Tughlaq-era Dam structure – Satpula

Context:

Built to supply water, act as bastion, this 14th-century dam still stands strong

Satpula:

• A magnificent Tughlaq-era dam.
• Location – Near Khirki Masjid, New Delhi
• Built in – 1340 by Mohammad Bin Tughlaq
• Purposes –
  • Providing a reliable source of water for irrigation
  • Act as a defence against possible intruders.
• Mentioned in – Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan’s Asar-us-Sanadid (The Remnant Signs of Ancient Heroes)
• Served as a boundary wall for Jahanpanah — the 4^th city of Delhi.

7 cities of Delhi:

• Qila Rai Pithora –
  • Earlier known as – Lal Kot
  • Founded by – Anangpal Tomar of the Rajput Tomar dynasty.
  • Chauhan kings of Ajmer conquered Lal Kot in 1180 and renamed it Qila Rai Pithora.
• Siri –
  • Built by – Alauddin Khilji between 1297 and 1307 to defend India and Delhi against Mongol raids.
  • Comprises – Hazar Sutan palace and Hauz Khas reservoir
• Tughlaqabad –
  • Founded by – Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq
  • Architecture –
    • Fortified by circular bastions that can reach heights of up to 2 stories.
    • Walled city included 7 rainwater tanks.
    • Fort has a half-hexagonal form.
• Jahanpanah –
  • Established by – Mohammad bin Tughlaq
• Firozabad –
  • Built by – Firoz Shah Tughlaq
  • Built in the – 2^nd half of the 14^th century near the Yamuna River.
  • Architecture – Fortified enclosure with high walls that houses palaces, pillared rooms, mosques, a pigeon tower, and a water tank.
• Shergarh or Purana Qila –
  • Humayun built the city of Dinpanah when he first took over the region from the Tughlaqs, but he was ousted by the Suri Dynasty.
  • Sher Shah Suri demolished it and renamed it Shergarh or Dilli Sher Shahi.
  • Known as Purana Qila now.
  • Western Gate is named Bada Darwaza; the Northern Gate is called Talaaqi Darwaza or the Forbidden Gate, and the Southern Gate is called Humayun Darwaza.
• Shahjahanabad –
  • Founded by – Shah Jahan in the 17th century.
  • Site of iconic monuments like the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid.

Source: The Indian Express

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Previous Year Question

With reference to medieval India, which one of the following is the correct sequence in ascending order in terms of size?

[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2021 Prelims]

(a) Paragana—Sarkar—Suba
(b) Sarkar—Paragana—Suba
(c) Suba—Sarkar—Paragana
(d) Paragana—Suba—Sarkar

Answer: (a)

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