Showcasing never-before-seen archival images of the fort complexes from the ASI collection, and including rare anecdotes about the history of djinns of Purana Qila, the mysterious Nai-ka-Kot and Adilabad Fort, Delhi Heritage Top 10 Forts by Vikramjit Singh Rooprai, is the second book in the Delhi Heritage series.
The book is to be unveiled at Seminar Halls I, II & III, Kamaladevi Complex, India International Centre, New Delhi on 31 August, 2024 at 6.30 pm, in the presence of academic, author & heritage activist Narayani Gupta and historian, filmmaker and activist Sohail Hashmi.
Rooprai dusts off the patina of time in this evocative catalogue of the forts of Delhi. From the intricate detailing of the Red Fort and Feroz Shah Kotla to bemoaning the history of Qilai-Rai Pithora and Salimgarh Fort, this is a handbook and more—a ready reference of the stories of its opulent patrons, a compass for wandering enthusiasts, a barometer of the rise and fall of all the cities we know as Delhi.
Gupta in her comment on the book said, “At a time when historic remains in Delhi are seen as obstacles to ‘development’, this little book is a breath of fresh air, recovers their contexts and stories. Percival Spear did this in 1943. 80 years on, here is his successor. Vikramjit, young and curious, writes for those young at heart, and his text, maps and visuals are presented in an elegant format as only Niyogi Books can.”
Hashmi commented, “Delhi's Top 10 Forts by Vikramjit Singh Rooprai is a valuable companion for his earlier work on the step-wells of Delhi in the Delhi Heritage Top Ten Series launched by Niyogi Books. Vikram's deep interest in the history of Delhi, his painstaking research—he learnt Urdu to be able to access 19th century texts on Delhi—and his commitment to make our heritage accessible to his generation and specially to students, comes through his easy-flowing prose, enhanced substantially by some really stunning photographs taken by him, that bring these great forts alive. One hopes to see more of his writings on Delhi.”
Rooprai, when asked about his book, says, “Literal blood, sweat and tears went into the writing of this book, and after years of laborious research, I am happy to see it out in the world of letters. The city of Delhi is a celebration and lament, and I hope with this second volume in the Delhi Heritage Top 10 series from Niyogi Books, more readers get interested in all that Delhi has to offer.”
Commenting on the publication of the book, Trisha Niyogi, COO, Niyogi Books says, “This little book is an outcome of a big dream to reach out to more people, raising awareness and generating interest in our built heritage. Even though this series has ‘Delhi Heritage’, in its title, we intend to replicate this model across the country, for as many cities and towns as possible. Both Vikramjit and I feel this initiative will only be successful if we can have more such taut, reflexive reads.”
For the record, the Delhi Heritage Top 10 series is a comprehensive guide to Delhi’s heritage icons and architectural gems. The first volume in the series delves into the fascinating history and the great significance of forgotten, subterranean, manmade water structures, commonly known as baolis or step-wells. Culled from half a decade of rigorous research and exploration, this second book takes the readers on a journey through the magnificent forts of Delhi, covering their architecture, history, and importance in the socio-cultural landscape of Delhi as we know it.
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