Roshanara Garden Fort Wall Remains A Mughal Princess's Legacy Hidden in North Delhi
Prabhuling jiroli
📖 Introduction
Delhi is a city of layers—each one a capital, each one a story. Among these, Roshanara Garden, tucked in North Delhi near Kamla Nagar and Delhi University, offers a unique blend of floral beauty, colonial legacy, and Mughal ruin. Often known today for its elite cricket club and rose gardens, what many miss are the remains of Mughal-era fort walls nestled in silence within its ancient periphery.
This blog is your complete guide to uncovering the Roshanara Garden Fort Wall Remains—a story of Roshanara Begum, the sister of Emperor Aurangzeb, and the hidden Mughal architecture that survives against time.
🕰️ Historical Timeline
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| c. 1650 CE | Roshanara Garden laid out by Princess Roshanara |
| 1658 CE | Roshanara helps Aurangzeb ascend to the throne |
| Late 1600s | Garden converted into a Mughal pleasure ground and retreat |
| 18th Century | Fortified outer boundary added; garden wall remains built |
| British Period | Garden partially renovated, cricket pavilion added |
| Present Day | Fort walls exist near Roshanara Bagh Club & tomb zone |
🏯 About Roshanara Begum
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Daughter of Shah Jahan
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Sister of Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb
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Helped Aurangzeb seize power by exposing Dara’s weaknesses
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Built Roshanara Garden as her personal retreat
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Tomb is still within the garden complex
🏗️ Fortification Remains: What’s Left?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Perimeter Wall (East) | Broken ramparts visible near the tomb |
| South Wall Segment | Fragmented stone boundary beyond garden path |
| Corner Bastion Bases | Rounded bases partly buried in grass |
| Gate Foundations | Entrance frame possibly Mughal with brick-and-lime |
📍 Where to Find the Ruins
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Walk toward Roshanara Tomb
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To the left of the tomb, look for overgrown boundary walls
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Behind the Roshanara Club, a circular bastion base is partially visible
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At the edge of the Mughal water canal, brick remnants emerge
🛤️ How to Reach
| Mode | Route |
|---|---|
| 🚇 Metro | Pul Bangash Station (Red Line) – 10 mins walk |
| 🚗 Cab/Auto | Pin: “Roshanara Garden, Delhi” |
| 🚌 Bus | Routes to Roshanara Road / Clock Tower stop |
🥾 Walking Route & Trek Plan
Though not a mountain trek, the garden’s fort remains make for a great heritage walk.
Suggested Loop (1.5–2 km):
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Entry through main Roshanara Gate
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Walk towards Roshanara Tomb
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Explore fort walls left of the tomb
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Circle through Roshanara Club grounds (public area only)
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Return through Mughal water canal
| Trek Info | Value |
|---|---|
| Distance | 1.5–2 km |
| Duration | 1–1.5 hrs |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Terrain | Flat, mostly shaded |
🌸 What to See
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| 🪦 Roshanara Tomb | Simple Mughal tomb under white chhatri dome |
| 🧱 Wall Remains | Red stone and lime walls, overgrown but visible |
| 🌊 Water Channel | Runs through garden with historic layout |
| 🏏 Club Grounds | Colonial-era cricket pavilion & elite club heritage |
| 🌹 Rose Gardens | Seasonal flowers blooming near main lawns |
📷 When to Visit
| Season | Best Time |
|---|---|
| Oct–Feb | Ideal walking weather, flowers bloom 🌼 |
| Mar–May | Visit early morning only |
| Jun–Sep | Avoid during monsoon (slippery grass, closed zones) |
🎒 What to Carry
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Reusable water bottle 💧
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Camera or phone with zoom lens 📸
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Sunglasses or cap 🧢
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Light snacks or fruit bar 🥙
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Walking shoes 👟
❌ What Not to Do
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❌ Avoid climbing ruined walls
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❌ Do not enter Roshanara Club private zone without permission
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❌ No littering or plucking flowers
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❌ Avoid exploring alone after sunset
🚫 Who Should Avoid
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Elderly travelers needing smooth pavement (uneven grass paths)
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Visitors seeking large or intact forts
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Tourists expecting signboards or museum-like experiences
📊 Summary Table
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built By | Roshanara Begum (c. 1650 CE) |
| Fortified When | Late Mughal Era (~1700s) |
| Location | Roshanara Garden, Delhi |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Trek Length | 2 km (heritage walk) |
| Must Visit For | History lovers, walkers, hidden spot seekers |
✨ Why You Must Visit
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🌿 A peaceful escape with deep historical roots
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🏛️ See one of Delhi’s few surviving Mughal princess-built monuments
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📷 Discover and document nearly unknown fort walls
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🔍 Pair with exploration of nearby Kashmiri Gate and Old Delhi Heritage Walks
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❤️ Final Thoughts
Roshanara Garden’s fort wall remains might not rise in grandeur like the Red Fort, but their historical value is undeniable. A visit here is not just a stroll through a garden—it’s a walk through a princess’s vision, a fort’s forgotten edge, and a city’s buried story. Hidden behind cricket pavilions and rose beds lies a tale worth rediscovering.