Mehrauli

File:Gandhi visiting Mehrauli 1948.jpg visiting the dargah of Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, on his Urs, 27 January 1948.]]

Mehrauli is one of the seven medieval cities that make up the present union territory of Delhi.

The Lal Kot fort was constructed by the Tomar chief Anangpal I around 731{{nbsp}}AD and expanded by Anangpal II in the 11th{{nbsp}}century,{{cite book|author=Rahul Khari|title=Jats and Gujars: origin, history and culture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1lGgAAAAMAAJ|access-date=28 September 2011|date=5 January 2007|publisher=Reference Press|isbn=978-81-8405-031-8|quote=In the contemporary Delhi, there are about 75 villages inhabited by the Gujars out of which 12 villages happened to be in Mehrauli where Gujars belonging to Tomar clan dwell, who call themselves 'Tanwar'.}} who shifted his capital to Lal Kot from Kannauj. The Tomars were defeated by the Chauhans in the 12th century. Prithviraj Chauhan further expanded the fort, which is now Qila Rai Pithora. He was defeated and killed in 1192 by Mohammed Ghori, who put his general Qutb-ud-din Aybak in charge and returned to Afghanistan.

Subsequently in 1206, after the death of Mohammed Ghori, Qutubuddin enthroned himself as the first Sultan of Delhi. Thus Delhi became the capital of the Mamluk dynasty of Delhi (Slave dynasty), the first dynasty of Muslim sultans to rule over northern India. Mehrauli remained the capital of the Mamluk dynasty which ruled until 1290. During the Khilji dynasty, the capital shifted to Siri.{{cite web |title=Seven Cities Of Delhi: Mehrauli| url = http://delhigovt.nic.in/dept/prj/visitor/city.asp?opt=2 |publisher=Government of Delhi Official website|access-date = 16 September 2006}}

File:Balban's tomb, Mehrauli.jpg, Mehrauli]]

In 12th-century Jain scriptures, the location is also mentioned as Yogninipura, now noticeable by the presence of the "Yogmaya Temple", near the Qutub Minar complex, believed to have been built by the Pandavas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.india9.com/i9show/Yogmaya-Temple-28482.htm|title=Yogmaya Temple in New Delhi India|website=www.india9.com}}

It was also the execution place of Banda Singh Bahadur after he sacked the regional Mughal capital of Samana.

Mehrauli lies in the South district of Delhi at {{coord|28|30|57|N|77|10|39|E |region:IN-DL_type:city}}. To its north lies Malviya Nagar. Vasant Kunj lies to its West and Tughlakabad to its south.

Like the rest of Delhi, Mehrauli has a semi-arid climate with high variation between summer and winter temperatures. While the summer temperatures may go up to 46 °C, the winters can seem freezing to people used to a warm climate with near 0 °C.

The soil of Mehrauli consists of sandy loam to loam texture. The water level has gone down in the recent past hovering between 45 m to 50 m due to rise in population.{{cite web |title=Rainwater level in Delhi |url=http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/index_files/pt_gadipur.htm |access-date=15 September 2006}}

[[Ahinsa Sthal is a 13 feet 6 inches Mahaveer single rock idol.|thumb]]

File:Jamali Kamali Masjid, Mehrauli.jpg complex, Mehrauli Archaeological Park]]

File:Iron Pillar, Delhi.jpg in the Qutb complex]]File:Urs_Khwaja_Qutab_Sahb.jpg at Mehrauli]]

Though Mehrauli is like any ordinary neighborhood today, its past is what distinguishes it in terms of architecture.

Ahinsa Sthal is a Jain temple in Mehrauli. The main deity of the temple is Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara (human spiritual guide) of a present half cycle of time. A magnificent statue of Tirthankara Mahavira is installed here.

Even though the capital shifted from Mehrauli after the Mamluk dynasty rule came to an end, many other dynasties contributed significantly to Mehrauli's architecture.

The most visible piece of architecture remains the Qutub Minar which was built by Qutb ud-Din Aibak with subsequent additions by Iltutmish and Alauddin Khalji.{{cite web | title = Article on Delhigate.com | url = http://www.delhigate.com/qt_index.htm | access-date = 16 September 2006 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060906212132/http://www.delhigate.com/qt_index.htm | archive-date = 6 September 2006 }} The Qutb Minar complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site,{{cite web | title = UNESCO website | url = https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/233 | access-date = 16 September 2006}} and also the venue for the annual Qutub Festival.Mausoleum of a 13th-century Sufi saint, Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, is also situated near the Qutub Minar Complex and the venue for the annual Phoolwalon-ki-sair Festival. The dargah complex also houses graves of later Mughal emperors, Bahadur Shah I, Shah Alam II, and Akbar II, in an adjacent marble enclosure. To the left of the dargah, lies Zafar Mahal, the summer palace of the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar{{Cite web|last=Ahmed|first=Syed Zeeshan|date=2016-11-25|title=The passageways of Delhi's Zafar Mahal echo a forgotten past|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1298379|access-date=2021-05-13|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}} along with Moti Masjid, a small mosque, built for private prayer by the son of Aurangzeb, Bahadur Shah I.

Balban's tomb belonging to Balban, Mamluk dynasty ruler of Delhi Sultanate was constructed here in the 13th century can still be seen through in a dilapidated condition. The architecturally important structure as it is the first true arch in Indo-Islamic architecture. Another tomb, that of Balban's son, Khan Shahid, who died before he could be crowned, is also located nearby in Mehrauli Archeological Park.

A baoli or stepwell known as Rajon Ki Baoli was constructed in 1506 during Sikandar Lodhi's reign. It was used to store water though it is now completely dried and is now known as Sukhi Baoli (dry well).{{cite news |title=Well worth a visit |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/well-worth-a-visit/456832/ |publisher= Indian Express|date=10 May 2009 }}

The Jamali Kamali Mosque was built in 1528,[http://ignca.nic.in/asp/showbig.asp?projid=sdtmmjk0001 Jamali Kamali] Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. in honour of the Sufi saint Shaikh Hamid bin Fazlullah, also known as Dervish Shaikh tahaJamali Kamboh Dihlawi or Jalal Khan. The saint's tomb built-in 1536 upon his death is adjacent to the mosque.

Near the Jamali Kamali lies the tomb of Quli Khan, which during the British period was converted into a country house by the Metcalfe family. Known as 'the retreat' or 'Dilkhusha', this was built by Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe in true English style as a pleasure retreat by surrounding it with many rest houses, follies, and gardens. 'Dilkhusha' in Urdu means "Delight of the Heart".

The Adham Khan's Tomb was constructed by Mughal Emperor Akbar in memory of his foster brother and general Adham Khan in 1566. The tomb, also known as Bhulbhulaiyan, as one could get lost in the labyrinth of its passages,[http://www.the-south-asian.com/Oct2001/Qutub%20Complex2.htm Qutub Complex] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603104535/http://www.the-south-asian.com/Oct2001/Qutub%20Complex2.htm |date=2008-06-03 }} www.the-south-asian.com. it was later used by the British as a residence, rest house and even as a police station. Close to Adham Khan's tomb, lies that of another Mughal General, Muhammad Quli Khan,{{Cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/g_c/223042603/|title=Tomb of Muhammad Quli Khan|date=23 August 2006|via=Flickr}} later it served as the residence of Sir Thomas Metcalfe, governor-general's agent at the Mughal court.[http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/addorimss/t/019addor0005475u00081vrb.html The tomb of Muhammad Quli Khan, brother of Adham Khan,..] British Library. The Mehrauli Archaeological Park spread over 200 acres, adjacent to Qutb Minar site was redeveloped in 1997.

Most of the monuments and heritage buildings in Mehrauli today lie in a state of despair. Due to unplanned urban sprawl especially after the Partition of India, most havelis, mosques and baolis were occupied and razed to build houses. Poor restoration and conservation have led to the disappearance, encroachment and vandalization of many heritage buildings.{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Ishita |date=2023-12-15 |title=The Afterlife of Zafar Mahal |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2023/Dec/15/the-afterlife-of-zafar-mahal-2641596.html |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=archaelogical park mehrauli bad condition |url=https://www.bing.com/search?q=archaelogical+park+mehrauli+bad+condition&FORM=HDRSC1 |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Bing |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Delhi: Aurangzeb ki Baoli lost in the sands of time |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/delhi/report-delhi-aurangzeb-ki-baoli-lost-in-the-sands-of-time-2628211 |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=DNA India |language=en}}

In February 2024, a controversy erupted after the Delhi Development Authority demolished a 600-year-old mosque, madrasa and several graves without any prior notice.{{Cite news |date=2024-02-09 |title=Mehrauli: A mosque demolished, and orphans displaced in India |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-68137664 |access-date=2024-02-09 |language=en-GB}} The demolition was criticized by several historians and scholars.{{Cite web |last=Sadhwani |first=Garima |date=2024-02-07 |title='Erasing History': Rana Safvi on Akhunji Mosque Demolition in Delhi's Mehrauli |url=https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/mehrauli-akhunji-mosque-demolition-historian-rana-safvi |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=TheQuint |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-02-05 |title=Calling it illegal, DDA demolished mosque in Mehrauli; ASI records listed it a century ago |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/calling-it-illegal-dda-demolished-mosque-in-mehrauli-asi-records-listed-it-a-century-ago-9144295/ |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}

Post Delhi's 2022 municipal delimitation, the Mehrauli assembly constituency (AC-45) comprises 3 municipal wards, which are Lado Sarai (ward 154), Mehrauli (ward 155), and Vasant Kunj (ward 156).{{cite report |date=September 2022 |title=Delimitation 2022 - Draft |url=https://sec.delhi.gov.in/sec/delimitation-2022-draft |publisher=State Election Commission, Delhi |docket= |access-date=10 September 2024}} Of these, ward 155 is reserved for women, while the other two are unreserved.{{cite news |date=30 November 2022 |title=Delhi MCD polls 2022: Mehrauli Constituency Wards After Delimitation |url=https://news.abplive.com/delhi-ncr/delhi-mcd-election-2022-mehrauli-constituency-three-wards-polling-schedule-total-electoral-issue-details-1562243 |work=ABP News |location=New Delhi |access-date=10 September 2024}}

As of September 2024, AAP's Naresh Yadav is the MLA of Mehrauli. The councillor for Lado Sarai is Rajeev Sansanwal (AAP), for Mehrauli is Rekha gajender yadav (AAP), and for Vasant Kunj is Jagmohan Mehlawat (BJP).{{cite web |url=https://sec.delhi.gov.in/sec/list-elected-councilors-2022 |title=List of Elected Councilors - 2022 |date=7 December 2022 |website=sec.delhi.gov.in |publisher=State Election Commission, Delhi |access-date=10 September 2024}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/12/stories/2005041209800400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129033744/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/12/stories/2005041209800400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 November 2014 |title=Satbir Singh elected Mayor of Delhi |date=12 April 2005 |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=26 July 2018}}

• UDAAN play school Mehrauli
• St. John's School
• St.Maria School
• Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Memorial School
• Lareesa Public School
• I.G. Delhi Public School
• Saraswati Bal Vidya Mandir
• Ramanujan Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya
• Government Boys' Senior Secondary School-2
• Government Boys' Senior Secondary School-3
• Suryathan Play School
• Prince Public School
• Dargah wala school

{{main|27 September 2008 Delhi bombing}}

Concealed in a black polythene bag, a tiffin box bomb was dropped by two unidentified persons riding a motorcycle in Mehrauli's Sarai electronic market on 27 September 2008, killing 3 people and injuring 23 others.{{cite news |date=28 September 2008 |title=Blast in Mehrauli area in Delhi|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blast-in-mehrauli-area-in-delhi/articleshow/3536896.cms |work=Times of India |location=Faridabad |access-date=10 September 2024 }}

• Indira Gandhi International Airport is approximately 17 km.
• 18 km approximately from New Delhi Railway Stations
• Nearest metro station is Qutab Minar Metro Station.
• Adam Khan Tomb - Also known as Bhool Bhulaiya is situated next to Aggarwal Sweets and near Bus Stand.
• Gandhak ki Baoli - It is an ancient step well located near Mehrauli Post Office.
• Rajon Ki Baoli - 16th century stepwell near Gandhak ki Baoli
• Yogmaya Temple - Around 1 km from Qutub Minar and about 100 meters prior to Bus Stand.
• Village Roads - Village roads in Mehrauli are known in the neighborhood as narrow poorly maintained roads. Non-licensed street vendors/hawkers are very common sites on these roads.
• Zafar Mahal (Mehrauli) is situated adjacent to the shrine of Hazrat Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Qaki R.A.
• Dadabari Jain Mandir is situated on Sri Dev Puri Ashram marg, Opposite Qutub Minar Metro station.{{cite web |url= http://nmma.nic.in/nmma/builtDetail.do?refId=11687&dynasty=72|title=Dadabari Jain Mandir |publisher= National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities

}}

• Madhi Masjid - A Remnant Of The Lodhi Era, Madhi Masjid is a 15th Century fortified mosque.{{cite news|url= https://www.thedelhiwalla.com/2019/03/24/city-monument-madhi-masjid-mehrauli |title= CITY MONUMENT – MADHI MASJID, MEHRAULI |author=Mayank Austen Soofi |date=24 March 2019|work= thedelhiwalla.com }}

{{cmn|colwidth=20em|rules=yes|

• Greater Kailash
• Chanakyapuri
• Chandan Hola
• Lajpat Nagar
• Nehru Place
• Safdarjung New Delhi
• South Extension
• Kishangarh Village
• Vasant Kunj
• Shahpur Jat
• Khanpur
• Sanjay Van

}}

File:Tomb of Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, Mehrauli.jpg|Tomb of Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, Mehrauli.

File:Tombs of Shah Alam and Akbar II, c1890s.jpg|The tombs of Mughal Emperor, Shah Alam II and his son Akbar II within Kaki mausoleum complex

File:Madhi Masjid entrance gateway, Mehrauli.jpg|Madhi Masjid entrance gateway, Mehrauli.

File:The bastion of Lal Kot fort, Mehrauli, Delhi.jpg|The bastion of Lal Kot fort, Mehrauli

File:Adham Khan tomb, Mehrauli, Delhi.jpg|Adham Khan's Tomb, Mehrauli.

File:Gandhak ki Baoli, Mehrauli.jpg|Gandhak ki Baoli, stepwell, Mehrauli.

File:Zafar Mahal ruins.jpg|Zafar Mahal built first by Akbar Shah II in the 18th century with addition by Bahadur Shah Zafar II.

File:Jahaz Mahal on the bank of Hauz-i-Shamsi tank.jpg|View of Jahaz Mahal from Hauz-i-Shamsi.

File:Bagichi Ki Masjid, Mehrauli.jpg|Bagichi Ki Masjid, Mehrauli Archeological Park

File:Rajon ki Baoli's baoli.jpg|Rajon ki Baoli, the stepwell

File:Jahaz Mahal on the bank of Hauz-i-Shamsi.jpg|Jahaz Mahal on the bank of Hauz-i-Shamsi

File:Jamali Kamali tomb interior.jpg|tahaJamali Kamali tomb interior

File:Dilkusha with Qutb Minar in the background, Mehrauli.jpg|Tomb of Mohammad Quli Khan, brother of Adham Khan, a general of Mughal Emperor, Akbar, later turned into a country house Metcalfe House or Dilkusha by Sir Thomas Metcalfe, near Qutb complex

File:Zafar Mahal, Mehrauli, New Delhi.jpg|Zafar Mahal, the last monument built under the Mughal Empire.

File:Remains of baoli in Mehrauli (3703319898).jpg|Remains of a baoli in Mehrauli.

File:Smaller pavilion now being used as some sort of residence,Baagh e Naazir, Mehrauli, New Delhi.jpg|Pavilion in Baagh e Naazir.

File:Jharna (3703342006).jpg|Jharna Mahal.

File:Wall at the edge of Mehrauli (3703316944).jpg|Ruins of a monument in Mehrauli.

File:Late mughal sandstone facade at the back of the buddhist shrine,Baagh e Naazir, Mehrauli, New Delhi.jpg|Mughal-era facade in Baagh e Naazir

File:Dalan in Mehrauli (3703281856).jpg|Dalan in Mehrauli.

• Neighbourhoods of Delhi

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Mehrauli}}

• [https://books.google.com/books?id=aqqBPS1TDUgC&dq=Adham+Khan%27s+Tomb&pg=PA104 All About Delhi] Delhi, the Capital of India, by Anon. Asian Educational Services, 1997. {{ISBN|81-206-1282-5}}.

• [https://www.flickr.com/photos/knowledge-must/sets/72157623582485513/ Collection of Photographs Capturing Mehrauli's Diversity]

{{Neighborhoods of Delhi}}

Category:Neighbourhoods in Delhi

Category:Mamluk dynasty (Delhi)

Category:South West Delhi district

Category:District subdivisions of Delhi