If one walks away from Qutub Minar searching for solace and solitude, the  Mehrauli Archaeological Park is the best one to visit. In the park there lies the tomb of Mohd Quli Khan who is the believed foster brother of the Akbar. Born to Maham Anga the rear mother of the emperor Akbar, Quli Khan was a common in Akbar’s army. Except that not much is known about the person to whom the tomb is devoted. The grand Mughal architecture is the testimony of Quli Khan’s importance in Akbar’s life. The date when it is built is not known, neither the name of the King who commissioned the memorial. The tomb look like the design of Mughal architecture with an entrance on alternative asides even the calligraphy on the walls, the medallions are either carve with Quranic verses or decorated with floral calligraphy. The memorial lies on an elevated platform covered by stairs on alternative sides to reach to the tomb. The memorial during the end of Mughal era was leased to Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe, who was an negotiator to the Governor of India to the imperial court of Bahadur Shah Zafar, The last Mughal emperor. The tomb was mention to as Dilkusha, meaning charm of the heart. These days, the monument is a prevented site, with whole Mehrauli Archaeological Park under the care and feeding of Archeological Survey of India.

HISTORY OF THE ATTRACTION

The monument’s exact year when it was built is not known with many speculating that it was constructed during Jahangir’s rule. The memorial is dedicated to Quli Khan who was a foster brother to Akbar and Quli Khan is believed to have served in the army of Akbar. The memorial was leased to Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe by last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar. The monument was stored by Metcalfe, who added some more elements to the memorial like gates and converted the monument into a destination for honeymoon used by Royal British officers. During the time of revolt in 1857, the memorial suffered some damage. Hence, with the passage of time, the tomb went through erosion. It was then INTACH, who took the responsibility of storing the monument to its original glory. The complex of the memorial was restored and refurbished. Today, however the memorial is covered by thick vegetations, with its wall disguised in the wild vegetations that have overtaken the complex. One of the many memorial under the Archaeological Survey of India, Quli Khan tomb is one memorial not to be missed.

GETTING THERE

The nearest metro station to reach Mehrauli Archaeological Park is the Qutub Minar metro station on the Yellow line of Delhi Metro. From there you can take an auto reach to the memorial.

THINGS TO DO IN & AROUND

One can befall the nearby Qutub Minar complex which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India. The Qutub complex is one of the major visitors attractions in Delhi. You can explore the memorials inside the Qutub complex. Also can explore the Mehrauli on a bicycle.

OPENING AND CLOSING TIMING

The Quli Khan’s Tomb is open all the days of the week from 6 am to 6 pm.

ENTRY FEES

There is no entry fee charges for visiting Quli Khan’s Tomb.

BEST TIME TO VISIT MUHAMMAD QULI KHAN TOMB

The monument can be befalled any time of the year, however during winters are the best time to explore Delhi.