Satpula is a remarkable ancient water harvesting dam or weir located about 800 m (2,625 ft) east of the Khirki Masjid that is integral to the compound wall of the medieval fourth city of the Jahanpanah in Delhi, with its construction credited to the reign of Sultan Muhammad Shah Tughlaq (Muhammad bin Tughluq) (1325–1351) of the Tughlaq Dynasty.

Some tribal groups, such as the Chaghatai tribes, had launched raids on many places in North India and even posed serious threats to Delhi, when the Sultan was on his south Indian campaign.

One of the viable options planned was of building the Satpula, the seven arches bridge or gate controlled weir or dam, to tap the water resources of the local nullah (stream) on Southern Delhi Ridge feeding the Yamuna river, which could be used to bring large areas of flat land in the vicinity under controlled irrigated agriculture to grow food crops to stem the famine conditions.

This solution was also thought to provide the much needed defense to the walls of the newly built city of Jahanpanah.

[6][7] Thus, a reliable water storage reservoir in the arid region of Delhi, which has the Thar desert on its west, was built as the headworks or weir across the Barapulla Nallah.

The gates of the sluices were closed as a defensive measure against possible attack in the dry season when no storage remained in the dam.

On both banks of the weir identical towers (defensive bastions, projecting on the south and north sides) of 5.97 m (20 ft) diameter, but with octagonal shape chambers, are built, which once functioned as madrasa (Islamic school of learning).

This restoration now permits access to the wide parapet of the bridge to fully view the impressive engineering structure.

The restoration works of the Satpula is at an estimated cost of Rs 20 lakhs (US$40,000) for conservation of the monument to highlight its structural elegance by improving its overall view, enhancing environmental aesthetics and its illumination.