Historical Places in Delhi – Top Tourist Places in Delhi

There are many historical places in Delhi which will appeal to connoisseurs of history, heritage, and architecture as well as casual tourists.

Historical places in Delhi – Top tourist places in Delhi, India

Does history fascinate you? Do heritage buildings with their silent stories give you the goosebumps? then the many historical places in Delhi make it the right place for you to explore. Some of the best places to visit in Delhi are steeped in history and take you back in time across thousands of years. Whether it is one of the most popular tourist places in Delhi like the Qutub Minar or a lesser-known monument, history confronts you at almost every nook and corner of Delhi. The historical places in Delhi, India are bound to enthrall both the connoisseur and the layman with their charms.

Delhi was the seat of power of the Mughals and it continues to be the power center of India. History is present in almost every stone of Delhi, after all, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Today Delhi presents a mosaic of offerings to the traveler, from history, culture, cuisine, adventure, museums, and much more. There are things to do in Delhi that cater to different tastes and preferences. In this Delhi travel blog, we bring you some of the best places in Delhi from the perspective of history.

Historical places in Delhi – Qutub Minar

One of the places that are bound to figure in the Delhi sightseeing itinerary of every traveler is the Qutub Minar. It is one of the most iconic of the historical monuments in Delhi and in many ways the emblem of Delhi. The purpose of the Qutub Minar is shrouded in enigma, but it is generally believed that it is a victory monument. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was started by Qutb ud Din Aibak who is credited as the founder of the Delhi Sultanate and was ultimately completed by his successor named Shamsuddin Iltumish. The construction of the Qutb Minar took place between the 12th and 13th centuries.

The Qutub Minar at a height of 73 meters towers over the skyline of Delhi. The historical monument is located in the midst of sprawling gardens and there are other historical sites here including what is considered as one of the oldest mosques in the sub-continent, the Quwat-ul-Islam mosque. This monument is not only an important historical place to visit in Delhi but it is also one of the interesting places to visit in Delhi with family.

Historical places in Delhi – Red Fort

The historic Red Fort or Lal Quila is a Delhi tourist spot that is always teeming with visitors. Red Fort has been an integral part of India’s history across the years. It is from this fort’s Lahore Gate that the Indian national flag first flew in triumph on the 15th of August, 1947, the day India got its independence from British rule. Every Independence day sees the tricolor being unfurled at the Lahore Gate by the Prime Minister of India. One of the most important in terms of recent history among the forts of India is undoubtedly the Red Fort. The Red Fort was the seat of power of the Mughal Dynasty for about 200 years and this is where the Mughal emperors lived.

The Red Fort was constructed in the year 1639 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the same emperor who had the Taj Mahal built in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage SIte is an architectural marvel that aesthetically blends the Mughal, Persian, Timurid, and Hindu architectural styles. The monument sprawls over an area of about 254 acres and is secured by an outer wall that runs for about 2.4 kilometers. The Red Fort has beautiful Mughal gardens, residential quarters of the royalty, courtrooms of the Mughals, and much more.

In its days of glory, it was filled with treasures of art including the likes of the Peacock Throne and the Kohinoor diamond. If you are passionate about history, the ramparts of the Red Fort are sure to whisper untold stories from the past in your ears. Even if one is short on time, Red Fort should be visited, it is definitely doable and one of the top places to visit in Delhi in one day.

Historical places in Delhi – Humayun’s tomb

A place that is inextricably linked with the history of the Mughals in India is the Humayun’s Tomb. It is not only one of the important historical places in Delhi, but also a beautiful testament of Mughal architecture. Humayun’s tomb is another of Delhi tourist attractions that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tomb in which are interred the remains of Humayun who was the father of the famous Mughal Emperor Akbar also houses the mortal remains of more than 150 royals of the Mughal dynasty.

Humayun’s tomb with its grandeur in design and style is seen as the precursor to the Taj Mahal which in many ways was the zenith of the brilliance of Mughal architecture. Humayun’s tomb was build in the mid 16th century and was commissioned at the behest of Humayun’s first wife Empress Bega Begum. If Mughal architecture is something that enchants you then Humayun’s Tomb is definitely one of the top places to visit in Delhi.

Historical places in Delhi – Quila Rai Pithora

The Quila Rai Pithora may not figure in lists like top 10 places to visit in Delhi, but nonetheless, it is one of the historical places in Delhi that history buffs must not miss. One of the interesting aspects of this place is its association with Prithviraj Chauhan, a colossal and popular figure from the annals of Indian history. Of course, there has been no concrete evidence to establish this fact. The Quila Rai Pithora is a fortified complex that includes in its fold the Qutub Minar. It dates back to the 12th century.

The fort complex is considered to be made up of two sections which are Lal Kot and Quila Rai Pithora. The Lal Kot portion is attributed to the Tomara dynasty which ruled Delhi between the 9th and 12th centuries. The Quila Rai Pithora has been attributed to the Chahamanas or Chauhans from Rajasthan of which Prithviraj Chauhan was a part. Today parts of the fort walls can be seen in areas of Delhi around the Qutub Minar complex, Mehrauli, Saket, Vasant Kunj, and Kishangarh.

Historical places in Delhi – Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid, Delhi is considered to be one of the largest mosques in the country and accommodates about 25,000 people. It is not only one of the popular Delhi sightseeing places, but also another beautiful example of Mughal architecture. The Jama Masjid was built by the emperor Shah Jehan between 1650 and 1656. The huge courtyard sprawls over an area of about 408 square feet.

Safdarjung’s Tomb

The Safdarjung tomb is a beautiful white and red structure that echoes the typical style and grandeur of Mughal architecture. The tomb was built by Nawab Shujaud Dawla for his father Safdarjung(Mirza Muqim Abul Mansur Khan). Safdarjung was the ruler of Audh and later moved to Delhi where he was made the Prime Minister by the then Mughal emperor Mohammed Shah Ahmed Shah. However, it is said that Safdarjung went beyond his mandate and usurped all powers relegating the emperor’s role to that of a puppet. The Safdarjung Tomb dates back to 1754.

Tughlaqabad Fort

Tughlaquabad was the dream of the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty, Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq. He envisioned a beautiful and impregnable city within a fort. Today what remains are the ruins overlooked by the tomb of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq. It is said that he died owing to the machinations of his own son Muhammad Bin Tughlaq. Today the tombs of both father and son can be seen together near the Tughlaquabad Fort.

Jahaz Mahal

Jahaj Mahal was built by the rulers of the Lodhi dynasty between 1452 to 1526. The structure which stands near an artificial reservoir Hauz-i-Shamsi gets its name from the fact that its reflection in the waters resembles a ship. It is believed that the Jahaz Mahal was built either as a retreat for the royalty or as a resting place or inn for pilgrims who came to visit the different mosques in Delhi.

Alauddin Khilji’s Tomb

The tomb of Alauddin Khilji is unique in the sense that it is built inside a Madarsa which was itself built by himself in the year 1315. The Madarasa and the tomb are located with the Qutub Minar complex. The Madarsa itself is one of the few surviving ones that predate the Mughal empire in India. Alauddin Khalji was the most powerful of the rulers of the Khalji dynasty.

Agrasen Ki Baoli

Agrasen Ki Baoli is a historic stepwell located near Connaught Place. Though there is no concrete evidence to prove who actually built it, it is generally attributed to the King Agrasen. At a later date, it was rebuilt in the 14th century by the Agrawal community who are descendants of Maharaja Agrasen. The stepwell measures 60 meters in length and is 15 meters wide. The monument is a designated protected monument of the Archaeological Survey of India(ASI).

Jantar Mantar

The Jantar Mantar in Delhi is one of the five built by Maharajah Jai Singh II, the others are in Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi, and Mathura. The largest one is the one located in Jaipur which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Delhi Jantar Mantar was completed in the year 1710. It has 13 instruments including the Samrat Yantra, Jayaprakash Yantra, Rama Yantra, and Misra Yantra.

Mehrauli Archaeological Park

The Mehrauli Archaeological Park is a stretch of area that sprawls over 200 acres and is located near the Qutub Minar in Mehrauli, Delhi. It encloses within its periphery more than 100 monuments that are of great historical significance. These include Tomb of Balban, Rajon Ki Baoli, Zafar Mahal, Tomb of Adham Khan, and many others.

Raj Ghat

Raj Ghat is a place where lies the memorial to the Father Of The Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. A black marble platform has been built over the spot where the mortal remains of the Mahatma were cremated after his assassination in 1948. The place is both a historical and a pilgrimage site, especially for Indians.

India Gate

India Gate is another iconic landmark of Delhi. A place that especially comes alive during the Republic Day celebrations of India. It was unveiled in the year 1933 and is a majestic War Memorial with an architectural grandeur on the lines of the Arc De Triomphe. India Gate is a tribute and memorial to 70,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who laid down their lives in war between the years 1914-1921. The design of India Gate was done by Edward Lutyens.

Rashtrapati Bhavan

The Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of the President of India and consists of 340 rooms that encompass residential areas and offices. It is flanked by the sprawling Mughal Gardens. The Rashtrapati Bhavan was completed in the year 1929 and sprawls over an area of 321 acres.

The place was designed by Edward Lutyens and was earlier referred to as Viceroy House. C. Rajgopalachari the first Indian Governor-General of India was also the first Indian occupant of the place. The place was renamed as Rashtrapati Bhavan when India’s first President Rajendra Prasad Moved in.

Delhi Tourism – Must See Places in Delhi / Delhi attractions

How to reach Delhi

• Delhi is well connected by air to different parts of the world and India as well
• Delhi’s airport is called the Indira Gandhi International Airport
• Delhi is the capital of India and is well connected by road and rail to all major cities and towns of India

If you like this post and are planning to visit Delhi in India then you can book a cheap flight through TripAdvisor or Agoda or CheapAir or Cleartrip or Makemytrip or Priceline right here. You can fly directly to Delhi from major cities of India and also from central hubs anywhere in the world. If you are traveling from within India and you want to indulge in the pleasures of a road trip then check out the options to reach Delhi by self-drive car or cab or bus or alternatively take a train.

Plan your stay in Delhi

If you are planning to visit Delhi, India then you must be wondering where to stay in New Delhi, India or the best hotels in Delhi, India. There are several options to stay in Delhi. There is a wide choice of budget accommodation as well as high-end luxury hotels to choose from. One can book hotels through TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or Agoda or Makemytrip or Priceline and save a lot by getting the best offers on hotels and resorts.

Tours/Activities available in Delhi, India

Delhi points of interest are many and if you are wondering what to see in Delhi, India or what to do in Delhi, India, then you need not look further. Delhi tour packages are available for the best Delhi tours. You can now book Delhi sightseeing tours and activities in and around Delhi, India. Plan the best places to visit in Delhi and experience Delhi, a city popularly known as Dilwalon ki Dilli. Experience Delhi – India’s Historical City, the capital city of India! A must-do tour we recommend is the New & Old Delhi Day Tour to get a feel of the city and its culture. If you are looking for some adventure places in Delhi then the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, South Campus and Amusement Parks in Delhi would be ideal.

Click to know more about Best Things To Do In Delhi.

Driving around Delhi, India 

Places to visit in Delhi are plenty. If you are looking at getting the best deals on car rental in Delhi, India, then look no further. You can rent a car in Delhi, India to explore and experience amazing Delhi, and in and around areas and embark on a road trip of exploration and discovery of Delhi. Alternatively, if you have a valid Indian driving license then you could also rent a self-drive car from Delhi NCR which includes free fuel and insurance.

What to eat in Delhi, India

While in Delhi, one cannot miss the food of Delhi. We have it covered in our detailed post on 20 best places to eat in Delhi. Do check it out.

Books related to Delhi

If you are interested in history, architecture, culture, heritage, travel, food and all about Delhi, then do check out these amazing books about Delhi.

As you can see Delhi is a historian’s delight with so many places and monuments of historical significance. This by no means is an exhaustive list, it is an attempt to curate a list of some of the important historical places in Delhi. We would love your comments and suggestions, do connect with us through the comments section.

We recommend the following posts for you to read:

25 Must See Places in Delhi With Family
4 Amazing Road Trips from Delhi
20 Best Places to Eat in Delhi
Have you heard of the Heritage Transport Museum near Delhi?
Exploring The Golden Triangle India

Thanks for visiting our site Voyager – imvoyager.com and taking the time to read this post!

If you wish to collaborate/work with us then reach us at [email protected]

We’d love if you’d comment by sharing your thoughts on this post and share this post on social media and with your friends.

[shareaholic app=”share_buttons” id=”27413782″]

Follow our journey on our social media channels:
Facebook   Twitter   Instagram  Pinterest  YouTube

60+ Million Users Trust TripAdvisor With Their Travel Plans. Shouldn’t You?