Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Tomb of Quli Khan, overlooking the Qutub Minar.

Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb complex built in 1528-1529 CE, in Mehrauli Archaeological Park.

Mehrauli Archaeological Park is an archaeological area spread over 200 acre in Mehrauli, Delhi, adjacent to Qutub Minar World Heritage site and the Qutb complex. It consists of over 100 historically significant monuments. This includes Lal Kot built by Tomar Rajputs in in 1060 CE, the ruins of the oldest remaining fort of Delhi, and the area is only area in Delhi known for 1,000 years of continuous years of occupation, with architectural relics of rule of Khalji dynasty, Tughlaq dynasty, Lodhi dynasty Mughal Empire, and the British Raj.

Overview

The park contains sites like Tomb of Balban, Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb of Maulana Jamali Kamali (Jamali Kamboh), built 1526 - 1535 CE, Quli Khan's Tomb, Gandhak ki Baoli, Rajon Ki Baoli, a stepwell, and Madhi Masjid. Other near by monuments Jahaz Mahal, Zafar Mahal of Bahadur Shah II alias Lal Mahal, Hauz-i-Shamsi and Tomb of Adham Khan.

Redevelopment and conservation

The redevelopment of the area as an archaeological park started in 1997, in collaboration between Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), the State Department of Archaeology, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), which first started systematic documentation of structures in the area and also started conducting heritage walks since 2000.

Over the years, INTACH has restored some 40 monuments in the Park and added signages, heritage trails, and sandstone trail-markers.

Notable monuments and structures

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  The bastion of Lal Kot fort, Mehrauli.
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  Balban's tomb, Mehrauli, ca 1287 CE
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  Tomb of Khan Shahid, Balban's son, Mehrauli.
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  Entrance to Tomb of Khan Shahid, son of Balban
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  Rajon Ki Baoli, a stepwell built by Daulat Khan during the reign of Sikandar Lodi in 1516.
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  Steps of Rajon Ki Baoli
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  Walled mosque adjacent to the Baoli
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  Gandhak ki Baoli, another stepwell beyond Rajon Ki Baoli.
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  Tomb and wall mosque in Mehrauli Archaeological Park.
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  Bagichi Ki Masjid, Mehrauli.
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  British Agent, Sir Thomas Metcalfe's Guest House at Dilkusha close to Quli Khan's tomb.
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  Pavilion tomb and grave platform, Mehrauli Archaeological Park.
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  Tomb in Mehrauli Archaeological Park.
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  Ruined homes near Balban's tomb

See also

• Qutb complex
• History of Delhi
• List of Monuments of National Importance in Delhi

References

• Mehrauli Archaeological Park Conservation INTACH

External links

• Hertitage Walks: Mehrauli Archaeological Park at INTACH
• "In Mehrauli park, where history lies waiting". Indian EXpress. Dec 17 2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

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