Mehrauli in South Delhi is home to the 200-acre Mehrauli Archaeological Park, located right next to the iconic Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of Delhi’s lesser-known heritage areas, the park is rich in history and remains inhabited in contemporary times. It contains over 100 notable monuments, including the ruins of Lal Kot, Delhi’s oldest existing fort, built by the Tomar Rajputs in the 11th century. The park also preserves architectural remnants from the Khalji, Tughlaq, Lodhi, Mughal and British periods.
The Qutub Minar, built in the early 13th century, is one of India’s most celebrated examples of Indo-Islamic architecture. Rising over 72 metres, its red sandstone and marble tower features intricately carved bands of inscriptions and ornamentation. The surrounding Qutub complex also includes the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, Iron Pillar and the unfinished Alai Minar, reflecting Delhi’s rich medieval architectural heritage.