To go or not to go was never the question. What is of essence here is how much this broken down, desolate and grand-to-the-power-of-infinity monument translates to pure bliss. I am talking about Aadilabad, one of the lease visited places in Delhi, which in turn might have contributed in preserving the old world ambience around it.

Located on the south eastern part of Delhi, it was built in the 14th century by Muhammad Bin Tughluq and stands facing the mammoth Tughluqabad Fort built by his father, Ghiyasuddin. Built on a hill that rises up steeply from the surrounding flatland (which used to be a lake when Tughluqs ruled), Aadilabad makes for an excellently aerobic climb. By the time you have crossed the impressive gateway and stare at the fort ramparts, the wind is completely drained off you!

The first thing you notice apart from the sprawling ruins is the near complete silence and the absence of people…nobody in sight, not even lovey-dovey couples. Ibn Batuta, the 14th century Moorish traveler and chronicler of Mohammed Bin Tughluq, recorded the splendour of the hazar sutun (thousand pillared hall), where Muhammad-bin Tughluq sat under a wooden canopy for public audience. The pillars might have been savaged by the centuries, but with a little imagination, reconstruction is easy.

The most unique part of the fort is the bijay mandal. It is a part tower, part bastion built on the western side of the fort. Higher than the rest of the structures, it commands an excellent view of the adjacent areas and could have been used by the emperor to observe and direct troop movement. Today, tramps like me spend hours on this windy edifice trying to photograph eagles that dare to soar over the kingdom I survey!