in dinoñ garche dakan meñ hai baḌī qadr-e-suḳhan
kaun jaa.e ‘zauq’ par dillī kī galiyāñ chhoḌ kar
-Sheikh Ibrahim Zauq
Narrative
The Adilabad fort, also known as the Muhammadabad fort, was constructed during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Adil was the title that was taken up by the latter when he came to the throne. The title ‘Adil’ can also be found on some of the coins issued by the Sultan. It is located southeast of Tughlaqabad and is connected to the latter by a bund and a causeway.
Located on the east of Adilabad fort is yet another fortress known as Nai ka Kot. Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq shifted his capital to Daultabad in early part of his reign, which did not prove to be a very successful venture.
Architecture
The Adilabad fort, also known as the Muhammadabad fort, is located southeast of Tughlaqabad and is connected to the latter by a bund and a causeway. It was constructed during the reign of Muhammad bin tughlaq. The walls of Adilabad fort are constructed of the same batter and ashlar masonry that is used in the construction of Tughlaqabad walls. The fort consists of a lower bailey and an upper keep. While the former can be accessed by two gates- on the southeast and on the southwest; the latter has gates on the east and the west with grain silos and a rectangular court within. Located on the east of Adilabad fort is yet another fortress known as Nai ka Kot, although smaller than the previous two forts, it is constructed in the same manner. The remains within the fort suggest that it contained a citadel and a cantonment. Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq shifted his capital to Daultabad in early part of his reign.
References
a. Welch, Anthony and Crane, Howard. “The Tughlaqs: Master Builders of the Delhi Sultanate”. 1983
b. “Monuments of Delhi: Lasting Splendour of the Great Mughals and Others Volume IV Badarpur-Shahdara Zail.”1997
c. https://www.rekhta.org/