10 Famous Monuments in Delhi That You Must Visit

The capital city of India, Delhi is a rich tapestry of historical and cultural significance portrayed through sophisticated architecture and brilliant craftsmanship. Some of the famous monuments of Delhi are centuries old and have stood the test of time to still wow today’s visitor with their fascinating history.  In Delhi, you will find tall minarets, lush green parks, religious sites with captivating backstories, and even the magnificent tomb that inspired Emperor Shah Jahan to build the Taj Mahal.   Today we’ll explore the most glorious of Delhi’s famous monuments, their history, why you should visit them, and how.

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Our guide to these glorious historical sites of Delhi comes from Ashley Antony – an independent researcher and travel writer who records her travel journeys at planashleygo.com.  This detailed guide comes complete with historical titbits, interesting facts, architectural relevance, and all the information you would need to plan a heritage trip to Delhi.

Before Delhi became the capital of modern India, it was the capital city for many dynasties who arrived in Delhi from West Asian countries like ancient Turkey and Persia.

The most notable of the West Asian dynasties was the Mughal Empire which ruled over North India for three hundred years from the 1300s to the 1600s.

#1 THING TO DO

Best Way to See Delhi’s Monuments

Delhi is an enormous city, and the best way to see her monuments (old and new) is to take an air conditioned car and a tour guide to skip lines and explain what you’re seeing.

This is the best tour of Dehi’s Monuments.

Most of the famous monuments of Delhi that exist today were built by the Mughal Emperors and these sites show a heavy influence of both Persian and Islamic architecture. The Mughal monuments are made of white marble or red sandstones. They are often in vast walled complexes with elaborate Persian gardens and water bodies. And, in short, they are absolutely breathtaking.

The Mughals were followed by the British who brought with them the colonial architecture characterized by open verandas, tall, narrow windows, and arched gates. The credit for the British colonial influence on Delhi’s heritage sites is almost singularly accredited to architect Sir Edwin Lutyens who built iconic landmarks like Castle Drogo and 100 King Street in England.

Here are our top ten of the famous monuments of Delhi that will mesmerize you with their architecture and history.

The first monument on my list is the Red Fort in Old Delhi. Built in the 1630s, it is a work of art in red sandstone, intricate white marble inlay work, and combines both Persian and Mughal architectural styles. It is one of the three UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Delhi.

The Mughals initially used Agra as their capital, where Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal as the stunning mausoleum for his wife. Later when he shifted his capital to Delhi, he ordered the construction of the Red Fort from where he’d command his capital city. This is where the Mughals lived and ruled for more than 200 years!

While Delhi changed hands from Mughal rulers to the British and then to the pioneers of an independent India, the Red Fort only grew stronger as a historical monument. On August 15, 1947, when India declared its independence from British colonial rule, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the First Prime Minister of India hoisted the Indian Flag at the Red Fort. Since then, the Red Fort has been the site of India’s annual Independence Day celebrations.

When you are at the Red Fort, don’t forget to check out the other structures in the complex — the Moti Masjid, Khas Mahal, Mumtaz Mahal, and Rang Mahal. Some of these buildings now function as museums housing a collection of artifacts, including manuscripts, Mughal miniatures, royal costumes, war memorials, and other historical relics.

Humayun’s Tomb is one of the most iconic landmark monuments of Delhi and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

When the Mughal Emperor Humayun died in 1632, his wife ordered the construction of an elaborate tomb. Typical of the Mughal architecture, Humayun’s Tomb is constructed of red sandstone and white marble inlay work. It is also the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent modeled after the Persian garden layout and the first known large-scale construction using sandstone.  There’s more on visiting Humayun’s Tomb here.

The main tomb is an octagonal structure with a double dome, and it contains the cenotaph of Emperor Humayun. The actual grave of Humayun is in a chamber below the main tomb. History has it that Shah Jahan was inspired by the grandeur of Humayun’s Tomb to build the Taj Mahal for his beloved wife, but instead of the red sandstone, he chose to use white marble.

Apart from the main tomb, the complex houses several other monuments of cultural and historical significance, including the tomb of Isa Khan, a noble in the Mughal court.

The Qutub Minar is the oldest historical monument in Delhi on this list of the top monuments of Delhi and it’s another UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the world’s tallest brick minarets, standing at a height of 73 meters (240 feet). The minaret is adorned with intricate calligraphy and inscriptions from the Quran in Arabic.

It is quite truly glorious architecture.

The Qutub Minar was built by Turkish invaders called Sultans who came here to Delhi before the Mughals in 1192. You can easily spot the differences between the two styles of architecture. Mughal monuments are rather artistic and include white marble inlay work. Qutub Minar and the associated monuments, on the other hand, are rather plain red sandstone structures with calligraphic inscriptions adorning the walls.  There are also no Persian gardens in this complex.

Another interesting structure in the Qutub Minar Complex is the Iron Pillar, which dates from 400 CE  and is noted for its anti-rust properties. This pillar was built by a previous dynasty long before the Turks arrived.

Most of the other monuments in the complex are in ruins and they make absolutely stunning photography. You just cannot go wrong with your camera at the Qutub Minar.

Jama Masjid is another Mughal monument built by Emperor Shah Jahan. It is one of India’s largest and most iconic mosques. The mosque has a large central dome ceiling made of red sandstone with white marble stripes. The mosque has two 40 meter (131 feet) tall minarets on either side. You can actually go up to the top of the minarets through stairs.

What I like most about Jama Masjid, Delhi, is that it is one of the few active mosques in India that is open to people of all faiths and creeds. However, keep in mind that you are required to dress modestly, remove your shoes at the entrance, and, if you’re female also cover your head with a scarf. Photography is prohibited inside the mosque, but you can capture the beauty of this 17th-century mosque from the outside.

During Ramadan, thousands gather at the large courtyard for iftar.  Iftar is the meal taken after sunset during Ramadan and the breaking of the fast. I had an opportunity to be part of the Ramadan celebrations here and it was out of this world. You can get all the food items needed for the iftar right outside the mosque.

Jama Masjid and its surrounding street is a bustling locality with some of Delhi’s best street food shops, especially for kebabs and Mughlai dishes. While visiting Jama Masjid, do check out iconic restaurants nearby, including Karim’s, a Mughlai restaurant that made it to Time Magazine’s Best in Asia list.

Lodhi Gardens is one of my favorite places in Delhi to relax. This lush green garden was laid out by the British in the 1930s around the tomb of Sikandar Lodhi, and several other Sultanate monuments dating from the 1500s. Lodhi was the penultimate Sultanate king of Delhi. The must-visit monuments in this 80-acre garden are Mohammed Shah’s Tomb, the Tomb of Sikandar Lodi, the Shisha Gumbad, and the Bara Gumbad.

The most prominent structure here is Lodhi’s tomb, which is a large octagonal monument with a cenotaph for Lodhi inside it. Shisha Gumbad, loosely translated as the “Glass Dome,” is a glazed blue tiled dome-shaped structure. Bara Gumbad meaning “large dome” is made of rubble.

Lodhi Gardens is one of the few monuments in Delhi that is open after sunset. You can take a stroll here and take your sweet time to check out each of the monuments spread across the property. The open lawns and well-kept pathways make it a favorite spot among the Delhites for jogging, yoga, and picnics.

Agrasen Ki Baoli is one of the most mysterious monuments in Delhi. It is a stepwell used for water storage; a practice common across northwest Asia. No one knows when Agrasen Ki Baoli was actually constructed. Legend has it that it was built by King Agrasen, a descendant of Lord Rama to provide refuge to his people during drought. The site underwent some form of renovation in the 1400s under the Sultanates and shows Islamic influence added to its original architecture.

Agrasen Ki Baoli is centrally located near Connaught Place and is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.

Rumor has it that Agrasen Ki Baoli is a haunted place. The symmetrical architecture, arched recesses, and stepped corridors create a play of light and shadow which gives it a spooky feel. It is a popular site among Instagrammers, photographers, and artists for the beautiful canvas created by the play of light here.

By the time we got to the 1900s, there were no more Mughals or Sultans in India. This is when Edwin Lutyens took over as the architect of modern India. Under British rule, India Gate is one of the most iconic British historical sites in Delhi.

Inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, India Gate is a war memorial built in honor of the soldiers who died in World War I. The names of over 13,000 British and Indian soldiers who died in the war are inscribed on the Gate.

At the base of the India Gate, you will find an eternal flame known as the “Amar Jawan Jyoti” (the Flame of the Immortal Soldier) to commemorate the unknown soldiers who sacrificed their lives in various wars.

Every year on January 26th, India Gate serves as the starting point for the Republic Day parade in Delhi, a grand event that marks the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950. India Gate is often illuminated at night and important national events and holidays.

In the evening, the street right in front of India Gate gets lined by street vendors with light snacks, ice creams, and refreshing drinks. You will see Delhi come to life here after sunset.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan, or the Presidential Palace, as we know it today, was originally constructed as the Viceroy’s House by Sir Edwin Lutyens between 1912 and 1929, combining Western and Indian architectural styles.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan is a huge complex with many buildings, museums, government offices, and a 15-acre expanse of Persian-style gardens, known as the Mughal Gardens (now name changed to Amrit Udyan).

Interesting Fact: The Rashtrapati Bhavan is the second largest residence of any head of state in the world, second only to Quirinal Palace in Italy.

You can book your visit to the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum on the spot or online through the official website of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. There are different time slots for tourist entry, starting at 9:30 am, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm. Only 250 people are allowed per time slot so it would be wise to book your ticket online.

The most unassuming but impactful monument from the 1900s in Delhi is the Raj Ghat. Raj Ghat is the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation in India. It marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated after his assassination in 1948.

At the center of Raj Ghat is a black marble platform, which symbolizes the exact spot where Mahatma Gandhi’s last rites were performed. The words “Hey Ram,” his last words, are inscribed on the platform. An eternal flame burns at one end of the platform, symbolizing the ever-burning spirit of Mahatma Gandhi and his unwavering commitment to non-violence and truth.

If you are interested in the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, visit Gandhi Samadhi a memorial museum in the complex with a collection of photographs, sculptures, and his personal belongings.

If you thought India could not accommodate every form of religion or worship in the world, you couldn’t be more wrong. The Lotus Temple in Delhi is a Bahai House of worship designed by the Iranian architect, Fariborz Sahba, to look like a lotus flower.

Built in 1986, the Lotus Temple has 27 petals made of white marble and precast concrete petals. These petals are divided into nine sets of three petals to give the nine-entrance circular hallway design as required by the Bahai faith.

Bahai is a faith that originated in Iran and believes in the unity of all people and all religions. In this temple with no idols or symbols to signify any particular god, you can pray or meditate in silence.

At the Lotus Temple complex, you will also find an information center and a learning center from where you can get books and leaflets on the Bahai faith and the Lotus Temple. Like every other significant monument in Delhi, you will find a garden and ponds around the Lotus Temple. Lotus Temple is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Delhi.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, an architecture aficionado, or a casual visitor, Delhi’s monuments will blow your mind with their grandeur and aesthetics. They tell you a story of not just the glory of their Kings and visionaries, but of the culture, tolerance, and diversity that still defines India. So put on your walking shoes, take out your camera, and explore these architectural marvels of Delhi.

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