Fluidr / Mukul Banerjee (www.mukulbanerjee.com)'s "Mehrauli Archaeological Park, New Delhi" set sorted randomly

Tania @ Dilkhusha

A Nikon D300 — 1/2500s ƒ/1.8 ISO 200 at 50 mm

N 0 B 1.2K C 0 E Dec 23, 2012 F Dec 25, 2012

G India > Delhi > South Delhi > New Delhi > Lado Sarai

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The area of Mehrauli is probably the oldest continuously inhabited area of the city. As such it contains the architectural legacy of many centuries. Lal Kot, the first fortification of the city of Delhi, was established by the Tomar Rajputs in the Mehrauli area in AD 1060. The Chauhans extended this by adding the fortifications of Qila Rai Pithora, and after them the Il-Bari Turks continued to rule from this location. Though later capital cities were built at other sites, this area was not abandoned and many important buildings continued to be located here during successive dynasties - the Khaljis, Tughlaqs, Lodis, Mughals, and the British. Over 300 listed buildings of archaeological, architectural and historical significance dot the Mehrauli area with over 100 of these standing in the green belt south of the Qutub World Heritage Site and many more are still to be uncovered. It has buildings from practically each period of Delhi’s history. Some of them are well known such as the historic mosque of Jamali Kamali and the step-well known as Rajon Ki Baoli.

Tags: Medival Mehrauli Mehrauli Archaeological Park Archeology History Historical Historical India India Indian Heritage New Delhi Ancient Architecture INTACH Conservation Restoration Khiljis Alauddin Khilji Tughlaqs Firoz Shah Tughlaq Lodhis Lodhi Mughals Mughal Heritage Site Mosque Stepped Well Baoli Jamali Kamali AD 1060 Balban islamic Islamic Architecture Quli Qutab Shah Qutub Minar Lal Kot Chauhans Dilkusha © Mukul Banerjee Photography

Rajon Ki Baoli, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, New Delhi

N 1 B 2.2K C 0 E Dec 23, 2012 F Dec 25, 2012

G India > Delhi > South Delhi > New Delhi > Lado Sarai

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Rajon Ki Baoli also referred as Rajon ki Bain is a famous stepwell near Adham Khan's Tomb in Mehrauli. This magnificent three-storeyed stepwell is believed to have been built by Daulat Khan during the reign of Sikandar Lodi in 1516. The baoli was used by masons for some time. Hence, it got its name as Rajon Ki Baoli.

The baoli is one of the highlights of Mehrauli Archaeological Park and a favourite with every visitor. Perhaps it is to do with manner in which it is revealed to the eye: the entire structure is subterranean, so as one approaches the entrance, one can only see the top-most storey. And each level of the baoli slowly reveals itself to the visitor as one walks towards its steps. The baoli-complex has a 12-pillared tomb and a mosque with some pretty plaster decoration on it.

The area of Mehrauli is probably the oldest continuously inhabited area of the city. As such it contains the architectural legacy of many centuries. Lal Kot, the first fortification of the city of Delhi, was established by the Tomar Rajputs in the Mehrauli area in AD 1060. The Chauhans extended this by adding the fortifications of Qila Rai Pithora, and after them the Il-Bari Turks continued to rule from this location. Though later capital cities were built at other sites, this area was not abandoned and many important buildings continued to be located here during successive dynasties - the Khaljis, Tughlaqs, Lodis, Mughals, and the British. Over 300 listed buildings of archaeological, architectural and historical significance dot the Mehrauli area with over 100 of these standing in the green belt south of the Qutub World Heritage Site and many more are still to be uncovered. It has buildings from practically each period of Delhi’s history. Some of them are well known such as the historic mosque of Jamali Kamali and the step-well known as Rajon Ki Baoli.

A monument at Mehrauli Archaeological Park, New Delhi

A Nikon D300 — 1/1000s ƒ/2.8 ISO 200 at 24 mm

N 1 B 1.5K C 2 E Dec 23, 2012 F Dec 25, 2012

G India > Delhi > South Delhi > New Delhi > Lado Sarai

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Arches inside Jamali Kamali Mosque, Mehrauli, New Delhi

N 13 B 8.4K C 58 E Dec 23, 2012 F Dec 25, 2012

G India > Delhi > South Delhi > New Delhi > Lado Sarai

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Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb located in the Archeological Village complex in Mehrauli, Delhi, comprise two monuments adjacent to each other, one is the mosque and the other is the tomb of two persons with the names Jamali and Kamali. Jamali (‘Jamali’ in Urdu language originates from 'Jamal' which means “beauty”) was the pseudo name given to Shaikh Fazlu’llah, also known as Shaikh Jamali Kamboh or Jalal Khan, a renowned Sufi Saint who lived during the pre-Mughal dynasty rule of the Lodi’s (Sikander Lodi to the Mughal Dynasty rule of Babur and Humayun), and he was greatly regarded. Kamali was an unknown person but associated with Jamali and his antecedents have not been established. Their names are tagged together as "Jamali Kamali" for the mosque as well as the tomb since they are buried adjacent to each other. The mosque and the tomb building were constructed in 1528-1529 but Jamali was buried in the tomb after his death in 1535

The area of Mehrauli is probably the oldest continuously inhabited area of the city. As such it contains the architectural legacy of many centuries. Lal Kot, the first fortification of the city of Delhi, was established by the Tomar Rajputs in the Mehrauli area in AD 1060. The Chauhans extended this by adding the fortifications of Qila Rai Pithora, and after them the Il-Bari Turks continued to rule from this location. Though later capital cities were built at other sites, this area was not abandoned and many important buildings continued to be located here during successive dynasties - the Khaljis, Tughlaqs, Lodis, Mughals, and the British. Over 300 listed buildings of archaeological, architectural and historical significance dot the Mehrauli area with over 100 of these standing in the green belt south of the Qutub World Heritage Site and many more are still to be uncovered. It has buildings from practically each period of Delhi’s history. Some of them are well known such as the historic mosque of Jamali Kamali and the step-well known as Rajon Ki Baoli.

Interiors of Dilkhusha (Tomb of Muhammad Quli Khan), Mehrauli Archaeological Park, New Delhi

N 1 B 7.2K C 0 E Dec 23, 2012 F Dec 25, 2012

G India > Delhi > South Delhi > New Delhi > Lado Sarai

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Dilkhusha was initially a tomb of Muhammad Quli Khan, brother of Adam Khan, a general and foster brother of Emperor Akbar. The octagonal Mughal tomb built in the 17th century was bought by Metcalfe and remodeled in the style of European residences with extensive gardens and follies for use as a pleasure resort during the monsoon season. He called it the ‘Dilkhusha’ (also see under External link of the album showing two pictures of Dilkusha as it existed when built). It was spread over a sprawling area, which is now enclosed in a specially developed park called the ‘Qutub Archeological Village’. The purpose in building this place was stated to be that Metcalfe wanted to keep a watch on Emperor Bahadur Shah II who also had his Zafar Mahal palace in Mehrauli to spend his summer time.

The complex was a pleasant place with several controlled streamlets of water, which lead to a tank (now called the Metcalfe’s Boathouse and Dovecote). The tank was dated to the Lodi Dynasty period. This was refurbished by Metcalfe for use, for boating and swimming. Steps built from the boathouse lead to his Dilkhusha. With a retinue of servants, the immaculately kept place was stated to be an ideal setting for honeymooning couples. He also built, in “pseudo Mughal” style, a Chhatri (kiosk) or a folly with a dome and arches, and few other follies known as Garhganjs (in the form of a spiral and square stepped ziggurats).

All of the above can be seen in the Archeological Park (a spacial enclosure created recently), which has strategically placed signages showing directions to the various heritage monuments. This village was created by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), south of the Qutub Minar

The retreat had been built like a citadel with the folly (also called the only landlocked light house) in the Indo–Persian baradari style. The folly was built opposite to the remodelleld tomb of Quli Khan, surrounded by a sprawling garden. The central hall of the tomb was converted into a dining hall. Two wings were added as annexes, out of which ruins of only one is seen now. He also converted some of the old buildings around the tomb into guesthouse, staff quarters and stables.[6][14] It is also recorded that Metcalfe, the fastidious person that he was, spent lot of time at this place during his 40 years of life in Delhi. He loved this retreat and had a set of rooms made for use as a study and also lodgings for his daughter Emily to stay with him, while his wife and son lived in the formal town house in the old city. Thomas’s fondness for this place is reflected in his own words

"The ruins of grandeur that extend for miles on every side fill it with serious reflection,” he wrote. “The palaces crumbling into dust... the myriads of vast mausoleums, every one of which was intended to convey to futurity the deathless fame of its cold inhabitant, and all of which are now passed by, unknown and unnoticed. These things cannot be looked at with indifference.

During recent restoration works carried out on the tomb, some remains of Hindu temples have been found, though the date of building the tomb is as yet unclear.

The area of Mehrauli is probably the oldest continuously inhabited area of the city. As such it contains the architectural legacy of many centuries. Lal Kot, the first fortification of the city of Delhi, was established by the Tomar Rajputs in the Mehrauli area in AD 1060. The Chauhans extended this by adding the fortifications of Qila Rai Pithora, and after them the Il-Bari Turks continued to rule from this location. Though later capital cities were built at other sites, this area was not abandoned and many important buildings continued to be located here during successive dynasties - the Khaljis, Tughlaqs, Lodis, Mughals, and the British. Over 300 listed buildings of archaeological, architectural and historical significance dot the Mehrauli area with over 100 of these standing in the green belt south of the Qutub World Heritage Site and many more are still to be uncovered. It has buildings from practically each period of Delhi’s history. Some of them are well known such as the historic mosque of Jamali Kamali and the step-well known as Rajon Ki Baoli.