Aurangzeb Jailed His Daughter In This Fort In Delhi For 21 Years
Salimgarh Fort in Delhi, built in 1546 by Salim Shah Suri, imprisoned Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s daughter, Zebunnisa, for 21 years. Despite its haunted reputation, it's a historical monument
In the heart of Delhi, a city renowned for its historical landmarks, stands a lesser-known fort with a poignant past. Salimgarh Fort, now largely forgotten, once bore witness to the tragic fate of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s daughter, Zebunnisa.
According to historians, Zebunnisa was imprisoned in Salimgarh Fort for 21 years by her father, Aurangzeb, and ultimately died there in 1702 after a 22-day hunger strike. Once a formidable fortress, it has since fallen into obscurity and is now referred to by many as ‘Darana Fort’, implying a haunted presence.
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Dr. Sunny Kumar, a history professor at Deshbandhu College of Delhi University, reveals that Salimgarh Fort was originally constructed in 1546 by Salim Shah Suri, the son of Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri, as a defence mechanism against enemies. However, Salim Shah died before its completion, leaving only the fort’s walls and a mosque. Following the Afghan defeat, the fort was assimilated into the Mughal Empire.
During Aurangzeb’s reign, Salimgarh Fort was repurposed as a prison for his relatives, including Zebunnisa. The fort remains a testament to Aurangzeb’s strict governance.
Despite rumours of paranormal activity, Dr. Kumar dismisses such claims, stating that there is no scientific evidence to support the existence of spirits within the fort. He attributes these stories to local folklore and imagination. Today, Salimgarh Fort stands as a historical monument, echoing tales of its storied past.
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