Historic places in Delhi
180 historic buildings, sites and memorials in Delhi.
Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 180.
Historic places in Delhi
SeeHistoric siteSouth EastHumayun's Tomb
Hindi: हुमायूँ का मक़बरा Humāyūn kā Maqbarā; Urdu: ہمایوں کا مقبرہ Humāyūn kā Maqbarā
is one of Delhi's three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. - The tomb is in large, immaculately maintained gardens in the Persian Char Bagh (four corners) style that were thoroughly renovated in 2003 with the Aga Khan's help and are probably the best in Delhi. As you pass through the first gate, you will glimpse the dome of the tomb and enter a floral path leading to the second (West) gate, which now acts as the entrance to the giant central garden. - The centrepiece is the eponymous tomb of Humayun, the second Mughal emperor. Built starting in 1562, it was the first major Mughal structure in the city and has been described as a predecessor or prototype of the Taj Mahal. The structures are, indeed, stylistically similar, although Humayun's Tomb is built from red sandstone, not white marble, and was built by a wife grieving for her husband, not the other way around. You can climb up to the second level (the stairs on the west side are very steep, those on the south side less so), and on the south side you will find the entrance into the main crypt where Humayun is buried. Before you leave, be sure to visit the South Gate, the original royal entrance, from where you can get picture-postcard views without too many tourists in the way.
daily from sunrise to sunset₹ 40/600, Indians/foreigners · Built 1570 · Heritage listed
SeeAttractionOld DelhiJama Masjid
जामा मस्जिद Jāmā Masjid
The largest mosque in India and a must-see while in Delhi. Beware of dishonest guides who will try to convince you that a tour guide is mandatory and is included in the ₹200 camera fee; they will give you an extremely hurried "tour" of the mosque and then demand a further payment of ₹200-300 for the tour. You can climb to the top of the minaret for ₹100 (locals maybe ₹20). The climb is steep, dark and somewhat claustrophobic, but you'll get great views over the complex and the city. You'll need to cover up your shoulders and legs (scarves and lungis available for rental - about ₹10), and take off your shoes (expect to tip the shoe minder, ₹5 is plenty, or carry your shoes with you in your own bag). Pictures should not be taken during prayer hours. If you're going to sit down don't look too comfortable. Certainly don't eat or become too engrossed in any reading material you may be carrying, the rule is that non-Muslims must make their visits brief and guards will usher along visitors who linger.
7AM-sunset, tourists are not allowed in from 12:15PM-1:45PM or in the half-hour before sunset.Entry is officially free, although if you have a camera with you (even if deep in your bag) the aggressive "guards" will not let you go in without paying the ₹300 fee (this includes the ₹100 minar climb), and this includes camera phones. If you just walk in they will grab you and "carry" you out
SeeAttractionOld DelhiRed Fort
लाल क़िला Lāl Qilā
One of Delhi's top tourist sights and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A brilliant red sandstone fort was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (who also built the Taj Mahal) as his ruling palace. Completed in 1648, the years since have not treated the buildings kindly: the rooms have long since been stripped of all objects, the marble inlays are long gone and quite a few buildings are off-limits. Still, the scale remains imposing and the gardens are kept lush and green even in midwinter.
Wheelchair accessible
SeeMonumentOld DelhiRaj Ghat
Royal Platform
The memorial to Mahatma Gandhi at the site of his cremation. Check for closure dates/security checks around national holidays/Gandhi's death anniversary.
9:30AM-5:30PM
.jpg?width=240 "Photo: Rajiv Gandhi meeting Russian Hare Krishna devotees in New Delhi 1989.jpg :…, CC BY-SA 3.0")
SeeMonumentOld DelhiVeer Bhumi
Brave Land
The memorial to Rajiv Gandhi, the sixth Prime Minister of India.
SeeMonumentOld DelhiShantivan
Peace Garden
The memorial to Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.
SeeMonumentSouth EastKhan-i-Khana's Tomb
This is a tomb built by Khan-i-Khana in 1598 after his wife's death. He was later buried here in 1627. Khan-i-Khana was a great composer during Akbar's time and belonged to his Navaratna or nine gems. The motif is similar to that of the Humayun's tomb.
.JPG?width=240 "Photo: Rahul noida, CC BY-SA 3.0")
SeeHistoric siteOld DelhiKashmere Gate
कश्मीरी गेट Kashmīrī Geṭ
The Kashmir-facing gate, and a site of a fierce battle during the 1857 rebellion. A sandstone memorial plaque mentions the names of the British Army soldiers (British and Indians) who died at the Kashmere Gate area during the recapture of Delhi by the British. The architecture consists of two arched passageways. The passageways are separated by two recessed arch one below the other. Both sides of the passageways have similar recesses arches.
SeeHistoric siteSouth EastPurana Qila
पुराना क़िला Purānā Qilā, Old Fort
The walled citadel of Mughal Emperor Humayun. It was later turned into an urban village before becoming a monument. Ruins of the 16th-century city of Shergarh, this complex sits on top of what is believed to be the site of Indraprastha, the capital of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata epic. The citadel contains several structures which include 3 gateways. Apart from that the complex contain a pavilion, a mosque along with a hammam and step well
Closed · opens 9 am₹5 for Indians, ₹100 for foreigners · Wheelchair accessible
SeeMemorialSouth EastGhalib Museum
गालिब संग्रहालय
This is a museum on the life and times of the 18th-century Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib. On the third floor of the Ghalib Academy building. Also, there is an art gallery where paintings made by famous & eminent artists are on display.
Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM
SeeRuinsSouthHauz Khas Fort
Hauz Khas Complex in Hauz Khas, South Delhi, India, houses a water tank, an Islamic seminary, a mosque, a tomb, and pavilions built around an urbanized village with a medieval history traced to the 13th century of Delhi Sultanate reign. It was part of Siri, the second medieval city of India of the Delhi Sultanate of Alauddin Khalji Dynasty (1296–1316). The large water tank or reservoir was first built by Allauddin Khilji (the plaque displayed at the site records this fact) to supply water to the inhabitants of Siri.
Closed · opens 10:30 amEntry 20 INR
SeeArchaeological siteSouth EastIsa Khan's Tomb
As you enter the Humayun's Tomb Complex, the first major structure on your right is the bulbous, octagonal tomb of Isa Khan, a court noble who built it in his own lifetime, some 20 years before Humayun's Tomb.
SeeHistoric siteOld DelhiSalimgarh Fort
A fort built in 1546 by Salim Shah Suri, the son of Sher Shah Suri. At the time, the Mughal Empire had been temporarily overthrown, as Sher Shah Suri defeated Mughal emperor Humayun and established the rule of the Sur Empire rule in Delhi. The Surid dynasty continued until 1555, when Humayun regained control by defeating Sikandar Suri, the last ruler of the dynasty.
SeeHistoric siteOld DelhiKhooni Darwaza
Bloody Gate
It is here in this gate that Major William Hodson shot dead the last Mughal ruler Bahadur Shah Zafar's sons Mirza Mughal and Mirza Khizr Sultan as well as grandson Mirza Abu Bakr after the defeat in Revolt of 1857. The gate served as an execution chamber under Sher Shah. The severed heads of those executed were put on display in this gate. Here Jahangir ordered the killing of two sons of Rahim Khan-I-Khana who was a Navaratna in Akbar's court. The gate was part of a defensive mechanism set up by Sher Shah and was known as Kabuli Gate, as it faced the city of Kabul now in Afghanistan. But because of its bloody incidence it came to be known as the Khooni Darwaza. The 15.5 meter double storied structure is made of Delhi quartzite stone and is topped with battlements. The windows and the archways have red sandstone ornamentation. There are three different sets of stairways leading to different levels of the gateway, but these are kept under lock & key.
.JPG?width=240 "Photo: Farzan Kermaninejad ( بحث ), Public domain")
SeeMonumentSouth EastHazrat Nizamuddin Dargah
A mausoleum of the Sufi saint Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya. Considered the nerve centre of Sufi culture in India, the dargah is visited by thousands of pilgrims every week. The site is also known for its evening qawwali devotional music sessions. The descendants of Nizamuddin Auliya look after the whole management of the dargah.
SeeHistoric siteOld DelhiDelhi Gate
The southern gate that now acts as the entrance to Old Delhi from New Delhi.
SeeMonumentSouth EastSabz Burj
सब्ज़ बुर्ज
Though it literally means "green dome", its dome is nowhere green in colour. The dome is blue, and the tower is believed to be built between 1530 and 1535. The tower is an influence of Central Asian architecture. There are blue and yellow tiles on the drum. Moreover, it was used as a police station during British rule.
.jpg?width=240 "Photo: Dennis G. Jarvis, CC BY-SA 2.0")
SeeAttractionOld DelhiDiwan-i-Am
Hall of Public Audience
This building separates the outer court from the inner court and has a marble platform for the emperor's throne.
Wheelchair accessible
SeeArchaeological siteSouth EastNila Gumbad
नीला गुंबद Nīlā Gumbad
The octagonal tomb is crowned with a huge dome, covered with dark blue tiles.
SeeMonumentOld DelhiDiwan-i-Khas
Hall of Private Audience
Built completely of marble, this is where the emperor received special visitors.
SeeMonumentOld DelhiMumtaz Mahal
मुमताज़ महल / ممتاز محل Mumtāz Mahal, Jewel Palace
Contained six apartments for emperor's harem. Now used as a museum of court textiles, carpets, weapons, etc.
SeeAttractionSouthChor Minar
It is a minaret built by Alauddin Khilji in the 13th century. Here the decapitated heads of chors, or thieves, were displayed through its 225 holes.
SeeCastleNorthQudsia Bagh
Qudsia Bagh was constructed by Qudsia Begum. wife of Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah and mother of Mughal emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur. She was born as a Hindu and her initial name was Udham Bai. She was a dancing girl in the court of Muhammad Shah, who later married her as his third wife. After Muhammad Shah's death in 1748, her son Ahmad Shah Bahadur (1725–1775) became emperor. As a widow, she took the title Qudsia Begum. She constructed the Qudsia Bagh in 1748. Formerly a splendid palace, has now much dilapidated and neglected.Large part of it was destroyed during the Revolt of 1857. Today the entrance gate, the Sahi (Royal) Mosque and remains of the stables are all that is left of the spectacular Mughal gardens.
SeeSouth EastTughlakabad Fort
Massive fortress built by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq in the 14th century and was the third city of Delhi. The monstrous ruins of this complex are now overrun by hordes of Langur monkeys. The mausoleum of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq is opposite the fort.
SeeMonumentSouth EastChausath Khamba
Built by Mirza Aziz Kota, a foster brother of Akbar and an important noble during the time of Jahangir, this building has the tomb of Aziz Kota. The meaning of it is 64 pillars that support the structure. It also has other unidentified tombs.
Free
- SeeMonumentOld Delhi
Shakti Sthal
Place of Strength
The memorial to Indira Gandhi, the third Prime Minister of India. The site is marked by a large monolithic rock of iron ore, symbolizing the epithet "Iron Lady of India". The rock was sourced from one of the Sundergarh mines of Odisha.
SeeMonumentSouth EastSher Mandal
The two-storey library inside Purana Qila. It is in this library that Mughal Emperor Humayun fell from stairs and died.
SeeHistoric siteOld DelhiFeroz Shah Kotla
Feroz Shah Kotla is the fifth citadel of Delhi and was built by Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1354. The previous citadels of Delhi were abandoned due to lack of water, so Feroz Shah Kotla was built right next to the Yamuna River. Today the ruins of Feroz Shah Kotla lie nestled between the cricket stadium, of the same name, and the Ring Road. The ruins of the Feroze Shah Kotla are said to be the abode of friendly djinns (spirit) and every Thursday hordes of devotees, irrespective of religion, visit the ruins of Feroz Shah Kotla with photocopies of letters, citing their problems. They stick the letters on different strategic spots of the citadel and offer prayers to the Djinns. Feroz Shah Kotla still houses several interesting ruins. Although minimalist in nature, they still reveal the former glory and splendor of the ancient citadel. The ruins of the citadel are scattered over a large area and consist of a handful of prominent structures like the Hawa Mahal, Jami Masjid and Circular Stepwell.
Sunrise - Sunset
SeeCastleSouthSiri Fort
Ruined fort of Alauddin Khalji, built to defend the city from the onslaught of the Mongols.
SeeMonumentNorthMutiny Memorial
Ajitgarh
After the Mutiny of 1857 several memorials were erected all over the subcontinent in memory of the Britishers and Indian soldiers who fought for the British. The Mutiny Memorial at North Ridge (Kamala Nehru Ridge) Delhi was the most prominent of the mutiny memorials of the sub continent. The 1863 built Mutiny memorial is an octagonal tapering red sandstone tower built in Gothic style. It has a richly ornamented faced and is crowned with a marble crucifix. The four tiered tower rests on a two tiered platform. The total height of the tower in 33 meters. The flights of stairs from four sides of the platform lead to the base of the tower. The entry of the tower is through a gate on the western side and a flight of spiral stairs leads to the balconies of the four tiers. Sadly entry inside the tower is restricted for tourist. Apart from the gate the remaining seven sides contains marble plaques embedded inside decorated sandstone archways. Each side has a total of three plaque one large and two smaller ones at the bottom. Three of the bigger plaque narrates the incident in English, Hindi and Urdu. Among the remaining four plaques one lists the regiments present during the siege of Delhi while the second one lists actions fought at or near Delhi. The remaining two plaques list the KILLED, WOUNDED and MISSING soldiers of the mutiny, which is again sub divide into sub categories like Europeans & Natives and Officers & Non Commissioned Officers. On 15 August 1972 the Delhi’s Mutiny Memorial was renamed Ajitgarh (Place of the Unvanquished) and a plaque was put at its pedestal. Written in four languages Hindi, Urdu, English and Punjabi. It says that the “enemies” mentioned in the inscription were actually the freedom fighters and martyrs of India, who fought bravely against the repressive colonial rule in the First War of Indian Independence.
SeeSouthJahanpanah
The fourth medieval city of Delhi, established in 1326–1327 by Muhammad bin Tughlaq. The area consists of Adilabad Fort, Begampur Mosque, Bijay Mandal, Serai Shaji Mahal and so on.
SeeMonumentOld DelhiKhas Mahal
Private Palace
The emperor's main residence. The octagonal Mussaman Burj tower looks out toward the Yamuna River and is where the Emperor used to appear before the public each morning.
SeeWestSulabh International Museum of Toilets
A rather unusual museum dedicated to the global history of sanitation and toilets. The objective in establishing this museum was to highlight the need to address the problems of the sanitation sector in India.
SeeSouthTomb of Adham Khan
Hindi: आधम ख़ान का मक़बरा Ādham Khān kā Maqbarā, Urdu: ادھم خان کا مزار Ādham Khān kā Maqbarā; Bhool Bhulaiyya
This is the tomb of Adham Khan who was the son of Akbar's wet nurse Maham Anga. After Adham Khan killed Atagha Khan, a general in Akbar's army, he killed Adham Khan by dropping him from the top of Agra Fort. After this his mother was depressed and Akbar built this tomb.
- BuyMarketOld Delhi
Khari Baoli
Naya Bazaar
Walking away from the Red Fort through Chandni Chowk will lead you here, the primary spice market in Old Delhi where most restaurants shop. Great place to buy individual spices (especially cardamom in bulk), masala chai mixes, and various masala mixes for vegetables, meat, fish, meat, chicken, and rice. Afghan Store (lot# 6553). Reputed to be the largest outdoor, pedestrianized shopping area in Delhi. Huge bargains on all sorts of Western and Indian wear. You can also get many reputed Western brands as export surplus if you are lucky. It is also a great market for fresh fruits, vegetables and household goods.
SeeHistoric siteOld DelhiGhalib ki Haveli
ग़ालिब की हवेली Ġālib kī Havelī
The residence of the 19th-century Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib, now converted into a museum. It consists of artefacts related to the poet and his times, as well as his various hand-written poems besides his books. The museum also houses a life-size replica of the poet in a realistic setting with a hookah in his hand. Portraits of Ustaad Zauq, Abu Zafar, Momin, and other noted contemporaries of Ghalib can also be seen. The building itself is an example of Delhi's Mughal architecture.
SeeSouthQila Rai Pithora
Lal Kot
Founded in perhaps the 11th century as a city named "Lal Kot" under Hindu rule, in the current Mehrauli area. In around 1180, Hindu ruler Prithviraj Chauhan expanded this city and renamed it Qila Rai Pithora. Some of the ruins of the fort ramparts from this period are still visible around Qutb Minar and Mehrauli.
SeeSouthYogmaya Temple
Jogmaya temple
This ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Yogmaya, the sister of Krishna. Built in early 19th century and is a descendant of a much older Devi shrine. Adjacent to the temple lies, a water body, known as 'Anangtal', after King Anangpal, and covered by trees from all sides.
SeeMonumentSouthBegumpur Mosque
The Begumpur Mosque or Begumpur Masjid, also known as the Jam'i Masjid of Jahanpanah, is a former Friday mosque, now in partial ruins, located in an urban village called Begumpur, which now bears its modern name, Jahanpanah. The former mosque was built in the centre of the sultanate capital of the Tughluq dynasty, in c. 1343 CE. The former mosque is large, measuring 94 by 90 metres (307 by 295 ft). The former mosque is a Monument of National Importance, administered by the Archaeological Survey of India in order to restore the monument.
SeeHistoric siteOld DelhiAjmeri Gate
The southwestern gate built in 1644 with high arched openings, and one of the battlefields of the 1857 rebellion. The road through this gate leads to Ajmer in Rajasthan, hence the name. A lovely park surrounds the gate.
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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Delhi (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps. Some descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).