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Chandni Chowk
Old Delhi's main market street, laid out in 1650 by Jahanara Begum, lined with temples, a gurdwara and a mosque and branching into specialist bazaars and…
Mehrauli Archaeological Park
A 200-acre park beside the Qutub Minar with more than 100 monuments, including Balban's tomb, the Jamali Kamali mosque and two medieval stepwells, linked by heritage trails.
At a glance
- Type
- Archaeological park and heritage walk
- Area
- Mehrauli, Delhi, India
Good to know
- Over 100 monuments
- Heritage trails
- Stepwells
Why we recommend it
Mehrauli Archaeological Park is a 200-acre stretch of woodland and ruins in South Delhi, right next to the Qutub Minar complex, and one of the best places in the city for a self-guided heritage walk. More than 100 monuments are scattered across the park, spanning centuries of the city's history from the early Delhi Sultanate to the British period.
The park took its present shape through a redevelopment that began in 1997, in which INTACH, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, was one of the partners. INTACH documented the structures, began heritage walks here in 2000, and has restored about 40 monuments, adding signage, trails and sandstone markers that make it far easier to find your way.
Highlights include the tomb of Balban, the 13th-century sultan, dating from around 1287 and noted as the place where the true arch and true dome first appeared in India. The Jamali Kamali mosque and tomb were built between 1526 and 1535. Rajon ki Baoli is a large stepwell, and the second stepwell, Gandhak ki Baoli, lies beyond it. Near the Boat House stands the tomb of Quli Khan, close to the guest house at Dilkusha used by the British official Sir Thomas Metcalfe.
The park is much quieter than the Qutub Minar next door, and on a weekday morning you may share it mostly with local walkers. That calm is part of the appeal, but facilities are limited, so bring water, wear sturdy shoes for dirt paths and uneven ground, and go in daylight. Allow two to three hours to see the main monuments without rushing. A downloaded map or a guided walk helps, as the monuments are spread out across the woodland and it is easy to miss some of them.
The park suits walkers, photographers and anyone interested in architecture who wants to go beyond the headline sights. It is less suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs because of the terrain.
Combine it with the Qutub Minar for a full morning in Mehrauli, then have lunch in one of the restaurants around Mehrauli or move on to Hauz Khas, a short drive north.
Mehrauli Archaeological Park FAQs
How big is Mehrauli Archaeological Park?
It covers about 200 acres.
How many monuments are in the park?
More than 100.
Where is it?
In Mehrauli, South Delhi, immediately next to the Qutub Minar complex.
What are the highlights?
Balban's tomb, the Jamali Kamali mosque and tomb, Rajon ki Baoli, Gandhak ki Baoli and Quli Khan's tomb.
Why is Balban's tomb important?
It is noted for introducing the true arch and true dome to India, around 1287.
Who looks after the park?
INTACH was a partner in the redevelopment from 1997 and has restored about 40 monuments and created heritage trails.
How long should I allow?
Two to three hours for the main monuments.
Is it suitable for wheelchairs?
Not really, as many paths are unpaved and uneven.
What should I bring?
Water, sturdy shoes and a map, as facilities are limited.