As we take the Delhi-Mathura road to Agra, we come to a structure which is in ruins and is surrounded by greenery. This is the old fort or the Purana Qila of Delhi. Delhi, as we all know is very Ancient City. It was created and destroyed seven times and the present day Delhi is the seventh version of the original. Though in the ancient times, though it was not called Delhi, finds mention in many of the ancient texts. The great epic it is called Indraprastha.
This was the capital of the Pandavas and it is said that the beauty & splendor of this city was one of the reasons due to which battle of Mahabharata was fought. This was some 5000 years ago. Apart from Indraprastha at various times Delhi was called Lal Kot, Qila Rai Pithora, Siri, Jahanpanah, Tughlakabad, Ferozabad, Dinpanah and Dehli Sher Shahi or Shahjahanabad. These versions of Delhi might have not been situated at what today is called the Purana Qila but they certainly intrinsically identified with power and imperial sway.