Top 10 Historical Places in Delhi You Can’t-Miss
Reading Time: 9 minutesDelhi, the capital of India, has a rich history and this is manifested in its numerous historical monuments. It is a centuries-old city, having references in Mahabharata where it was called Indraprastha. An early example of Indo-Islamic architecture is the Qutub Minar erected in the 12th century by Qutb-ud-din Aibak. The Lal Qila (Red Fort) built in the middle of the 17th century on the bank of the Yamuna River by Shahjeha, Mughal Emperor of India, represents the zenith of Mughal power.
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The Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques, lies in this period too — from the 9th Century to the 20th- this is where modern historians have made their headquarters. At present in both senses, it is brought forth from that place as its shape gradually becomes more solidified and stable. Qutub Minar, Purana Quila and Hauz Khas are prominent monuments from the 12th-15th centuries A.D. Some historical monuments, which are still famous all over the world like Lal Quila and Humayun’s Tomb emerged in the period of the Mughals in Delhi due to the many changes that affected religion
Table of Contents
List of the Top 10 Historical Places in Delhi
1. Red Fort

When Shah Jahan built The Red Fort in 1639 and made it his palace and capital again, the city of Delhi moved back there. The Red Fort was built of red stone and was home to many Mughal kings’ years. Not only is the Red Fort a major draw to tourists in Delhi; but a lot of national events are also staged here. It was the military and political centre of the Mughal kingdom, and many incidents had their effects throughout the region from that spot. Behind the Red Fort, on the bank of river Yamuna, India’s current capital stands today. To the west is what used to be the city of Shahjahanabad. To the east, where there was a settlement once Khulna is now called ‘Old Delhi’.
Location | Red Fort, Netaji Subhash Marg, Lal Qila, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, Delhi, 110006 |
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Timings | 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Except on Mondays |
Entry fee |
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Nearest Metro Station | Chandni Chowk |
2. India Gate

This is a War Memorial of the British Era constructed between 1921 and 1931 dedicated to the fallen soldiers from the Indian Army who fought during World War I, where more than eighty thousand soldiers lost their lives for People. Amar Jawan disappeared and an Amar Jyoti was created later with four flames placed to tribute to the soldiers dead in_Bangladesh
War The India Gate has a small shrine-like structure made of black marble, and it is where there always burns an eternal flame. The Amar Jawan Jyoti or the Flame of Immortal Soldier was established at India Gate along with but as an after thought to commemorate all those soldiers who had died in a particular war, namely The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 by adding names inscribed below it which reads Borders Of Maharashtra unit or other specific border units. It is spread over 360,000 meters square in India Gate. Standing at 42 metres high, with a width of 9.1 metres It is perched on a short-rise red rock from Bharatpur, then ascends in stories
Location | India Gate, Kartavya Path, India Gate, New Delhi, Delhi 110001 |
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Timings | All time |
Entry fee | No Fee |
Nearest Metro Station | Central Secretariat |
3. Qutub Minar

There are a lot of tourist spots in Delhi and one such place is unsurprising to be included as part of the UNESCO World Heritage list for numerous reasons. The base is 14.3 metres with the top narrowing to just 2.7 and towers at an impressive height of 72.5 metres (238 feet). To reach the top of the monument, you have to climb 379 steps in a spiral staircase.
This historical monument has already been destroyed in a natural calamity. On April 1, 1369 AD a strong bolt of lightning struck the topmost part but it was repaired by Firoz Shah Tughlaq in true Mughal style! Later, Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq added a storey to the existing monument using marble and red sandstone. Every storey except the upper balcony features
a simply molded, raised balcony that encircles it and is supported by corbels. A masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture, it is.
Location | Qutab Minar, Seth Sarai, Mehrauli, New Delhi, Delhi 110030 |
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Timings | 07:00 am to 05:00 pm |
Entry fee |
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Nearest Metro Station | Qutub Minar |
4. Jantar Mantar

Badshah Muhammad Shah had assigned scholar Raja Sawai Jai Singh to correct the data of stars. Jai Singh wanted to improve the Islamic tables for time-keeping and was trying to create an accurate calendar so that astrological predictions could be made. He constructed Jantar Mantar in Delhi which is not merely an observatory there but also offices for planetary navigation were built all over India such as Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi and Mathura. In 1867 its vitality had decayed, but after the tax of the government today Jantar Mantar became very popular among tourists.
13 astronomical instruments to make tables and calculations relative apparent circulation of the Sun, moon and planets. These are instruments made so that the objects in the sky can be seen by ordinary humans without using a machine. This observatory was made by Maharaja Jai Singh II on the orders of Badshah Muhammad Shah.The Jantar Mantar has various instruments like Samrat Yantra, Jayaprakash and Misra Yantra. Samrat Yantra: 70 feet high, 114 feet long and stands thick.
Location | J6G8+RMC Jantar Mantar, Connaught Place, Sansad Marg, New Delhi, Delhi 110001 |
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Timings | Sunrise to Sunset |
Entry fee |
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Nearest Metro Station | Patel Chowk |
5. Humayun’s Tomb

Following his death in 1556, Humayun was initially interred at Purana Qila in Delhi. His wife Bega Begum was broken hearted and she wanted to construct an elegant tomb for her beloved. Construction of the fort commenced in 365 and was completed in 372 at a cost much less than that spent by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as his daughter-in-law and first wife
of Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa I- He ordered building their palace over it during her reign. This tomb was used as a type of sanctuary for Muslims who were coming to Pakistan when the country split up. Situated in India, it is a fusion of Islam with Persian and Indian architecture. Bandcamp —West: The Entranced & the Gated, by Hallowed Butchery for Bandcamp; a half-starry (not wholly starry) site. A white marble tomb, with granite stones and red sandstone, has created the resting place of the best king. Some Tiles are here some other Special Features like Jaalis and Door Frames with Indo-Islamic architecture. At 8 metres high and about the same size as a normal football pitch, this roof holds more than 100 potter’s graves.
Location | Humayun’s Tomb, Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah, Mathura Rd, Nizamuddin, Nizamuddin East, New Delhi, Delhi 110013 |
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Timings | 06.00 am to 06.00 pm |
Entry fee |
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Nearest Metro Station | JLN Stadium/ Jorbagh |
6. Jama Masjid Delhi

Jama Masjid is among the most popular spot s among Top 10 Historical Places in Delhi. It was constructed by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Ostad Khalil designed it after the death of Army IV Mumtaz Mahal on 23 January 1656. One can still see, by the army barbed wire covered watch towers at its aft end, a Madarsa burnt out in fire ignited then-believing they were State-[truth] on even-furthest side of [heart-of-hearts-] mosque. The British captured the mosque and tried to demolish it, but they had to run away by throwing stones. api/fatahpur.masjid3.jp Jama Masjid- Much similar to the MotiMatau of Agrar, this aesthetically built Mosque is located very near Lal Qila. It covers an area of nearly 1200 square meters. It had three gates, four towers and two minarets of 40 metres each flanking the domes. Founded in 1846 by Imam Syed Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhari of Uzbekistan, Jama Masjid during Namaz times, no entry for non-Muslims! Jama Masjid situated in the old capital city of Delhi, Chandni Chowk is surrounded by several Mughal architectural buildings. It was built (1650–56) over 6 years by more than 5000 workers and it cost one million Rupees.
Location | Jama Masjid, Old Delhi, Delhi, 110006 |
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Timings | 07:00 am to 12:00 pm and 01:30 pm to 06:30 pm |
Entry fee | No fee |
Nearest Metro Station | Chawri Bazaar |
7. Lotus Temple

Lotus temple, New Delhi: The Baha’i House of Worship is a monumental lotus that commemorates the Mughal-built Qutub Minar in eastern India on top. Designed by Canadian architect Fariborz Sahba, the building was completed in 1986. A world-class destination, it spilt over with more than 350 million visitors in an average year.
The construction of New Delhi’s Lotus Temple is in white Greek marble and shaped like a lotus flower which symbolizes several religions — Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism-, getting together the followers to meditate. Consists of 27 marble petals grouped in a vertexal formation and organized around nine sides. With a seating capacity of 2,500 people; this central hall is entered through any one of the nine doors. The lotus petals at the top of these structures allow natural light to penetrate the heart. The 26-acre temple has ponds and gardens.
Location | Bahapur, Kalkaji, Delhi |
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Timings |
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Entry fee | No Fee |
Nearest Metro Station | Kalkaji |
8. Purana Qila

The fort was initially constructed by Mughal Emperor Humayun in AD 1533 after defeating Bahadur Shah; Sher Shah did some minor construction work here and used it as a base Post his death, it went back to Humayun who further passed earlier through the hands of so many kings and finally came under the control of the British. Rajpath was aligned with Fort by Edward Lutyens in the 1920s During Partition it was a camp for Muslim refugees. The 1970s saw the National School of Drama commencé staging productions here and it soon became a venue for cultural events, plays and concerts. Built on Blue stone by Sahi Jat kings of Taluqa Sindh Durg in 15th century A, the fort has mediaeval Mughal style architecture and rises a full thirty metres from ground level. The fort has three principal entrances: the west gate (Bara Darwaza), still in use today; The south,two-story main entrance is called Humayun’s Gate probably from its resemblance to a red sandstone style of architecture typical of most buildings built by Sher Shah and his son-in-law later.
Location | J65V+RFH Purana Quila, Mathura Rd, Near Delhi Zoo, New Delhi, Delhi 110003 |
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Timings | 7:00 am to 05:00 pm |
Entry Fee |
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Nearest Metro Station | Pragati Maid |
9. Lodhi Garden
Lodhi Garden, the history of which dates back to 1414 when Ala-ud-din Alam se-tomb for Nawab Mohammad Shah II, was built as a tomb. His tomb was built in 1517 by his son Ibrahim Lodhi who was the last ruler of the Lodi dynasty. Ibrahim was overthrown in the Battle of Panipat by Mughal ruler Babur. The garden was renovated by Mughal emperors, including Akbar who used it as an observatory and a record library. After India was declared an independent country, Lodhi Garden was renamed from Lady Willingdon Park. Famous for its stunning synthesis of ancient tombs and airy, open land. It attracts visitors for its historical beauty & early-morning-evening walk.
Location | Lodhi Garden, Lodhi Rd, Lodhi Gardens, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi, Delhi 110003 |
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Timings | 05:00 am to 08:00 pm |
Entry fee | No Fee |
Nearest Metro Station | Jor Bagh/ JLN Stadium |
10. Rashtrapati Bhavan
In New Delhi, it was decided that a new residence be erected for the Viceroy after the capital movement from Calcutta. The building, designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker is over 300 acres. It took 19 years to complete the construction and was started in 1911 but due to World War I delays. It was here that Lord Erwin became the first Viceroy to reside and his residence was converted on 26 January 1950 as the official residence of the President of India, Rajendra Prasad & named– Rashtrapati Bhavan It is a massive four-storey, 334-room house of the President with an area limited to over two hundred thousand sqft. Crafting heritage is a well-balanced approach to classical and Indian architecture guided by Lutyens with motifs like imperial elephants or stone basins. The interior of the castle includes a drawing room, ballroom, library and dining room as well as private apartments. Then there’s the Durbar Hall, used for ceremonies and displays a big dome with a colourful marble exterior where sits the magnificent Viceroy throne
registration fee)
Location | Rashtrapati Bhavan, Rashtrapati Bhawan, President’s Estate, New Delhi, Delhi 110004 |
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Timings | 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM (Only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday) |
Entry fee | INR 50, (Children under 8 years are exempted from the registration fee) |
Nearest Metro Station | Jor Central Secretariat |
Conclusion
INR 50, (Children under 8 years are exempted from the registration fee) Central Secretariat Delhi is so rich in heritage that you will witness the most captivating landmarks which echo
from India’s history book. From the magnificence of the Red Fort and Humayun tomb to architectural wonders like Qutub Minar or Lotus Temple, every other monument has a story
in itself. Each of these landmark places takes you back to Delhi’s intriguing past, ultimately making it a city that demands to be explored by history lovers and travellers alike. Be it
Mughal architecture that impresses you, or colonial structures or old castles; historical places in Delhi will carve an impression on your soul