Delhi : Tomb of Khan Shahid in Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Monday, August 24, 2015

Tomb of Khan Shahid is located in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park which is near the Qutub Complex, it is located on the Sri Aurobindo Marg and the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar.

Entrance to the Tomb of Khan Shahid

Tomb of Khan Shahid

Khan Shahid was the son of Sultan Balban. He died while fighting the Mughals in 1285 AD.

Structure in Tomb premises

The entrance to the tomb premises is via this elevated platfrom. A series of steps leads to the entrance. By the looks of it, it was a rectangular structure, designed like a fort's wall. It houses the tomb of Khan Shahid and also a couple of other structures. As there is no sighboard, not sure as to what the other structures were. 

History of Tomb of Khan Shahid

The Tomb premises is deserted and completely in ruins. It has vegetation growing all over it. 

Structures in Tomb of Khan Shahid premises

It is said that this tomb was built for him, but he was buried in Balban's Tomb.

Delhi : Ruined Homes near Balban's Tomb in Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Ruined Homes near Balban's Tomb is located in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park which is near the Qutub Complex, it is located on the Sri Aurobindo Marg and the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar.

Balban Tomb

Ruined Homes near Balban's Tomb

Ruined Homes near Balban's Tomb 

Ruined Homes near Balban's Tomb

Ruined Homes near Balban's Tomb

Ruined Homes near Balban's Tomb

A couple of structures stand near the Tomb of Balban. All the structures are in ruins now. These were all built of stone. When I took a closer look at the stones, I understood that they have been reworked upon. None of them have roofs, some have just the walls covered with vegetation. In its hay days, these might have been used by the locals to stay. 

Delhi : Balban's Tomb in Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Balban's Tomb is located in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park which is near the Qutub Complex, it is located on the Sri Aurobindo Marg and the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar.

Entrance to Balban's Tomb

History of Balban's Tomb

Ghiyas-ud-din Balban was the Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate. He was a reigned during the Mamluk Dynasty aka Slave Dynasty between 1266 AD and 1287 AD. He was born in the year 1206 AD.

Balban's Tomb premises

Balban's Tomb

Ghiyas-ud-din Balban was a fierce and strict administrator. He would not spare people who committed crimes, disobeyed laws. 

History of Balban's Tomb

After the demise of Ghiyas-ud-din Balban in 1287 AD, he was buried with royal honour at Mehrauli. The tomb and its premises are in ruins now. The tomb is open to the sky. 

Delhi : Mughul Tomb in Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Mughul Tomb is located in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park which is near the Qutub Complex, it is located on the Sri Aurobindo Marg and the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar. 

Writeup on Mughul Tomb 

It is said that, it was built in the 18th century. Not sure who was buried here. 

Mughul Tomb

The tomb is square shaped with a dome atop it. The tomb premises it not maintained at all. There is no way to enter the tomb premises as the entire monument is caved in. It has vegetation growing all around it. 

Delhi : British Agent Sir Thomas Metcalfe's Canopy

Monday, August 17, 2015

British Agent Sir Thomas Metcalfe's Canopy is located in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, which is located near Qutub Complex on the Sri Aurobindo Marg, the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar. 

Information on Metcalfe's Canopy

It is located near the Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb.

Metcalfe's Canopy

The Canopy aka Chatri is located atop a small hillock and offers a wonderful view of the Jamali Kamali Mosque and the Qutub Minar in a distance. The stone made Canopy is supported by six pillars which are sculptured. 

Qutub Minar from Metcalfe's Canopy

It felt good to rest here after walking for hour's in the hot sun. As it is on a height, feel refreshed with cool breeze. Not sure why it was placed here, in the middle of nowhere.

Jamali Kamali Mosque from Metcalfe's Canopy

We then headed over to see Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb.

Delhi : Enclosed Tomb in Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Thursday, August 13, 2015

 Enclosed Tomb is located in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, which is located near Qutub Complex on the Sri Aurobindo Marg, the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar. 

About the Enclosed Tomb

Enclosed Tomb

Remains of the Enclosed Tomb

There are many small monuments in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, the best way to explore them is on foot. Though most of them are surrounded by bushes and wild growth, which sometimes makes it difficult to visit them. As these monuments are deserted it is advisable to go with friends for company. 

Not much information is available about the history of this monument apart from the signboard located near it. Looking at the monument it appears that restoration work has been done on the monument. 

Delhi : Arched Building in Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Arched Building is located in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, which is located near Qutub Complex on the Sri Aurobindo Marg, the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar. 

Arched Building

There are many small monuments in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, the best way to explore them is on foot. Though most of them are surrounded by bushes and wild growth, which sometimes makes it difficult to visit them. As these monuments are deserted it is advisable to go with friends for company. 

Not much information is available about the history of this monument apart from the signboard located near it. 

Arched Building

The monument in the first photo is totally in ruins, the stone used for the construction is scattered around it with wild growth around it for company. 

The arched doors in the second photo have been worked on and restored. The wild growth around it needs to be removed. This reminded me of the arched fort walls of Vasai Fort. Though the roof atop it is missing, but the walls have small square shaped openings on the inside, maybe it was used to hold the roof. 

Delhi : Gumti in Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Friday, August 7, 2015

Gumti is located in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, which is located near Qutub Complex on the Sri Aurobindo Marg, the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar. 

Information on Gumti

Gumti

There are many small monuments in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, the best way to explore them is on foot. Though most of them are surrounded by bushes and wild growth, which sometimes makes it difficult to visit them. As these monuments are deserted it is advisable to go with friends for company. 

Not much information is available about the history of this monument apart from the signboard located near it. 

Certain portions of the monument are in ruins, ASI should start the restoration work on this monument.  

Delhi : Gandhak ki Baoli in Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Gandhak ki Baoli is located in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, which is located near Qutub Complex on the Sri Aurobindo Marg, the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar. 

Gandhak ki Baoli can be reached by walking on the muddy path within the Mehrauli Archaeological Park premises. 

There are two Baoli or step well's in the Park premises. This step cut well was called Gandhak ki Baoli, because the water in it smelled of Sulphur. 

Gandhak ki Baoli

The rains in India, has always been uncertain and hence the need to conserve water, has always been the priority on the list of most of the people in  the country. Hence we have plenty of wells throughout the county apart from the lake and rivers for water supply. 

Gandhak ki Baoli was constructed by Emperor Iltutmish. 

It is a rock cut step well, it is four to five levels deep in the ground. The area around it was grilled and the entry point sealed with lock, we couldn't enter Baoli premises. The well was filled with water but not suitable for drinking purposes. In comparison to Rajon ki Baoli the construction of this stepwell is very simple.  

There is a step cut well in Tughlakabad fort premises.

Delhi : Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in Qutub Complex

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque is located in the Qutub Complex, which is located near the Mehrauli Archaeological Park on the Sri Aurobindo Marg, the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar.

View of Qutub Minar from Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque aka Qutub Mosque was the first Mosque in Delhi. It was built by Qutb-ud-din-Aibak. He was the founder of the Mamluk or Slave Dynasty. 

The construction of the Mosque started in 1193 AD. It was built alongside the Qutub Minar. 

Beautifully Carved pillars of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

The Mosque was constructed after the destruction of the 27 Hindu and Jain Temples that stood there during the reign of the Tomars and Prithvi Raj Chauhan. Not sure as to what sadistic pleasure it gave them to destroy one monument to built another. As King's they should have enough money to built a monument from scratch.

Ashok's Pillar from Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

The way the structure is constructed is very similar to Bharatmata Temple in Daulatabad Fort. The pillars of the Mosque are beautifully carved.The details are worth taking note off. 

Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

Though the Mosque was constructed by Qutb-ud-din-Aibak, it was re modified by him and also Iltutmish. Later changes were made by Alauddin Khilji. The Mosque are completely in ruins now. 

The Iron Pillar is erected within the Mosque premises. 

We later went to see the tomb of Ittutmish. 

Delhi : Qutub Complex

Thursday, July 9, 2015

The Qutub Complex, which is located near the Mehrauli Archaeological Park on the Sri Aurobindo Marg, the closest Metro station being Qutub Minar.

The entry fee is Rs.10 for locals and Rs.250 for foreigners. The Complex is open from Sunrise to Sunset. But get ready to meet crowd anytime of the day. 

Qutub Complex is far more popular than the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, which is located right next to it. 

Monuments in Qutub Complex premises. Each monument has a fascinating history behind it. Please contact Rohan on 9891650606 in regards to detailed history of each of the monuments mentioned below and other historical structures in and around Delhi.

• Qutub Minar
• Alai Darwaza
• Imam Zamin's Tomb
• Iron Pillar
• Alai Minar
• Ala-ud-din Khilji's tomb and madrasa
• Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque
• Tomb of Sultan Iltutmish
• Smith's Cupola
• Sanderson's Sundial
• Ziggurat one off Metcalfe's Folly 

It is worth mentioning that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has done a wonderful job in regards to upkeeping of the Qutub complex. Hope they do it to other historical structures in India.

Other historic sites in and around Delhi are Sunder Nursery, Humayun Tomb Complex, Mehrauli Archaeological Park and 
Qutub Complex. A must for history lovers.