This 12th-century reservoir was formerly larger. The pavilion at its edge was once in the middle, and supposed to cover the hoofprint of a horse, ridden by the Prophet, who appeared to Iltutmish of the Slave Dynasty in a dream and instructed him where to build the tank. The Jahaz Mahal, a 15th-century palace, overlooks it.
Haus i Shamsi Tank
Delhi
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
1 MILES
There are extraordinary riches scattered around Mehrauli, with more than 440 monuments – from the 10th century to the British era – dotting a forest and…
10.61 MILES
Founded by Emperor Shah Jahan and surrounded by a magnificent 18m-high wall, this fort took 10 years to construct (1638–48) and is rumoured to have had…
7.14 MILES
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10.1 MILES
A beautiful pocket of calm at the heart of Old Delhi's mayhem, the capital's largest mosque is built on a 10m elevation. It can hold a mind-blowing 25,000…
6.76 MILES
Visiting the marble shrine of Muslim Sufi saint Nizam-ud-din Auliya is Delhi's most mystical, magical experience. The dargah is hidden away in a tangle of…
1.06 MILES
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…
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7.79 MILES
Shh, whisper it quietly: this place is better than the Red Fort. Delhi's 'Old Fort' isn't as magnificent in size and grandeur, but it's far more pleasant…
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5.09 MILES
This magnificent 14th-century ruined fort, half reclaimed by jungle and gradually being encroached on by villages, was Delhi's third incarnation, built by…
Nearby Delhi attractions
0.36 MILES
At this seemingly long-forgotten yet immaculately maintained site, 49 hijras (eunuchs) are buried in simple white tombs. The more elaborate grave,…
0.7 MILES
Delhi’s second-largest temple (after Akshardham), this impressive sandstone and marble complex dates from 1974, and is dedicated to the goddess Katyayani …
0.95 MILES
At the foot of the Qutab Minar stands the first mosque to be built in India. An inscription over the east gate states that it was built with materials…
0.97 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…
0.98 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…
6. Mehrauli Archaeological Park
1 MILES
There are extraordinary riches scattered around Mehrauli, with more than 440 monuments – from the 10th century to the British era – dotting a forest and…
1.03 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,…
1.06 MILES
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…