Places to visit in Hauz Khas – Delhi Heritage Walks
Once upon a time, Hauz Khas was part of Siri – a city built by the Delhi Sultanate ruler – Allauddin Khilji. Today it is an affluent southern Delhi neighborhood. This area is definitely a great mix of old and the new. Read about all the places to visit in Hauz Khas and add them to your Delhi India Itinerary.
Read about other Delhi Heritage Walks
I lived in Delhi for 3 years and this post is a part of Delhi Heritage Walk series. Living and studying about history, encouraged me to travel more. Read other posts on the series
Places to visit in Hauz Khas – Delhi Heritage Walks
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History of Hauz Khas Historic Complex
Hauz Khas Complex is located in Southern part of Delhi. Hauz Khas derived its name from the two Urdu words, ‘Hauz’ meaning ‘water tank’ and ‘khas’ meaning ‘royal’. True to its name, Hauz Khas houses a royal water tank built by Alauddin Khalji (Delhi Sultanate). Along with the that, Hauz Khas complex has tombs of Muslim royalty from the 14th to 16th centuries, a mosque and pavilions with a medieval history traced to the Delhi Sultanate reign. The complex structures are made up of red sandstone and marble.
The large water tank or reservoir was built by Khilji was meant to supply water to the inhabitants of Siri (second medieval town of Delhi Sultanate). It stored water supply during rainy seasons. The lack of maintenance led to silting up of the channels that fed the tanks and it dried up. Thereafter Feroz Shah Tughlaq restored the water supply system to these tanks were restored during his reign.
Places to visit in Hauz Khas – Heritage Walk through the complex
There are many attractions located at the Hauz Khas complex – some phenomenal and some small.
- Deer Park
- Hauz Khas Royal Tank
- Assembly Hall
- Madrasa-e-Firoz Shahi
- Tomb of Firoz Shah
- Hauz Khas Village
We started at the entry gate of Deer Park situated near the main gate of Hauz Khas Village. As we entered the complex, we saw the medieval remains of the Delhi Sultanate. We walked around the Hauz Khas/ royal tank that was built as a part of the second city of Delhi by Alauddin khilji.
We took a stroll around the royal tank and witnessed an unusual T-shaped building (called the Assembly Hall). Just beside the Assembly Hall is the mosque of the complex which functioned as a place of prayer. There are other monuments within the complex as well like pavilions that stand scattered about the gardens and tombs of the teachers who taught in the madrasa (Islamic learning centre within the Hauz Khas complex).
We passed through the gardens and ruins to visit the Madarsa built by Firoz Shah, known as Madrasa-e-Firoz Shahi. Followed by the tomb of Firoz Shah, where Firoz Shah Tughlaq himself chose to have his own tomb built at a focal point of this complex.
(There were seven cities of Delhi in medieval times : Indraprastha, Siri Fort, Tughlaqabad, Jahanpanah, Firozabad (now Firoz Shah Kolta), Dinpanah, and Shahjahanabad)
Other then the restoration of the royal tank, Firuz Shah also constructed numerous structures within the Hauz Khas complex. Notable among them is the Firuz Shahi madrasa. The Madrasa was established in 1352 and it became one of the leading institutions of Islamic learning in the Delhi Sultanate, especially after the fall of Baghbad- Delhi became an important site for Islamic learning. The architecture of the madrasa was also splendid. The designed structure was built in L-Shape as one contiguous structure on the south and east edges of the reservoir complex.
There is also a small mosque, main tomb for Firoz Shah and six domed pavilions in the complex. Both the madrasa and mosque overlook the reservoir. From each floor of the madrasa, staircases are provided to go down to the lake. Many cenotaphs are also seen, which are reported to be possibly tombs of teachers of the Madrasa.
Firoz Shah’s tomb is also located within the complex. The tomb’s plain style is faithful to the austerity of much of Tughlaq buildings.
The Hauz Khas village was known in the medieval period for the amazing buildings built around the reservoir that drew a large congregation of Islamic scholars and students to the Madrasa for Islamic education. The present status of the village also retains the very old charm of the place with its aesthetic appeal with green parks, characteristic shops and market-places.
Hauz Khas Neighborhood Today
Today Hauz Khas village is an upbeat-posh-creative community. It has a plethora of eating areas and fashion and art boutiques.
Deer Park area is a lovely oasis for the residents and perfect for evenings and weekend getaways. The Deer Park along the Rose Garden constitutes one of the largest green areas in New Delhi. They provide fresh air in the otherwise polluted hustling bustling mega metropolitan Delhi.
Deer Park Hours: Entry to the Deer Park is free and it is open everyday.
- 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM during summer till October
- 5:30 AM to 7:00 PM during winter
Popular Cafes
Social, Kunzum Travel Cafe, Coast Cafe, TLR Cafe, Gunpowder, The Grey Garden, Elma’s Bakery
Hauz Khas Social is a popular place to dine and relax. Actually perfect for couples or a date night. Prices for meal for 2 people are roughly 2000 rupees (40 dollars approximately). This restaurant has really great reviews, so if you are in town, definitely check it out.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnqVOoHFEnO/?igshid=jjlw1acv45ku
Hotels in Hauz Khas
If you are staying in and around Hauz Khas for a couple of days, here are some recommendations
- Haveli Hauz Khas
- Refined Bed and Breakfast hotel in a heritage villa offering airy rooms
- Awesome park view from the hotel
- Book your stay here
- The Ashtan Sarovar Portico
- Located in the Green Park area
- Clean rooms, friendly staff
- Book your stay here
We recommend using HotelsCombined.com to find accommodation. It is our favorite hotels website for quickly comparing the prices of multiple hotel booking sites at once.
Galleries and Boutiques
Delhi Arts Gallery, Bodice, House of Blondie, All Arts
Shows and Events
Hauz Khas boasts of events of many kinds like – light and sound shows, comedy nights, heritage walks, poetry recitals, musicals to name a few
Travel Tips for visiting Hauz Khas Complex
Here are some quick tips for visiting Hauz Khas Complex.
- The Hauz Khas Village complex is open everyday. Timings – 10:30 am and 7:00 pm.
- Entry to Hauz Khas is completely free.
- Best time to visit is between October and March when the weather is pleasant
- Activities and top things to do in Hauz Khas – Picnic, photo-shoot, strolls, eating, creative pursuits, nature and heritage walks
- Postal Code 110016
Arriving in Hauz Khas
There are many ways to reach Hauz Khas from different Delhi neighborhoods.
Metro: Metro is fast and safe to travel. If you are using the metro, get down at ‘Green Park’ Metro station and take a e-rickshaw or walk to the Hauz Khas complex.
Metro lines – Yellow and magenta – will take you to the closest Hauz Khas metro station. Once there, you will have to walk 2 minutes to get to the historic complex.
Car: Driving to Hauz Khas is an option. Parking is available.
Cab/Private Transfers: There are private transfers available from tour services, which also includes a ride to Hauz Khas. You can completely customize the sightseeing areas, up to your taste and liking. Book your private tour and transfer here
This is an 8 hour tour and for 2 person, it is less then $100 USD. The reviews on GetYourGuide are positive. Check it out here
If you would like to go on a heritage tour of Hauz Khas Village, here is some information.
Photo Credit: Raghav from Ticker Eats the World. Edited by me.
Additional Readings
- Read what bloggers across the world, have to stay about traveling to India
- Visiting Hyderabad? Read this itinerary
Last Updated: December 07 2018
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Places to visit in Hauz Khas
