South Delhi's Attractions

Captivating South Delhi

Several of the city’s trendiest restaurants, shops and bars are in South Delhi. This is also the area where the first cities came up around where the Qutub Minar stands. This combination makes South Delhi, which is also the greenest part of the city, especially attractive, with buzzing hot spots and historic monuments merging into a captivating landscape.

A fortress, whose crumbling ruins still exist today, dominated the center of the sixth city, Dinpanah. Purana Qila’s main highlights are two buildings within its massive walls: Qila-I-Kuhna Masjid and the Sher Mandal. Sher Shah, who was in power briefly after displacing Humayun, built the former in 1541 in Afghan style.

It is an elegant construction in black and white marble, red sandstone and adorned with graceful arches. The Sher Mandal served as an observatory and library for Emperor Humayun, who later returned to power. This octagonal red sandstone building is where, in 1556, he plunged to his death down a steep flight of stairs, on his way to say his prayers. A climb to the top treats you to wonderful views of Delhi and the Yamuna River.

Nizamuddin Dargah

Nizamuddin is situated in a busy area and the change from the modern frenzy of the outside to when you enter this village from the Middle Ages, with its winding alleys and old buildings, is distinct. Dominating this area is Hazrat Nizamuddin Darga, one of the greatest Sufi shrines. This marble tomb was built for Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya, the fourth saint of he Chishtiya order, in 1325. It has been renovated several times and the actual tomb is enveloped by lattice screens, arches, a marble rail and covered by a mother-of-pearl canopy. The dargah is vibrant and alive, drawing devotees from all over the world. Evenings here are filled with religious songs and music, performed by qawwals, or poet-singers.

In front of the saint’s tomb is another one made of red sandstone, the resting-place of Amir Khusro. He was the Sheikh’s main disciple, poet and chronicler, regarded as the first Urdu poet and creator of the khyal, a form of North Indian classical music. The other monuments of note here are the Jam-at Khana Masjid, built in 1325 by Khizr Khan, Alauddin Khilji’s son; the tomb of Princess Jahanara, Shah Jahan’s favorite daughter; and Chini-ka-Burj, which means tower of the tiles, with its decorated upper chamber.

Humayun’s Tomb

The beautiful red and white sandstone building was built in 1570 by Haji Begum, Emperor Humayun’s senior wife, and has the distinction of being the first garden tomb in the subcontinent. Built in the Persian charbagh, quartered garden, style, the central tomb is surrounded by four squares separated by water pathways forming this typical Mughal garden. The building is topped with a soaring double dome, rising to a height of 38 meters.

Other intriguing sights within the grounds include a square tomb belonging to Humayun’s barber. His importance lay in the fact that he was the only man who could hold a knife to the emperor’s throat! An octagonal tomb with a blue tiled dome marks the grave of a faithful servant and some believe this might be older than the Emperor’s mausoleum.

Safdurjung’s Tomb

Humayun’s tomb was the first Mughal garden tomb in the country and Safdarjung’s was the last. The history surrounding its construction is one of dying glory when Nadir Shah looted the city and the Mughal Empire’s might and power had dwindled to almost nothing. Many consider its design to be symbolic of the over extravagance and degeneracy that had become a part of the later Mughal era. The tomb consists of a longish dome and gaudy plasterwork interiors.

Hauz Khas Ruins

Hauz Khas is a fashionable area with some of the most chic boutiques and restaurants in the city. It is also one of the most historic areas, deriving its name from the Royal Reservoir that was excavated in 1300 A.D to supply water to Alauddin Khilji’s capital, Siri. The picturesque ruins comprising a madrasa (Islamic school), which was built by Feroz Shah Tuglaq, and his tomb, are stunning. The latter is a blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture. Night is an especially good time to visit this area as the lighting creates a tranquil, mellow ambience. You can round off a nocturnal ramble with dinner at “Terrace in the Sky”, a roof top restaurant with great views of the ruins and the intoxicating strains of the sarod, tabla and other instruments.

Bahá'í Temple

Built in the shape of a lotus - a symbol of beauty and purity, and made of white marble, the Bahá'í Temple has left an indelible mark on the city’s landscape. The Lotus Temple was completed in 1986, constructed by the followers of the Bahá'í faith. It is shaped like a lotus with 27 marble petals, emerging from nine pools and walkways, which symbolize the nine Bahá'í spiritual paths. Anyone can enter, regardless of caste or creed, and pray, meditate or simply savor the beauty of this place. Adding to the serene atmosphere are the surrounding pools and gardens. It is an award winning monument, raved about for its form and design. Behind this ethereal vision of simplicity is a complex plan that required traditional workmanship because of the absence of high-tech equipment. It is beautiful at any time of day, but particularly stunning at sunset.

Tughlaqabad Fort

Built by the Tughlaqs in a short span from AD 1321-25, this imposing fort may be crumbling, but its soaring walls, massive bastions and huge towers are absolutely magnificent. It’s lovely at night when it’s lit up and the soft glow gives it a haunting beauty. Steeped in tales of conspiracy, curses and political unrest, this fort built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq to protect his people from the Mongols, is one of the most captivating sights in the city.

Qutub Minar

Towering high over an assortment of Afghan architectural marvels is the iconic Qutub Minar. Built by Qutub-Ud-Din-Aibak in 1199, with three more storeys added later by his son-in-law, as a monument to give calls for prayer, the Qutub Minar is a 72.5 meter high tribute to Islamic architecture. It’s a striking structure of red and buff sandstone, with intricate carvings and inscribed verses from the Koran.

There are other intriguing monuments surrounding it like the Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid, a mix of Hindu and Islamic design and materials, with Islamic calligraphy and brocaded designs and pillars with Hindu motifs. These pillars were taken from Qila Rai Pithora, the city of the Rajput king, Prithviraj Chauhan.

The Iron Pillar, which has never rusted through hundreds of years, in the courtyard of the mosque, as well the unfinished Alai Minar, the ornamental entrance to the complex, Alai Darwaza. The tombs and the madrasa are added attractions around the Qutub Minar and contribute to the haunting beauty of the area.

Other attractions

Other than its historic highlights, South Delhi is also known for its array of eateries, boutiques and shops, which attract hordes of visitors and locals. Hauz Khas and Shahpurjat are filled with designer boutiques, trendy shoe and bag stores and cosy silver shops. Dilli Haat is modelled on a rural village landscape and is filled with stalls run by artisans and craftsmen from different parts of India. It also has different regional food stalls. The oldest multiplex cinema in the city dominates Saket and the surrounding complex is a trendy mix of coffee shops, bars, branded clothes’ stores and restaurants. Greater Kailash Part One’s M-Block Market is filled with designer stores, slipper stalls and international food chains and is a favorite with the young, hip and moneyed class. Its N-Block Market is dominated by Fab India, with its chic cotton and block print clothes ad furnishings while Sunder Nagar Market, next to Purana Qila, is an upmarket area to shop for art, antiques and jewelry. Greater Kailash Part Two houses some of the city’s best restaurants like the Italian specialty restaurant, Diva, and China Garden along with bakeries, coffee shops and other eateries.