Feroz Shah Fort: Pyramid structure

New Delhi: The fort comprises a three-tiered arcaded structure that was commissioned by Feroz Shah Tughlaq to support the pillar of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. Set up at Topra, near Ambala, Punjab (now in Haryana) by Ashoka, it was brought to Delhi and re-erected in its present location on the orders of Feroz Shah.

In the centuries that followed, much of these structures and buildings were destroyed, but the pillar continues to stand tall. The 27 tonne monolith pillar is 13 metres high, with a diameter of 65 cms at the top and 97 cms at the bottom. The sand stone pillar has inscriptions or edicts of Emperor Ashoka written in Brahmi script in Pali language.

Originally, a capital of coloured stones and a golden globe crowned it with a crescent on top. The building had a railing and 8 domed chhatris (pillared kiosks) at the top and a stone lion at each corner. The pillar has been barricaded and devotees tie sacred pieces of cloth on to the railings and make a wish.