Mehrauli Archaeological Park

The Mehrauli Archaeological Park is a look into a different time. It is close to the most important areas in south Delhi, making it an easy place to stop on the go. The park's unique construction will keep you interested the whole time.

Mehrauli is one of the seven ancient towns that make up the state of Delhi today. The archaeological park here shows how rich our history is. The ruins here are almost fifty years older than those in Old Delhi. The archaeological park is one of the best places to visit in Delhi. 

Who built Mehrauli Archaeological Park?

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Qutb complex is less than a kilometre away. Tucked away on 200 acres, this beautiful piece of history includes the ruins of the Lal Kot. The Tomar Rajputs built it in the 11th century A.D. The park is a must-visit during Delhi tour packages.

Architecture 

Because these buildings have been around for about a thousand years, they have some of the most interesting designs.

There are many beautiful examples of the work of artisans, builders, architects, masons, and engineers from the past. These include the Lal Kot, which the Chauhan Rajputs built. It is among the best examples of Indo-Islamic architecture, as well as the Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb. It is thought to be the first Mughal architecture in India.

Structures inside Mehrauli Archaeological Park

•    Lal Kot is a fort city the Tomar Rajputs constructed in 1050 A.D. Later, the Chauhan Rajputs fixed it up after they took back control of Delhi. Now, it is in ruins and is found in the Qutb complex, close to Saket and Vasant Kunj.

•    Balban's Tomb is an important historical and architectural building in India. It shows important changes in Indo-Islamic architecture, being the first place where the 'arch' was seen.

•    Rajon Ki Baoli's step well is an old building with a fancy design. It has even walls with arches, a rectangular well, and detailed stonework.

•    The 17th-century tomb of Shah Quli Khan is an octagonal building with a large white dome. They constructed it entirely from red and grey sandstone.

•    The Jamali Kamali Masjid and Tomb is a pre-Mughal building constructed in the 1520s with a mosque for Shaikh Jamali Kamboh. Along with it stands a tomb from the 16th century for Kamali and Adham Khan's grave below the central dome.

The best time to visit 

The park area is open during the daytime. The ideal time for a visit is from sunrise at 6:00 AM to sunset at 6:00 PM. Qutub complex is located nearby, with over 100 buildings within the park area. Coming here early, one could get to see much more than one had anticipated.