First City of Delhi-Qila Rai Pithora

Vigraharaja IV , the Chauhan prince of Sakambhari, captured Delhi from Tomars in the later half of the 12th century and his grandson Prithviraj III, popularly known by the name of Rai Pithora, extended the Lal Kot by throwing up massive ramparts around it. This enlarged city, with the Lal Kot at its south-western base, is known as Qila Rai Pithora and is the first of the so called seven cities of Delhi. Qila is a Persianword meaning a fort or castle. At that time it was either called Durg or Garh Rai Pithora. Durg and Garh are a Sanskrit words meaning Fort. It was from the fort that the Tomar, Chauhan and the Slave Dynasty ruled over Delhi from 12th to 13th century. Qutub'd-Din captured it in 1192 and made it as his capital. Lal-Kot, its ramparts are cut through by the Delhi-Qutub and Badarpur-Qutub roads. 

     The ruins of the fort ramparts are still partly visible in the area around Qutab Minar. During the era of Tomar and Chauhans magnificent temples were built in Delhi. It is believed that twenty seven Hindu temples complex existed at the site of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and Qutub Minar. The Iron Pillar standing at Mehrauli in utter defiance of rust and ravages of time tells the glory and prosperity of the Rajput dynasty. The Iron Pillar however was not originally in the Qutub Complex and it would appear that it was transported to its current location, perhaps by the Tomar ruler, Anangpal-II from Udayagiri in Central India.The rubble-built ramparts are largely covered by debris, and their entire circuit is not traceable. They are 5 to 6 m in thickness, and as high as 18m on some sides. They were pierced by thirteen gates, according to Timur. Among the gates that still exist are Hauz Rani, Barka and Budaun gates, the last of which is mentioned by Ibn-Battuta and was probably the main entrance to the city.

The remains of Rai Pithora can still be seen in the present Saket, Mehrauli, Kishangarh and Vasant Kunj area.