Delhi has been India’s center of attraction for ages. Be it the Mughal or the British colonial era, Delhi is one of the most captivating capital city filled with treasures and gems of awestruck heritage, art, and culture. It is now the capital of India and is dotted with many grand and beautiful monuments constructed by the greatest kings this world has ever seen. Let us have a look at ibgerd’s top five old historical monuments in Delhi that should be sure they’re in your travel schedule when you get over this lockdown phase!
Red Fort
Formerly known as Quila-e-Mubarak or the Blessed Fort, the Red Fort is a historical fortification located in old Delhi. Owned by the Mughal Dynasty, Red Fort’s crawling glory started when it was built by Shah Jahan in 1939. This imposing piece of architecture derives its name from its impregnable red sandstone walls. The entire fort complex is said to represent the architectural creativity and brilliance of Mughal architecture. The fort is divided into two, including Diwan-e-Aam and Diwan-e-Khas for the common people and courtiers, respectively. Red Fort is now one of the most popular monuments in Delhi with more than thousands of tourists admiring its beauty every day.
- Timings: Red Fort can be visited on all days except Mondays from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. You can also come here after 6 pm for the light and sound show available in two languages, including English and Hindi
- Entry charges: Red Fort ticket price for Indians is Rs 35 and for foreigners, it is Rs 500. It also hosts a Light and Sound show, the ticket for which is Rs 60 for adults and Rs 20 for children. The weekend ticket rate will cost you Rs 80 for adults and Rs 30 for kids
Jama Masjid
The largest mosque of India with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees, Jama Masjid was completely built in 1656 with the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan. The highly decorative mosque has three great gates, four towers and two 40 m-high minarets constructed of strips of red sandstone and white marble. It has now been given the title of UNESCO world heritage site due to the Arabic inscriptions on it. Such is the fame of this monument that several tourists travel to Delhi just to visit one of the most mesmerizing monuments in Delhi.
- Timings: Jama Masjid opens from 7 am to 12 pm and then again at 1:30 pm and closes at 6.30 pm on all days of the week
- Entry charges: There is no entry fee to visit Jama Masjid. However, if one wants to click any photographs, they need to pay Rs. 300 as the ticket price for photography
Humayun’s Tomb
As the name suggests, Humayun’s tomb is the burial or mausoleum of Humayun which was built by Haji Begum (the wife of Humayun) using the characteristic red sandstone in 1565 A.D. It is located near the crossing of Mathura road and Lodhi road. After 1857 A.D. it also became a burial ground for several graves of Mughal rulers. Very recently in the early 1990s, it was also put in the list of UNESCO World heritage sites. The complex has two gateways built with two storeys found on the western and southern side of the complex. Close to the tomb, lies Nizamuddin Dargah. It is a mausoleum of Nizamuddin Auliya, a Sufi saint and a ruler of the city.
- Timings: The monument is open throughout the day and the year. However, the best to visit is from 8 am to 6 pm
- Entry charges: Citizens of India, BIMSTEC countries, and SAARC are charged Rs 10 per head to enter the fort and the garden. Other foreign nationals have to pay Rs 250 per head. Children up to the age of 15 are offered free entry. There is no charge for a camera or video camera
Old Fort
Old Fort or Purana Quila is an architectural heritage which was built by Mughal emperor Humayun and Afghan ruler Sher Shah. Purana Quila is roughly rectangular having a circuit of nearly two kilometers which is standing stoically amidst wild greenery. The walls of the fort have three gates and are surrounded by a moat fed by the river Yamuna. The fort has three main entrances, the Bada Darwaza which faces west and is used as the entrance to the fort even today. The South Gate is known as the Humayun Gate and the third gate is called the Talaqi Gate or the forbidden gate. It is one of the most captivating tourist sites that narrate the history of Delhi in detail.
- Timings: The place is open on all days from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. You can enjoy the boat ride inside the fort premises within the same time
- Entry charges: The entry charges for the monument and garden for Indians is Rs 30 while for the foreigners, it is Rs 300. There are no charges for still photography while you need to pay Rs 25 for carrying video cameras inside
Agrasen ki Baoli
Agrasen ki Baoli aka Ugrasen ki Baoli is one of those heritage structures you must explore when you step out of your home to explore Delhi. It stands in the heart of Delhi as a souvenir left behind by time. This ornate stepwell, which was once a water reservoir, is an exquisite example of splendid architecture and ancient engineering skills. The place is one of the oldest historical monuments in Delhi that now serves as a prime attraction for thousands of tourists across the world.
- Timings: Agrasen ki Baoli timings are from 7 am to 6 pm on all days of the week. However, it is advisable to visit it during the early morning to avoid the crowd
- Entry charges: There is no entry fee to visit Jama Masjid. You don’t even have to pay for photography/ videography at the place
