Restoring Siri, largely considered the second city of Delhi, built by Alauddin Khilji in 1311 AD, is proving to be a challenge for the Archaeological Survey of India. Major portions of the fort walls and bastions are under debris and thick vegetation.

The ASI is placing special emphasis on Siri, around Siri Fort in South Delhi, considering the possibility of unearthing an undiscovered city. An amount of Rs 3.41 crore has been sanctioned for developing Siri; seven bastions and an adjoining wall are being unearthed and restored as part of the first phase of work.

“The land here was with the DDA till 2004. It was taken over by us when scientific clearing confirmed the possibility of finding the remains of an old city here,” an ASI official working on the project said.

“Since the land was unused, there are thick vegetation here and these have to be cleared before any excavation or restoration work is taken up. In fact, this is delaying the project,” he said.

A wall found in Siri stretches over 700 m and runs along Gargi College; it is approximately 6.2m in width.

There are bastions along this wall, some of which have been seriously damaged having been under debris for ages.

“As the bastions and the walls are in a very bad shape, we are trying to restore them according to a certain pattern found in the bastions that are preserved and are in a better shape. Brick aggregate of 2mm to 5mm and veneering stone is being used to compact the walls and bastions so that there is no seepage,” the official said.

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