Heritage Site

Length: 96 km | Tunnels: 102 | Bridges: 864
Highlights:

• Scenic pine forests and old British rest houses.

• Barog Tunnel (the longest and haunted, as legend says).

• Colonial-style stations and viaducts.

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3.  Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR)

📍 Tamil Nadu | 🏗️ Built: 1908 | 🏞️ UNESCO World Heritage Site

Route: Mettupalayam to Ooty (Udhagamandalam)
Unique Feature: Rack-and-pinion system (India’s only one).
Highlights:

• Steepest track in Asia.

• Runs through forests, tunnels, and waterfalls.

• British-era charm and vintage carriages.

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4.  Matheran Hill Railway

📍 Maharashtra | 🏗️ Built: 1907

Route: Neral to Matheran (21 km)
Fun Fact: Matheran is a no-car hill station—only horses and hand-pulled rickshaws allowed.
Highlights:

• Serene travel through dense Western Ghats.

• Perfect weekend escape from Mumbai or Pune.

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5. 🚞 Kangra Valley Railway

📍 Himachal Pradesh | 🏗️ Built: 1929

Route: Pathankot to Jogindernagar (164 km)
Highlights:

• Spectacular Dhauladhar mountain views.

• Rural Himachali culture and river crossings.

• Less touristy, more authentic experience.

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 Colonial Engineering with Indian Soul

These hill railways were not just for leisure. They had strategic importance for the British army and administration. Yet over time, they became integral to local economies and beloved by Indian and foreign travelers too.

They showcase a unique blend of:

• British-era engineering excellence.

• Indian natural beauty and diversity.

• Cultural nostalgia of a bygone era.

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 Why You Should Ride One Today

• ✨ Heritage Experience: Step into a living museum.

• 🌿 Eco-Friendly Travel: Slow and scenic.

• 📸 Photographic Delight: Every curve offers a postcard shot.

• 🤝 Community:  Enjoy guided tours, Meet locals, vendors, and railway staff full of stories.

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✅ Travel Tips.

• 📅 Best time: October to March (except during monsoon for Matheran).

• 🎟️ Choose first-class or heritage coaches for vintage charm.

• 🧣 Carry warm clothes in higher altitude routes like Shimla or Darjeeling.

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🖼️ Suggested Pictures to Include:

1. Steam engine at a colonial-style station.

2. Loop or curved bridge with train crossing.

3. Inside view of heritage train compartment.

4. Local vendors and school kids waving to the train.

5. A station sign in English from the British period.

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🌄 Final Thoughts

These trains are not just transportation—they’re a journey through history, nature, and culture. Whether you’re a heritage lover, photographer, or curious traveler, a ride on a hill station train is one of the most magical ways to experience India.

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Contact me at mansur29029@gmail.com for safe, budget friendly and memorable Hills trains tours with Golden Triangle or other parts of India.

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