Delhi, the capital city of India has been the centre of power for India for more than a thousand years. Over time, it has become the cultural, historical and architectural capital of India. Delhi made up of 7 districts has seen various kings and rulers in different periods of time. No wonder, Delhi is home to various historical monuments including 3 UNESCO recognized World Heritage sites. Among the oldest historical places in Delhi, the Iron Pillar was erected around the 4th century AD. Qutub Minar, Purana Quila, Hauz Khas were the key monuments between the 12th and 15th century AD. During the Mughal regime, Delhi got some of its most recognized historical monuments including Lal Quila and Humayun's Tomb that changed the landscape of Delhi forever.
Here is the list of 30 Most Famous Historical Places In Delhi
The Red Fort was the official seat of Mughal rule and authority from 1648 onwards, when the 5th Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, decided to move the capital of the empire from Agra to Delhi. Constructed using red sandstone, it remains one of the architectural marvels of the Mughal era. In 2007, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, this monument is home to a number of museums that have an assortment of precious artifacts on display. Every year, the Indian Prime Minister unfurls the national flag here on the Independence Day.
Open Time: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM, Except on Mondays
Time Required: 2-3 hours
Cost: Indian Citizens, citizens of SAARC and BIMSTEC nations: INR 10, Other foreigners: INR 250, No fees for children below the age of 15
Apart from being known for its stunning architecture, this is the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site declared in 1993, and has undergone widespread restoration work since then. The tomb was custom-built by Humayun's son Akbar during 1569-70 and is also the first structure to have made the use of red sandstone at a massive scale.
Open Time: 10:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Cost: Indians - INR 10, Foreigners - INR 250. Video filming - INR 25, Photography - Free
The soaring and brave tower that allures tourists despite being destroyed by ravages of natural apocalypses several times, Qutub Minar is the tallest individual tower in the world and second tallest monument of Delhi. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is located in Mehrauli and its construction was started in 1192 by Qutb Ud-Din-Aibak, founder of Delhi Sultanate. Later, the tower was built by various rulers over the centuries. The sight of this glorious monument takes you back to the rich history of India.
Open Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Cost: Indians: INR 10, Foreign tourists: INR 250
Time Required: 2 to 3 hours
The All India War Memorial, popularly known as the India Gate, is a war memorial located in New Delhi. It is dedicated to the 82,000 soldiers, both Indian and British, who died during the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. The Amar Jawan Jyoti is the burning structure, right underneath the archway, which symbolizes the eternal, immortal soldiers of India.
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan got the Jama Masjid built between 1644 and 1656 on a massive budget. The mosque still has three huge entry gates standing since 1656, when it was completed. The structure is made up of red sandstone and white marble. With a capacity of 25,000 people at one time, the courtyard was built with a great vision. The floor has 899 black markings for worshippers.
Well known in medieval times, the Hauz Khas village has amazing buildings built around the reservoir. There are remnants of Islamic architecture roughly colored by splotches of urban culture. The existing status of the village also retains not only the old charm of the place but has enhanced its aesthetic appeal through the well maintained green parks all around with walkways, and the urbane refurbished upmarket and quirky places of interest that have spruced up the old Mughal surviving structures.
Tughlaqabad Fort is one of the finest specimens of pure Islamic architecture and has the touch of Sultanate sturdiness about its fortifications. The entire premise takes around an hour or two to look around and offer great opportunities for history enthusiasts and shutterbugs.
Located in New Delhi, the Jantar Mantar was one of the five sites built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur. The site consists of 13 architectural astronomy instruments. The main purpose of the observatory was to compile the astronomical tables and to predict the movement and timings of the sun, moon and planets.
Iron Pillar is one of the many mysterious monuments of wonder present in Delhi- the capital of India. Located within the Qutub Minar complex in Mehrauli area of New Delhi, the Iron Pillar has been posing as one of the foremost metallurgical curiosities of the world due to its prowess to not exhibit a speck of rust despite being thousands of years old.
Located adjacent to Humayun's Tomb in the same complex in Nizamuddin area of Delhi, Isa Khan Tomb is the final resting place of Isa Khan- a courtesan for Sher Shah Suri and his son Islam Shah Suri. Built during the lifetime of the namesake Pashtun noble, the construction of the monument resembles the architectural patterns in the building of the Sur reign.
Beside the Qutub Minar, Mehrauli Archaeological Park is spread over an area of 200 acres. It consists of oldest of the works of art and architecture. The small monuments built here belong to Khalji dynasty, Tughlaq dynasty, Lodhi dynasty of Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, and the British Raj. It is renowned for 1000 years of continuous occupation. It consists of over 100 historical monuments.
This is the holy shrine of Muslim Sufi Saint Nizamuddin Chisti. The tombs of many other people from the Mughal era are present in the same area, which surround a tank. The graves of Jahan Ara Begum and Inayat Khan are also present here.
Located within the Qutub Minar complex at Mehrauli in Delhi, Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque (translating to "Might of Islam") was built by the Mamluk ruler Qutub-ud-din Aibak. Yet another feather in the cap of Delhi, the monument is the first mosque to be built in the city after the Islamic conquest of India and is known as a celebration of the Muslim Rule.
Stoically standing in the placid vicinity of Indraprastha, Purana Qila or the Old Fort is a masterpiece of the ancient glory and sterling architecture of the bygone Mughal Empire, and is one of the oldest forts in Delhi. Built on the banks of river Yamuna and spread over a vast 1.5 kms of area, the monument has tons of myths and legends of the medieval era attached to it.
Built in 1754, during the reign of Mughal Emperor- Ahmad Shah Bahadur, the namesake tomb is dedicated to the Prime Minister of the court- Safdarjung. Located in the heart of the city, at the junction of Safdarjung Road and Aurobindo Marg, the monument is a low-key tourist attraction of the city.
Situated at the western end of Chandni Chowk in Delhi, Fatehpuri Masjid is a 17th century mosque named after the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's wife- Fatehpuri Begum. Built in 1650, the mosque is constructed entirely of red stone and boasts of a fluted dome and towering minarets.
Lodhi Garden is a city park located in Delhi. It has great architectural works of 15 century. The construction of the great work took place under the Lodhi reign. You will find the garden between Khan Market and Safdarjung tomb. It has Mohammed Shah's Tomb, Tomb of Sikandar Lodi, Shisha Gumbad and Bara Gumbad. It in an important place of preservation as it has last imprints of Sayyid rulers (Mohammed Shah's Tomb). It has a mixture of architectural work by Sayyidis and Lodhis. Also, into the garden lies the old waterway which connects the Yamuna River to Tomb of Sikandar Lodi. The place is an epitome of magnificent architecture and has echoes of 15th-century history.
Rajpath means The Royal Road which is surrounded by beautiful gardens. It was constructed by Sir Edwin Lutyens who also behind the construction of India Gate. Extending from Rashtrapati Bhawan at Raisina Hill through Vijay Chowk and India Gate to National Stadium, it conducts the annual Republic Day Parade. It has North and South blocks on its either sides.The long lanes have trees running along with them giving it a sleek look.
Once served as the home of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru for 16 years, today, the Teen Murti Bhavan houses various institutions like the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library and the office of Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund. One of the four Nehru Planetariums is also located within the grounds of the house.
This temple was opened back in 1998 and is located at Hare Krishna Hills, in the East of Kailash area of New Delhi, India. A very well-known Lord Krishna temple for inner peace, its followers believe in Srila Prabhupada. As one of the biggest temple complexes in India, it has numerous rooms for priests and service renders. Many halls are used for its administration purposes. It is divided into four broad units.
Situated in the heart of the city in Kashmere Gate area of New Delhi, Nicholson Cemetery (also known as Lothian Cemetery) is an ancient Christian cemetery named after the Brigadier-General John Nicholson, a Victorian era military officer who played a crucial role during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Known for its association with Guru Har Krishan, the eighth Sikh guru, it is one of the most prominent religious as well as tourist places in Delhi. Sikhs are always open at heart hence the doors for the Gurudwara are open 24 hours. It has a 'Sarovar' inside it which is considered to be holy. The complex now has a main pray hall, higher secondary school, a hospital, Baba Baghel Singh Museum and a library. The white and golden constructed Gurudwara is high in spirits.