South Delhi

Most of the early settlements of Delhi, including its first cities, are to be found not in "Old Delhi" but in SOUTH DELHI, the area south of Connaught Place and Rajpath. Although the rapid expansion of suburban Delhi is swallowing up the countryside, the area remains littered with monuments from the past, and pockets of almost untouched rural peace make it a fascinating blend of the contemporary, the pastoral and the historic. This mix of urban and rural is at its most startling in the housing enclaves and shopping precincts, such as the fashionable Hauz Khas, that have sprung up over the last few years throughout the vast area of South Delhi.

• Ashoka's Rock Edict
  The emperor Ashoka's Rock Edict was discovered in 1966, engraved on a rock overlooking the Yamuna near Srinivaspuri, 11km southeast of Connaught Place, not far from Kalkaji.

• Baha'i Temple and Kalkaji
  This distinctive lotus shaped marvel in marble is surrounded by a landscaped garden and is a symbol of peace. This has been dubbed the "Taj Mahal of the 21st century".

• Delhi Zoo
  One of the finest zoological parks in the country, it houses the largest number of white tigers.

• Hauz Khas
  Hauz Khas, the Soho of Delhi, is a wealthy suburban development, packed with boutiques and restaurants, 12km southwest of Connaught Place. The "village", as it is known, is just off Aurobindo Marg (or the Delhi–Mehrauli Road), which leads from the centre to the Qutab Minar Complex, and adjacent to a pleasant deer park.

• Humayun's Tomb
  The Tomb was built by Humayun's widowed Queen Haji Begum, in the 16th century AD. Architecturally the forerunner of the Taj Mahal, it stands in Nizamuddin which shows the Mughal architecture at its best.

• Khirki-ki-Masjid
  Firoz Shah's Khirki-ki-Masjid, "The Mosque of Windows", famous for its heavy stone lattice windows, lies in the middle of one of South Delhi's villages close to the site of Jahanpanah, Delhi's fourth city, 4km east of Qutab Minar and 13km south of Connaught Place.

• Lodi Tombs
  Evidence of the sixth city, said to have been built by the Sayyid and Lodi dynasties is found only in the tombs and mosques in the famous Lodi Gardens, which is a favourite point for early morning walkers from the posh south Delhi colonies.

• Moth-ki-Masjid
  The Moth-ki-Masjid, built during the reign of Sikandar Lodi (1488–1517), is now all but abandoned, isolated in a rural setting within the rapidly spreading suburbs of south Delhi, 2km from Hauz Khas off the Delhi–Mehrauli Road.

• Nizamuddin
  Now engulfed by a busy road network and plush suburbs, the mahalla (neighbourhood) of Nizamuddin is almost isolated from the rest of the city; to enter it is like passing through a time warp into the Middle Ages.

• Purana Qila
  Purana Quila, the old fort.The fort was built by the great Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri in the 16th century A.D. aptly on the banks of the river Yamuna. Now Boating facilites are available here. A Sound and Light Show depicting 5000 years of Delhi’s past is held by Delhi Tourism every evening both in Hindi and English.

• Qutab Minar Complex
  The Qutab Minar made of red sandstone rising to the height of 72.5mts is an architectural marvel of the 13th century. Also a must is the visit to Ashoka Pillar dating back to the 5th century. Though made of iron it has with stood the weathers of time.A very interesting belief is assigned to this pillar- Stand with your back to the pillar, and if you can hold your hands around it, then make a wish and it will surely come true. Try it.

• Rail Transport Museum
  Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri, New Delhi
  Open:9.30 A.M. To 7.00 P.M.(Jan. to Sep.)
  9.30 A.M. To 5.30 P.M.(Oct. To Dec.), Closed: Monday
  Located in the southern part of Delhi close to the diplomatic area the museum exhibits, 140 year old history of Indian Railways. Main attractions are the Fairie Queen of 1885 the oldest working steam locomotive, the luxury saloon of the Prince of Wales and the saloon of the Maharaja of Mysore.

• Safdarjang's Tomb
  This marble domed mousoleum was the last famous Mughal monument built in Delhi in 1753-54, by the son of the second Nawab of Oudh. It is a son's tribute to his father, the Wazir of Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah.

• Tibet House
  Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi (Tel. 24611515)
  Open: 9.30 A.M. To 5.30 P.M., Closed: Sat. & Sun
  The museum depicts the richness of Tibetan culture and art. It has a collection of thankas, old currency notes, head pieces, prayer objects and musical instruments. The building also houses a library and an emporium.

• Tughlakabad
  Tughluqabad, built during the short reign of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq (1321–25). After Ghiyas-ud-din the city was deserted, probably because of the lack of a clean water source. The huge ruins are almost entirely diminished, overgrown with scrubland and home to nomadic Gujars and rhesus monkeys – which is seen by some as a fulfilment of a curse by the Sufi saint, Sheikh Nizamuddin Aulia.

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• Central New Delhi
  
• Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad)