History · Art and Culture
Delhi is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and was built, destroyed, and rebuilt repeatedly. Seven distinct cities have been identified — each established by different rulers across dynasties from Tomars and Chauhans to Mughals — reflecting the changing political, architectural, and cultural identity of India's capital.
| Order | City Name | Builder | Dynasty | Period | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Qila Rai Pithora (or Lalkot) | Prithviraj Chauhan (Rai Pithora); Lal Kot originally by Anangpal (Tomar ruler) | Rajput (Chauhan) | 10th century | First city with recorded historical facts; ruins near Qutub Minar; Prithviraj's capital was actually Ajmer (not Delhi) |
| 2nd | Siri | Alauddin Khilji | Khilji dynasty | Beginning of 14th century | Saljuk style architecture (craftsmen from Seljuk/Seljucian dynasty from West Asia, fleeing Mongol invasions); Siri fort = thick stone walls + reservoir Hauz Khas |
| 3rd | Tughluqabad | Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq | Tughlaq dynasty (first ruler) | Second decade of 14th century | Majestic and imposing fort; remnants still remain |
| 4th | Jahanpanah | (son of Ghiyasuddin) |
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This chapter covers Introduction, The Seven Cities of Delhi, Key Facts per City, Applied Anchors, Exam Traps. It is organized as revision-ready notes followed by a linked practice quiz.
For Delhi — A City of Seven Cities, focus on definitions, dates, places, institutions, distinguishing features, and factual comparisons in the chapter. Then use the quiz to check recall and identify gaps.
Use the Delhi — A City of Seven Cities chapter headings to organize an answer framework. Connect causes, consequences, comparisons, examples, and evidence wherever the notes provide them instead of memorizing isolated facts.
| Tughlaq dynasty |
| First half of 14th century |
| Wall enclosure between Qila Rai Pithora and Siri; often called 4th city |
| 5th | Firozabad (or Firoze Shah Kotla) | Firuz Shah Tughlaq (cousin of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq) | Tughlaq dynasty | Second half of 14th century | Located next to river Yamuna; contains palaces, pillared halls, mosques, pigeon tower, water tank; Ashokan pillar on top of palace; also undertook large-scale restoration of Qutub Minar, Sultan-e-Garhi Tomb, Hauz Khas; built step well and hunting lodge on North Delhi ridge |
| 6th | Shergarh (Dilli Sher Shahi) | Sher Shah (captured Delhi from Humayun in 1540 AD) | Sur dynasty | 16th century | Originally built by Humayun as Dinpanah; razed by Sher Shah and renamed Shergarh; now called Purana Qila |
| 7th | Shahjahanabad | Shah Jahan | Mughal dynasty | Inaugurated 1642 AD (on Navroz) | Now = Old Delhi; major monuments: Red Fort and Jama Masjid |