Forgotten Monuments Of Delhi & Where They Stand Now

A city with a history as rich as Delhi naturally makes for a home for several monuments that tell stories of its past which are often not well known. While famous buildings like the Red Fort and Qutub Minar are revered across the world and have been thoroughly documented, a number of lesser-known monuments in Delhi silently endure as reminders of bygone ages. These overlooked monuments provide special insights into the city's architectural and cultural legacy, despite frequently being eclipsed by its more well-known rivals.

Forgotten Monuments of Delhi

Chor Minar

The gloomy 13th-century Chor Minar, often known as the "Tower of Thieves," is tucked away in the posh neighbourhood of Hauz Khas. This 225-hole tower, which was commissioned by Alauddin Khilji, is thought to have served as a deterrent by displaying the severed heads of thieves and criminals. Today, the busy metropolis surrounding it has mostly forgotten its morbid past, and it stands unnoticeably amid apartment buildings.

Nearest metro: Hauz Khas metro station, part of the Yellow and Magenta line of the Delhi metro station, is 600 m away.

Bijay Mandal

Located in Sarvapriya Vihar, Bijay Mandal is an incomplete architectural project that was finished by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq after being credited to Alauddin Khilji. Originally intended to be a "1,000-pillared palace," it currently stands as a ramshackle building on an elevated platform with an octagonal pavilion that provides sweeping city vistas. Despite being surrounded by contemporary construction, Bijay Mandal is nevertheless a reminder of Delhi's complex past.

Nearest metro: Hauz Khas metro station, part of the Yellow and Magenta line of the Delhi metro station, is 500 m away.

Khirki Masjid

The 14th-century Khirki Masjid, also known as the "Masjid of Windows," is located in Khirki Village close to Malviya Nagar and was constructed by Feroz Shah Tughlaq's prime minister, Junan Shah. This unusual building, which blends Hindu and Islamic architectural elements, is distinguished by its many windows and partially covered roof, which were uncommon for mosques of the era. Even with its architectural importance, more notable monuments continue to eclipse it.

Nearest metro: Malviya Nagar metro station, part of the Yellow line of the Delhi metro station, is roughly two kms away.

Ala-i-Minar

The Ala-i-Minar, an ambitious undertaking by Alauddin Khilji, is located within the Qutub Minar complex. Construction halted after Khilji's death, leaving behind a 23 m high rubble masonry core that was supposed to be twice as tall as the Qutub Minar. This incomplete monument serves as a reminder of how fate and time have limited imperial ambitions.

Nearest metro: Qutub Minar metro station, part of the Yellow line of the Delhi metro station, is roughly two kms away.

Adilabad Fort

Muhammad Bin Tughlaq built Adilabad Fort in the 14th century, near the more famous Tughlaqabad Fort. Despite being in ruins now, it provides a panoramic perspective of the surrounding area and exemplifies the Tughlaq dynasty's architecture skill. Visitors frequently ignore the fort's ruins, which include colossal gateways and bastions that tell tales of a bygone era.

Nearest metro: Tughlaqabad metro station, part of the Violet line of the Delhi metro station, is roughly five kms away.