Mehrauli Archaeological Park is one of the most interesting trails in Delhi. The route covers an archaeological site, the tomb of Sultan Balban, Jamali Kamali mosque & tomb, Thomas Metcalfe’s estate called Dilkusha (which consisted of a boathouse, Metcalfe’s follies, Mohd Quli Khan’s tomb converted into a residence) and a step well by the name Rajon ki Baoli. The walk was conducted by Kanika Singh & Kavita Singh, team members, Delhi Heritage Walks.

The Mehrauli Archaeological Park is a part of the Aravallis bits of which is landscaped & maintained by Delhi Development Authority.  Mehrauli being the oldest continuously inhabited area of Delhi has a long and fascinating history. This is where the first cities of Delhi came up. There are remains of Rajputs’ cities to monuments built by Delhi Sultans & then the Mughals. British could resist the temptation of compete with the Sultans of Delhi either. (more…)

This Sunday, a cloudy but pleasant winter morning, our heritage walk was organized at Mehrauli Archaeological Park.  The Park has around 70 odd monuments, scattered around one of the oldest inhabited areas of Delhi, Mehrauli.  History of Mehrauli is many layered & covers a long time span. It was first ruled by a couple of Rajput rulers in 11^th and 12^th centuries and towards the end of the 12^th century, these were defeated by Turks from central Asia. The victors set up a dynasty which came to be called ‘slave’ kings. And then this area saw settlements throughout the ‘medieval’ period of Indian history & is now an urban village. (more…)

This is without doubt, one of the best places to see in Delhi. A heritage walk here combined history with the sense of adventure & exploration. Our heritage walk in Mehrauli Archaeological Park covers Balban’s tomb, a site of archaeological excavation, ruins of a late Mughal residential settlement, Jamali Kamali mosque & tomb, Rajon ki Baoli (a Lodi period stepwell) & Dilkusha, or Thomas Metcalfe’s estate. The last comprises of altered landscape & modified ruins including Metcalfe’s folly, Mohammad Quli Khan’s tomb & a dovecot converted into a boathouse.

(posted by Kanika Singh & Kavita Singh, team members, Delhi Heritage Walks)

It was a chilly and foggy winter morning, but a good time to explore the mysteries of Mehrauli Archaeological Park. The Park has scattered monuments surrounded by thick vegetation. Right from the Tomar Rajput dynasty till now, Mehrauli has been the ‘same’ with its vegetation and numerous monuments from almost the all dynasties who ruled Delhi. (more…)