The Geographical Dictionary of Ancient and Mediaeval India c5.s7.5.1

c5.s7.5.1

Indraprastha—Old Delhi. It is also called Brihasthala in the *Mahābhārata*. The city of Indraprastha was built on the banks of the Jamuna, between the more modern Kotila of Firoz Shah, and Humayun's tomb, about two miles south of modern Delhi. The river has now shifted its course more than a mile eastwards. The Nigambod Ghat on the banks of the Jamuna near the Nigambod gate of Shah-jahan's Delhi, just outside the fort close to Selimgad, and the temple of Nilachatri said to have been erected by Yudhishthira on the occasion of performing a homa, are believed to have formed part of the ancient capital. It was also called Khāndava-prastha, and formed part of Khāndava-vana (*see Khāndava-vana*). The name Indraprastha is preserved in that of Indrapat, one of the popular names of the fort Purāna. Kilā, which is still pointed out as the fort of Yudhishthira and his brothers. The fort was repaired or built on the original Hindu foundations by Humayun and was called Dīnpanā (*Arch. S. Rep.*, vol, IV). It now contains the Keelā Koni mosque the building of which was commenced by Humayun and completed by Sher Shah, and also the Sher Manjil or the palace of Sher Shah, which was used as a library by Humayun on his re-accession to the throne, and in which he met with his death by an accidental fall. Indraprastha was the capital of Yudhishṭhira, who became king in the year 653 of the Kali era, called also the Yudhishṭhira era.