Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Situated near the Qutub Minar compelx, the Mehrauli Archaeological Park encloses a series of tombs, palaces, step-wells and ruins spanning the Sultanate, Mughal and British periods. Overlooked by most tourists, it’s worth a visit for its beautiful setting in a park and the sheer range of historical structures.
Start at the tomb of Balban, a powerful ruler of the 13th-century Delhi Sultanate. The building has three chambers, and also contains the grave of Balban’s son Khan Shahid. Situated nearby, the Jamali-Kamali tombs are so well-hidden that very few people know about their existence. Built during 1528-1529, it comprises of a mosque and the tombs of Jamali and Kamali. Jamali was the pen name of the poet Sheikh Fazlullah, while the identity of Kamali remains unknown. The interior is well-preserved and beautifully decorated with plasterwork and tiles. In spite of its glorious history, the place has gained attention for all wrong reasons. According to the locals, the monuments are haunted by djinns, which has adversely affected the number of visitors here. Whatever it is, the story of Jamali Kamali remains an unsolved mystery.

The Metcalfe House has an equally interesting history. Previously a 16th-century tomb, it was converted to a country house called Dilkusha by British Resident Thomas Metcalfe in the 1830s. Metcalfe built a landscaped garden around the house, along with several follies nearby, which command a spectacular of the Qutub Minar and the park.
Located further ahead, the Rajon ki Baoli is a grand 16th-century step-well which has four levels, and is linked to a mosque and tomb. Another step-well fed a sulphur spring called Gandhak ki Baoli also lies nearby. Step-wells were used as sources of water and provided respite during the summer months.