kotla

Kotla is a toponym used in the Indian subcontinent. In Urdu and Hindi, kotla denotes a fort or fortified place, and the term appears in the names of towns, villages, neighborhoods, and other places across India and Pakistan. The word reflects historical defensive features associated with a site and is often preserved in modern place names or administrative designations.

The best-known Kotla is Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. The fortress, built in the 14th century by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, served as a key defensive outpost of the medieval city. The surrounding area took its name from the fort, and the site is home to a major cricket stadium. The venue was commonly known as Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium until 2019, when it was renamed Arun Jaitley Stadium in honor of the former Indian finance minister. The stadium continues to host domestic and international cricket matches.

In addition to Delhi, many other localities across the region bear the name Kotla, reflecting historical fortifications or enclosures. The toponym appears in various forms and spellings and is encountered in both urban and rural settings in India and neighboring countries.