The name Mehrauli roughly translates to mean a 'Place of Blessings'.
This neighbourhood, which is probably the oldest continuously inhabited area of Delhi, has served as a centre of medieval kingdoms and empires, and has nurtured legends and cultural practices that define Delhi even today. Settled around these monuments, sacred shrines and tombs is the modern-day village of Mehrauli. It is said that this village developed around the shrine or dargah of Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki - its original inhabitants were devotees who perhaps wished to be close to this sacred space.
historic cities city tales
Mehrauli, one of the oldest areas in Delhi, is bound to be associated with local legends and stories. As the rulers entered through the gateways of the fortified city of Lal Kot, they aimed to conquer and establish power, and such motives resulted in stories that shaped the history of this area.
Explore some interesting tales that make Mehrauli what it is today - a village that stands in between its past and present.
Click below to know more about Mehrauli.
CITY TALES
Mehrauli, one of the oldest areas in Delhi, is bound to be associated with local legends and stories. As the rulers entered through the gateways of the fortified city of Lal Kot, they aimed to conquer and establish power, and such motives resulted in stories that shaped the history of this area.
Mehrauli was the abode of the first Sufi saint of Delhi - Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki. A native of Fergana in Uzbekistan, Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki arrived in Delhi in the early-thirteenth century, during the reign of Sultan Iltutmish.
A leader of the Chisti sect, and revered by many of the city's sultans, his teachings emphasised compassion, kindness and equality. He often organised semas- gatherings for music and poetry, all dedicated to the Divine.
When he passed away in 1235, he was buried and enshrined in a space near the Qutub Minar. Today, this shrine is considered a dargah; it is visited by thousands of devotees, all hoping to receive the blessings of this First Sufi Saint of Delhi.
In the thirteenth-century, the Indian subcontinent became a target of the Mongol invasions.
In 1299, an army of about 200,000 Mongols raided an area along the banks of the Yamuna river, close to Delhi; this was the first time they had managed to get so close to the capital of the Delhi Sultanate.
To combat this threat, the then Sultan, Alauddin Khilji initiated a new military strategy. He repaired and built new forts along the routes that the Mongol usually took, equipped them with weapons, rations and special armed forces. When the Mongols invaded again in 1305, the Sultanate was prepared for them. They were unable to enter Delhi, and a number of Mongols were captured and executed, and their heads - or ‘sir’- it is said, were buried in the foundations of Alauddin Khilji’s new fortress - Siri.
While Anangpal I ruled from Anangpur - a village now located in Faridabad, Anangpal II gave Delhi what is said to be its first fortified city, Lal Kot. Built in the eleventh century, remnants of the walls of Lal Kot continue to exist even today, a constant reminder of the historicity of Mehrauli and its surrounding areas.
This city of Lat Kot however, witnessed considerable changes when the Chauhans took control of Delhi. The city was further extended and was named Qila Rai Pithora after the Chauhan ruler, Prithviraj Chauhan. The walls of this extended city are noticeably different from the walls of Lal Kot. Ruins of the two walls continue to exist in parts of the urban settlement of Mehrauli.
Close to Mehrauli, is Sultan Ghari - the tomb of Prince Nasiruddin Mahmud, Sultan Iltutmish’s favourite son, who died in Bengal in 1229 AD. It is believed to be the first Islamic tomb of India.
The complex is approached through a marble doorway - perhaps the first time marble was ever used in construction. Inside is an octagonal structure, sunk into the ground - this is the roof of the underground tomb chamber. This sunken, low-roofed tomb was designed this way because it is believed Prince Nasiruddin had declared that he did not want a lavish tomb, and that upon his death, he be laid to rest in a pit. As a compromise, this royal prince was buried in a tomb with a ghaar - an underground, cave-like crypt.
The name Dilli is mentioned for perhaps the first time in a legend about the Iron Pillar of Mehrauli.
It is said that this pillar was perfectly balanced atop the head of Sheshnag, the Great Serpent King in Hindu Mythology. The Tomar king Anangpal II had been told that he would reign peacefully for as long as this pillar stood in its spot. He decided to test this prophecy, and against all advice, had the pillar uprooted. The people of his kingdom lamented- Killi to dhilli bhai (The nail-like Pillar has become loose) Tomar Bhaya mat kin (The Tomar's wish will remain unfulfilled.) ‘Dhilli’ became ‘Dilli’ ; shortly after, the Tomars were defeated by the Chauhans, and Anangpal’s kingdom was lost in the sands of time.
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What existed before the city of Lal Kot?
This vast amphitheater, constructed by digging into the hard quartzite rock of the Aravallis, is a medieval dam, known as Surajkund. Built either in the late 7th century by the Tomar king Surajpal, the dam was used to redirect the waters of the river Yamuna, to create a kund or a reservoir, for the inhabitants of Anangpur.
Anangpur was the first Tomar settlement in the area, inhabited briefly until king Anangpal II moved to the newly-built city of Lal Kot. Geologists say that the river Yamuna also once flowed around this village. Thanks to this location the area may have been home to early humans - archaeologists have excavated some fascinating prehistoric tools in Anangpur, hinting that this area of the country has a history that is far older than what we can see today.
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historic cities history
Mehrauli has witnessed a number of rulers come and go, roughly from the eighth century to the fourteenth century. In the later years as well, this area continued to attract the Mughals, the Lodis and the British who left their mark in and around Mehrauli. Surrounded by the first fortified city of Delhi - Lal Kot, Mehrauli’s history speaks of the might of medieval kings, their power and the city’s prosperity.
Click to explore the history timeline of Mehrauli.
history timeline code
History of Mehrauli
The Tomars, a Rajput clan, rule over Delhi from a village named Anangpur.
Anangpal II builds Lal Kot - the first fortified city of Delhi.
The Chauhans take control of Delhi by overthrowing the Tomars.
Prithviraj Chauhan extends Lal Kot and forms Qila Rai Pithora.
The forces of Muhammad Ghori defeat Prithviraj Chauhan and conquer Delhi. Qutubuddin Aibak is made in charge of Delhi. He constructs the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque.
Construction of the Qutub Minar begins under Qutubuddin Aibak.
Muhammad Ghori dies and Qutubuddin Aibak declares himself Sultan. With this, the Slave Dynasty is established in Delhi.
After the death of Qutabuddin Aibak, his son-in-law Iltutmish ascends to the throne. Iltutmish adds three new storeys to the Qutub Minar during his reign. In 1368, Firoz Shah Tughlaq adds a fifth storey to the Minar.
Iltutmish builds the tomb of his son - Sultan Ghari.
The famous Sufi Saint of Mehrauli, Qutabuddin Bhaktiyar Kaki dies. Despite his death, Qutub Sahab’s shrine continues to attract crowds.
Iltutmish dies in April and nominates his daughter, Raziya, as his successor. Sultan Raziya becomes the first woman Sultan of Delhi.
Sultan Raziya’s reign comes to an end.
Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah, grandson of Sultan Iltutmish, takes over the throne.
Sultan Balban ascends to the throne of Delhi. After his death in 1287 CE, Balban’s grandson, Kaiqabad rules over Delhi. He shifts the seat of power from Qila Rai Pithora to Kilugarhi.
Jalaluddin Firoz Khalji overthrows the Slave dynasty to establish the Khilji dynasty in Delhi. He continues to rule over Delhi from Kilugarhi.
Jalaluddin Firoz Khilji is murdered by his nephew, Alauddin Khilji. Alauddin Khilji seizes power.
Alauddin Khilji’s reign witnesses a number of Mongol invasions. To defend his kingdom, he builds a new city in Delhi - Siri.
Alauddin Khilji builds a southern gateway to the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque and calls it Alai Darwaza.
- Alauddin Khalji dies. He is buried near Qutub Minar.
Delhi changes hands and the Tughlaqs come to power.
Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq shifts the capital city and builds Tughlaqabad.
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city tables level 2
{"rows":[{"title":"Explore Mehrauli","field_audio":"","body":"","field_images":" \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/titlecard_0.jpg.webp?itok=kiON89Gd\u0022 width=\u0022736\u0022 height=\u0022700\u0022 alt=\u0022The area around Mehrauli has been witness to many firsts. Click on the coloured cards to uncover some of these historic firsts that even today define our idea of Delhi.\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n, \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/dargah_0.png.webp?itok=-0aJAH1c\u0022 width=\u0022736\u0022 height=\u0022700\u0022 alt=\u0022Mehrauli was the abode of the first Sufi saint of Delhi - Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki. A native of Fergana in Uzbekistan, Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki arrived in Delhi in the early-thirteenth century, during the reign of Sultan Iltutmish. A leader of the Chisti sect, and revered by many of the city\u0026#039;s sultans, his teachings emphasised compassion, kindness and equality. He often organised \u0022 title=\u0022semas - gatherings for music and poetry, all dedicated to the Divine. When he passed away in 1235, he was buried and enshrined in a space near the Qutub Minar. Today, this shrine is considered a dargah; it is visited by thousands of devotees, all hoping to receive the blessings of this First Sufi Saint of Delhi.\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n, \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/mongols_0_0.png.webp?itok=cZmp4KRq\u0022 width=\u0022734\u0022 height=\u0022700\u0022 alt=\u0022In the thirteenth-century, the Indian subcontinent became a target of the Mongol invasions. In 1299, an army of about 200,000 Mongols raided an area along the banks of the Yamuna river, close to Delhi; this was the first time they had managed to get so close to the capital of the Delhi Sultanate.\u0022 title=\u0022To combat this threat, the then Sultan, Alauddin Khilji initiated a new military strategy. He repaired and built new forts along the routes that the Mongol usually took, equipped them with weapons, rations and special armed forces. When the Mongols invaded again in 1305, the Sultanate was prepared for them. They were unable to enter Delhi, and a number of Mongols were captured and executed, and their heads - or \u2018sir\u2019- it is said, were buried in the foundations of Alauddin Khilji\u2019s new fortress - Siri.\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n, \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/lalkot_0.png.webp?itok=rzQFsCYI\u0022 width=\u0022736\u0022 height=\u0022700\u0022 alt=\u0022While Anangpal I ruled from Anangpur - a village now located in Faridabad, Anangpal II gave Delhi what is said to be its first fortified city, Lal Kot. Built in the eleventh century, remnants of the walls of Lal Kot continue to exist even today, a constant reminder of the historicity of Mehrauli and its surrounding areas.\u0022 title=\u0022This city of Lat Kot however, witnessed considerable changes when the Chauhans took control of Delhi. The city was further extended and was named Qila Rai Pithora after the Chauhan ruler, Prithviraj Chauhan. The walls of this extended city are noticeably different from the walls of Lal Kot. Ruins of the two walls continue to exist in parts of the urban settlement of Mehrauli.\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n, \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/tomb_0.png.webp?itok=4Y7JJfjY\u0022 width=\u0022736\u0022 height=\u0022700\u0022 alt=\u0022Close to Mehrauli, is Sultan Ghari - the tomb of Prince Nasiruddin Mahmud, Sultan Iltutmish\u2019s favourite son, who died in Bengal in 1229 AD.It is believed to be the first Islamic tomb of India.\u0022 title=\u0022The complex is approached through a marble doorway - perhaps the first time marble was ever used in construction. Inside is an octagonal structure, sunk into the ground - this is the roof of the underground tomb chamber. This sunken, low-roofed tomb was designed this way because it is believed Prince Nasiruddin had declared that he did not want a lavish tomb, and that upon his death, he be laid to rest in a pit. As a compromise, this royal prince was buried in a tomb with a ghaar - an underground, cave-like crypt.\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n, \u003Cimg loading=\u0022lazy\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/webp\/public\/2025-06\/IronPillar_0.png.webp?itok=uiTIFEV_\u0022 width=\u0022736\u0022 height=\u0022700\u0022 alt=\u0022The name Dilli is mentioned for perhaps the first time in a legend about the Iron Pillar of Mehrauli. It is said that this pillar was perfectly balanced atop the head of Sheshnag, the Great Serpent King in Hindu Mythology. The Tomar king Anangpal II had been told that he would reign peacefully for as long as this pillar stood in its spot. He decided to test this prophecy, and against all advice, had the pillar uprooted. The people of his kingdom lamented-Killi to dhilli bhai (The nail-like Pillar has \u0022 title=\u0022become loose) Tomar Bhaya mat kin (The Tomar\u0026#039;s wish will remain unfulfilled.) Dhilli became \u2018Dilli\u2019 ; shortly after, the Tomars were defeated by the Chauhans, and Anangpal\u2019s kingdom was lost in the sands of time.\u0022 typeof=\u0022foaf:Image\u0022 class=\u0022image-style-webp\u0022 \/\u003E\n\n\n","field_videos":"","nid":"3000950"}],"pager":{"current_page":0,"total_items":1,"total_pages":1,"items_per_page":10}}
