Hauz Khas

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Built by Sultan Ala-ud-din Khilji in the 13th century, Hauz Khas means ‘noble tank', and its reservoir once covered 28 hectares. It collected enough water during the monsoon to last Siri Fort throughout the dry season. Today it's much smaller, but still a beautiful place to be, thronged by birds and surrounded by parkland. Overlooking it are the impressive ruins of Feroz Shah’s 14th-century madrasa (religious school) and tomb, which he had built before his death in 1388.

To reach the lake shore, either cut through the adjacent Deer Park (daylight hours), which has more ruined tombs and a well-stocked deer enclosure, or walk past all the Hauz Khas shops, beyond No 50, and enter the grounds of Feroz Shah’s madrasa, from where you can look out over the lake before climbing down to the water's edge.

There are numerous Lodi-era tombs scattered along the access road to Hauz Khas Village, and in nearby Green Park.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Feroz Shah’s Madrasa

0.06 MILES

The impressive ruins of Feroz Shah’s 14th-century madrasa overlook the tree-lined waters of Hauz Khas, and can be explored. You can climb down from here…

2. Feroz Shah’s Tomb

0.06 MILES

This small, beautiful tomb is the link between the two wings of Feroz Shah's madrasa (religious school). It's constructed from quartzite rubble and the…

3. Hauz Khas Deer Park

0.15 MILES

Popular with families, this tree-shaded park has ducks, rabbits and plenty of deer, and is linked to the 13th-century reservoir that gives Hauz Khas its…

4. Siri Fort

1.15 MILES

Only some of the walls remain of this 14th-century fort, built by Ala-ud-din Khilji as the second of the seven historical cities of Delhi. They are…

5. Alai Minar

2.02 MILES

In the 14th century, Sultan Ala-ud-din made additions to the Qutab Minar Complex, which included an ambitious plan to erect a second tower of victory,…

6. Qutb Minar Complex

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If you only have time to visit one of Delhi's ancient ruins, make it this. The first monuments here were erected by the sultans of Mehrauli, and…

7. Iron Pillar

2.07 MILES

In the courtyard of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid is a 6.7m-high iron pillar that is much more ancient than any of the surrounding monuments. It hasn't…

8. Qutab Minar

2.09 MILES

The Qutab Minar that gives the complex its name is an unmissable, soaring Afghan-style victory tower and minaret, erected by sultan Qutb-ud-din in 1193 to…