NatGeo Moment Awards, Instawalk @ Mehrauli, 1mar14
One of the lesser known sites of Delhi, this 100 acres green land has 70 odd monuments scattered around. The reason why Mehrauli Archaeological Park fascinates history lovers is because of its wild, un-kept look interspersed with monuments dating back from the first fortified capital, Lal Kot up till British period. The first monument we covered on this heritage walk was built by one of the powerful ‘slave kings’, Sultan Balban. (more…)
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.
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 11th and 12th centuries and towards the end of the 12th 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)