Last Updated on: 9th March 2026, 11:18 am
From the early 16th century to the mid-19th century, the Mughal Empire ruled much of South Asia. But it was under the reign of Shah Jahan that Delhi took center stage, remaining the empire’s capital until its demise. Accordingly, Delhi is home to some outstanding Mughal architecture, a style that blends Persian, Central Asian, and Indian influences.
The Mughals were not the first ones to bring Indo-Islamic architecture to Delhi, as the Sultanate of Delhi ruled from here as early as the 12th century. Though this article largely focuses on Mughal buildings, we’ll also be covering some older structures from the Delhi Sultanate era as well.
Given Delhi’s massive size and long history, this guide is far from being an exhaustive list. Many of the landmarks featured below are spread apart, and the best way to reach them is with a combination of the Delhi Metro and Uber.
For more information on accommodation in Delhi, be sure to check the end of the article.
The Red Fort
Let’s begin this guide with Old Delhi’s most well-known landmark, the Red Fort. Entry tickets cost Rs 600 for foreigners (or Rs 35 for locals), though you can also pay an additional Rs 350 for an on-site museum. The fort is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
The fort was first commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1639, at a time when Agra was the Mughal capital. But upon its completion in 1648, the empire’s capital shifted here and the Red Fort remained the seat of Mughal power until 1857.
(Of course, after the British took control, they still used Delhi as their capital, but shifted power to New Delhi instead.)
Despite its historical importance and arguably being Delhi’s most well-known landmark, the Red Fort is arguably the city’s most underwhelming tourist attraction. As impressive as the imposing sandstone walls appear from the outside, there’s relatively little of interest within.
Nevertheless, we can’t talk about Mughal architecture in Delhi without mentioning the Red Fort. But those with limited time in Delhi should focus on the mausoleums featured further below instead.
Shortly past the entrance is the Chhatta Chowk, or covered bazaar, that Shah Jahan implemented after seeing a similar one in Peshawar.
And past that is the Naubat Khana, or Drum House. In Mughal times, live musicians would play here five times a day.
One of the Red Fort’s architectural highlights is the Diwan-i-Am, a sandstone pavilion featuring 60 pillars. It was here that the emperor would sit and give audience to the public.
At the opposite end of the complex, meanwhile, are marble structures that once served as royal residences. Among them is the Diwan-i-Khas, where the emperor himself lived. It was also here that he would host private events and meetings.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to go inside at the time of my visit. And as pretty as it is, judging from the outside, it doesn’t outshine Rajasthan’s many Rajput palaces.
Elsewhere around the fort are various standalone structures including a hammam, mosques, and numerous pavilions.
The fort is also home to various multistory buildings, though most of them were inaccessible and possibly vacant. Unfortunately, the Red Fort’s fountains were also dry during my visit.
When visiting the Red Fort, you’ll inevitably find yourself traversing part of Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi’s traditional market area. While worth a stop, it’s easily one of Delhi’s most chaotic places.
Jama Masjid
Along with the Red Fort, Delhi’s Jama Masjid was also commissioned by Shah Jahan. That emperor, of course, is best known for Agra’s Taj Mahal – one of the world’s most iconic structures.
But rather than white marble, this mosque more closely resembles the red sandstone structures of his predecessors. With that said, the mosque’s three large domes are indeed coated in marble.
Completed in 1656, it took six years and as many as 5,000 workers to complete.
You can expect to find the Jama Masjid’s square courtyard packed throughout the day with both tourists and local worshippers.
Given all the chaos, if you’re planning a trip to Agra, you can skip this one and visit the Jama Masjid in Fatehpur Sikri instead. Constructed by Shah Jahan’s grandfather, Akbar, that mosque is arguably even more impressive architecturally, while only attracting a small fraction of the crowds.
If there’s one reason to visit Delhi’s Jama Masjid, however, it’s for a chance to climb up the 120 steps of the south minaret for excellent views of the city.
A note on pricing: The Jama Masjid actually charges an entry fee for visitors which I’ve found quite rare in the Islamic world. The official price is Rs 300 for non-Muslims.
Though I saw a sign mentioning payment upon entry, nobody actually asked me to pay, and I walked right inside. Since mosques are usually free, I assumed that the sign must have been referring to the minaret.
But the minaret costs a separate entrance fee of Rs 200. It was only upon exiting the mosque via the opposite end that I was asked by a random man if I’d paid.
Ugrasen ki Baoli
During your visit to Connaught Place, Delhi’s commercial heart, be sure to make a quick detour to see Ugrasen Ki Baoli, a Mughal-era stepwell. Before the existence of Connaught Place, it served as a water source for a few small villages that existed in the area.
This structure likely predates the Mughal era, and it’s believed to have been built in the 14th century. The stepwell is free to enter, well-maintained, and a popular hangout spot for locals.
The Tomb of Humayun
Located in Delhi’s southeast, the Tomb of Humayun is arguably the finest example of Mughal architecture in the capital. Open daily from sunrise to sunset, entrance costs Rs 600 for foreigners and Rs 40 for locals.
Humayun (r. 1508-1556 AD) was the second Mughal emperor, and his tomb is regarded as the first example of Mughal architecture done on a monumental scale.
And as we’ll cover shortly, it’s part of a much larger complex that contains numerous other structures to explore.
The large mausoleum is situated in the center of a 30-acre garden enclosure that’s divided into four quadrants, a Persian tradition that dates back to the time of Cyrus the Great (6th century BC).
The tomb was commissioned by Hamida Banu Begum, Humayun’s widow, and both Indian and Persian craftsmen worked on the project. Its head architect was Savvid Muhammad Ghiyas.
The main structure sits on a huge 12,000 square meter platform. And it reaches up to 47 m high. The mausoleum utilizes both red sandstone and white marble – two materials that would be favored by many subsequent rulers.
Aside from Humayun itself, the mausoleum actually contains over 160 graves! Much like the elaborate mausoleums of Central Asia, the interior was once covered in colorful tiles that have since been removed.
As mentioned, it was Shah Jahan who shifted the Mughal capital to Delhi. So why was Humayun buried here when the capital was in Agra?
Before the massive urban sprawl we know as Delhi today, the area was home to multiple separate towns and cities. And Humayun had established a new city nearby known as Dinpanah, which was situated on the banks of the Yamuna River. (His old fort, known as Purana Quila, is not far away to the north.)
Another important reason is that the general area is the location of the tomb of the 14th-century Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. And well before Humayun’s tomb was built here, it was popular for people to construct their tombs in proximity to Auliya’s.
Furthermore, considering how Humayun’s father Babur was a direct descendant of the Central Asian Timurids, building this elaborate mausoleum in Delhi was also a way to portray the Mughals as being heirs to prior Indo-Islamic rulers.
Located to the southeast of Humayun’s Mausoleum, but still within the main garden enclosure, is the ‘Tomb of Barber’ from the late 16th century. Crafted of sandstone, the tomb doesn’t belong to a man named ‘Barber,’ but to Humayun’s actual hairdresser!
At the extreme southeast corner of the garden is another tomb known as Nila Gumbad which even predates that of Humayun.
Most visitors overlook it entirely, and archaeologists aren’t even sure who lies within. Nevertheless, its exterior maintains many of its colorful tiles, resembling something you might find in Uzbekistan.
On the opposite side of Humayun’s tomb and garden is an entire series of interesting structures. To see them, you’ll enter via the Arab Sarai Gateway constructed in the 1560s.
The compound within once housed the Persian craftsmen who came to Delhi to work on Humayun’s mausoleum.
Today, the main structure within is the Isa Khan Mausoleum. This is another structure that predates Humayun’s reign. Constructed in the 1540s, it belongs to Isa Khan, a noble who served Sultan Sher Shah Suri.
It’s based on the Lodi style of architecture, named after the Afghan dynasty that ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1451-1526.
The octagonal structure is topped with small domes on each side, while its surrounded by thick sandstone pillars. It makes for an interesting contrast with the later Mughal style.
Other structures in the area include Bu Halima’s Garden-Tomb, the Afsarwala Tomb and Mosque, the Arab Serai Bazaar, and Bu Halima’s Garden-Tomb. You might end up spending just as much time in this southwestern area as you do at Humayun’s tomb itself!
There are, in fact, dozens more ancient tombs and mausoleums in this part of Delhi, but I didn’t have time to seek them all out. But just near the site entrance, now situated within a roundabout, is Sabz Burj.
An example of Timurid architecture from the 1530s, its ceiling is topped with real Lapis Lazuli.
The nearby Sunder Nursery is also said to contain additional tombs, but keep in mind that an entrance ticket is required.
The Tomb of Safdarjung
When it comes to Mughal architecture in Delhi, one of the top hidden gems is the Tomb of Safdarjung. It’s located in southwest Delhi near the Jorbagh metro station, and at the time of writing, tickets cost Rs 300 for foreigners.
The tomb was built in 1753, making this one of the most ‘recent’ landmarks featured in this guide. And it’s widely regarded as one of the last great Mughal mausoleums.
It enshrines Mirza Abul Mansur Khan – better known as Safdarjung – who served as the Governor of Awadh during the reign of Emperor Muhammad Shah (r. 1719-1748). It was commissioned by his son, Nawab Shuja-ud-Daulah.
So while it might belong to a relatively obscure historical figure, it’s nonetheless one of the most striking Mughal monuments in Delhi. And considering how it’s off the tourist trail, you won’t have to share it with many other visitors. In fact, I had it largely to myself.
The Tomb of Safdarjung’s main architect was a man named Bilal Muhammad Khan. And architecturally, it follows the same ‘Char Bagh’ pattern of a garden divided into four equal squares that we saw at Humayan’s tomb.
The main mausoleum consists of two stories and measures out to 18.29×18.29 m. Like many Mughal monuments before it, consists of a mix of marble and red sandstone.
Notably, this tomb is the first example of one of this style being built for a mere noble rather than a member of the imperial dynasty.
But Safdarjang was indeed quite powerful. Later during the reign of Emperor Ahmad Shah Bahadur, he was appointed prime minister, and his power grew to the extent that the emperor was merely a figurehead. But he was ultimately ousted from power.
While this tomb might not have a lot to set it apart from better-known Mughal monuments, it’s still a beautiful structure and a pleasure to explore. And conveniently, it’s located a ten-minute walk from the next location in this guide, Lodhi Garden.
Lodhi Garden
Spread out over 90 acres, Lodhi Garden is a public city park that offers free access to all. But it also has plenty to offer history buffs.
The garden and general area were named after the Lodi Sultans, who, as mentioned above, were an Afghan dynasty that ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1451-1526. As such, this site is entirely pre-Mughal.
There are several structures to explore within the park. One of the most significant ones is Shish-Gumbad. While historians are unsure, it may entomb the first Lodi Sultan, Bahlol Lodi, who died in 1489.
The Tomb of Sikandar Lodi, meanwhile, belongs to the second ruler of the Lodi Dynasty who ruled from 1489-1517. The nearby Bara-Gumbad Mosque was also built during his reign.
While not at all related to history or architecture, the Lodhi Garden is located just north of the Lodhi Art District, the best place in Delhi to see modern street murals.
And as mentioned, it’s also an easy walk to the Tomb of Safdarjung.
Mehrauli Archaeological Park / Qutab Minar
Located in the far south of Delhi, the Mehrauli Archaeological Park was established in 1997 and contains over 400 historical structures. You can get there via the Qutab Minar metro station.
Before going further, it needs to be pointed out that the Mehrauli Archaeological Park and Qutab Minar are actually two distinct sites, despite neighboring one another. Mehrauli charges foreigners Rs 500, while Qutab Minar charges Rs 600.
By Indian standards, that’s quite a lot to pay for what should really just be one unified site.
While the Qutab Minar is indeed visible from Mehrauli Archaeological Park, you won’t be able to get up close to it from there.
This is something I was unaware of before my visit, and upon paying for the ticket, I wasn’t too pleased to learn I’d need another one just to get closer to the minaret.
If I had to do things over again, I would’ve just explored the outer perimeters of Mehrauli Archaeological Park before moving on to Qutab Minar.
Mehrauli could be likened to an even bigger version of Lodhi Garden, and it’s in fact over double the size. While we can’t cover everything, an interesting landmark near the entrance is Jamal Kamali’s Mosque and Tomb.
It belongs to a court poet who served both the late Lodi and early Mughal rulers, and some of his verses are inscribed within. The structurem itself dates to Emperor Humayun’s reign.
In the core of the park, just past the official ticket gate, is a small lake and on-site restaurant. And walking up some steps, you’ll reach the Tomb of Muhammad Quli Khan.
Constructed in the early 17th century, the tomb belongs to the son of Emperor Akbar’s wet nurse. Controversially, the East India Company civil servant Thomas Metcalfe later converted this tomb into his residence in the 1800s.
Nearby is a small museum called the Mehrauli Interpretation Center, which is situated in a structure renovated by Metcalfe to house his guests. The museum is simple, but details the area’s rich archaeological history.
And it’s from here that visitors to the Mehrauli Archaeological Park can get the best view of the Qutab Minar. But as mentioned, those on a budget should save their money to see the iconic minaret from up close instead.
But what is the Qutab Minar and why is it famous? Standing at 73 m high, it’s the world’s tallest brick minaret. It was built by the Ghurid Dynasty, the founders of the Delhi Sultanate, in the late 12th century.
The Ghurids hailed from Afghanistan and were ethnic Tajiks, and this stunning minaret was built to commemorate a military victory over Delhi’s last Rajput ruler.
(The Delhi Sultanate’s history is confusing, but the Ghurids were the first of five dynasties to rule it, with the Lodis being the last.)
Notably, the Ghurids are also responsible for Afghanistan’s most famous minaret, the Minaret of Jam, which was built around the same time. (But as opposed to being located in a bustling city, that minaret is situated in the absolute middle of nowhere and takes days to reach!)
Given the size of the park, it shouldn’t be a surprise that there’s still lots more to see, such as the 13th-century Balban’s Tomb. Other structures, meanwhile, include a set of tombs – one Lodi and another Mughal – that are situated near a Mughal-era horse stable.
Arguably the most impressive part of the park is a large stepwell known as Rajon ki Baoli. And behind it, you can find multiple different tomb structures.
While not part of the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, the neighborhood is also home to Yogmaya Temple, which is believed to have been established by the Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata.
Additional Info
Delhi is a massive, sprawling city. On the one hand, you’re going to be doing a lot of moving around no matter where you stay. But the more you’re able to avoid Delhi traffic, the better.
Neighborhood aside, the Delhi metro system is a really convenient and affordable way to explore the city. So wherever you choose to stay, you’ll want to be sure that you’re within easy walking distance from the nearest station.
With that said, let’s take a look at some popular districts:
Connaught Place
This is considered Delhi’s fancy commercial district, while it’s very central in terms of location and metro access. There are countless restaurants in the area, though it’s not an ideal place for budget travelers.
Some top-rated hotels in the area include Hotel Palace Heights and The Imperial, New Delhi. If your budget is a bit tighter, Hotel Jukaso Inn Down Town seems like a good option.
Paharganj
Paharganj, located right near New Delhi Railway Station, is the capital’s traditional backpacker district. It’s a chaotic and crowded mess, but there’s no denying its convenience in terms of location.
I can’t say I’m a fan of Paharganj, but it’s definitely the best way to enjoy central New Delhi on a budget. I recently stayed at Sarthak Palace which was fine for the modest price I paid.
But to my surprise, there were hardly any international tourists there during my recent visit compared with my first stay some 15 years prior. Paharganj now seems to be catering to mostly domestic travelers.
South Delhi
For my next trip to Delhi, I’d consider making South Delhi, or somewhere near the Lodhi Garden, my base. Traffic is more relaxed here, while there are plenty of cool cafes to choose from. You also have easy access to some ancient tombs.
Lutyens Bungalow is highly rated but expensive. Further south, Skylink Suites Bed & Breakfast and South Haven Residency are more budget-friendly (as mentioned, be sure to double-check if your hotel is near a metro station).
Old Delhi?
While it’s worth a visit, I would avoid staying within Old Delhi (Chandni Chowk area), as it’s just too chaotic – even by Delhi standards!