Explore the Mehrauli Archaeological Park in Delhi

Mehrauli Archaeological Park is a fascinating historical trail in Delhi, overshadowed by its famous neighbour, the Qutub Minar complex. A walk through this tranquil park with dusty old monuments scattered among a shadowy miniature jungle and a modern settlement leaves an effect on all travellers. The Park holds multiple tombs, fortifications, and mosques from the glorious pasts of the Delhi Sultanate, Mughal empire, and British raj.  

How old is the Mehrauli park? 

Mehrauli Park covers an area of about 200 acres, and is one of the oldest places in Delhi. It has more than 100 monuments, some even dating back to the 10th century AD! The area also hosts a forest with bats, parakeets, other birds and wild pigs. Historical evidence such as the ruins of Lal Kot built in 1060 AD point toward more than 1000 years of habitation history.  

What are the historical monuments in Mehrauli?

Here’s a quick list of some of the most important monuments of the Mehrauli Archaeological Park:  

Jamali-Kamali Mosque: A huge Mughal-style gate leads to what is supposed to be one of the most haunted places of Delhi. Built by Sufi poet Shaikh Fazl al-Allah, commonly known as Jamali in the early 16th century, the mosque is attached to the poet’s tomb.  

Sufi dargah: A dusty trail leads to the dargah of the Sufi mystic and saint, Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, next to which is Balban’s tomb, a structure famous for having the oldest Mughal / Persian arch in India.   

Tomb of Muhammad Quli Khan: An elaborate ruin in a grand Mughal style, this was leased to Sir Thomas Metcalfe, an Englishman who belonged to the Mughal court of Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar II. He was clearly very happy with its calligraphy inlaid walls and grandeur, and called it Dilkhusha. 

Adham Khan’s mausoleum: Another tomb with an interesting story, this was also leased out as a British residence, later as a police station, and then it became a post office!  

The park also has Delhi’s finest step well, Rajon ki Baoli. This structure was created in the 16th-century by Ibrahim Lodhi to provide water to the area.