1866.] Notes on the Topography &c. of Delhi. 215 



A. D. 1398 to 1450. — Both the old city and Firuzabad gradually 

 declined ; whilst the new city aronnd Grhaiaspoor increased in size 

 and importance ; and in the neighbourhood of this latter the Syud 

 kings took up their abode, building the forts of Khizrabad and 

 Mubarikabad. 



A. D. 1450 to 1530. — The old city had a slight gleam of pi-osperity 

 under Bhailol Lodi, who built the palace and fort of Shahpoor ; but 

 his successor removed the seat of government to Agra, which thence- 

 forward shared with Delhi the honour of being the capital of India. 



A. D. 1530 to 1638. — The next addition was made by Humaiun 

 who commenced to build the fort now known as the Purana Killa ; 

 a work which was completed by his conqueror Shir Shah Sur. 



This monarch, as already described, destroyed much of Firuzabad 

 and of the other cities about, and commenced walling in a city of his 

 own ; a work which the shortness of his reign prevented him from 

 finishing. From this time until the accession of Shah Jahan the 

 capital was rarely fixed at Delhi : but, though much shrunk in 

 size, it still remained a flourishing place. Old Delhi was quite 

 deserted ; Jahanpanah and Shahpoor were still inhabited, but very 

 sparsely. Firuzabad was in ruins; and the bulk of the population 

 resided in Shir Shah's city and in the adjacent Grhaiaspoor, which 

 had now become a mere suburb. The palace was inside the citadel 

 of Din Panah (Purana Killa) ; whilst, three miles away, was the fort of 

 Selim G-urh, used only as a state prison ; at the foot of which lay 

 the ancient Hindu village and temple of Nigumbocle. 



A. D. 1638 to 1707. — The last change had now come, and in 1638 

 — 1648 Shah Jahan founded the palace and city of Shahjahanabad ; 

 from which time the city and population gradually shrank to their 

 present dimensions. We learn from Bernier that, in the beginning 

 of the 18th century, the only portions inhabited were the present 

 city ; a long chain of buildings near the Lahore gate, the extensive 

 remains of Shir Shah's city, and three or four smaller suburbs. He 

 describes the whole as being 4 \ miles long ; which is, as nearly as 

 possible, the distance between the present suburb of Kishengunge, 

 outside the Lahore gate, and the large gateway built by Biudzin 

 Khan opposite to the Purana Killa, measuring along what was 

 then the line of communication through the bazaars. 

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