Hauz Khas Complex: Exploring the Hidden Gem of Delhi
Hauz Khas Complex is a peaceful, easy to explore group of 13th and 14th century monuments in a park-like setting.
It’s next to Deer Park and the gentrified Hauz Khas Village, where you can wander around the cafes, restaurants and boutiques after exploring the historic site.
Delhi is one of the oldest cities in the world, and I often bring visitors here on their first day to experience some of its history without the crowds and chaos of other major sites.
How to Visit Hauz Khas Complex
Finding Hauz Khas Complex is easy once you’re in Hauz Khas Village. It’s located at the very end of the main street. Only authorized vehicles are allowed in Hauz Khas Village, so it’s relatively pedestrian friendly.
I recommend you buy tickets online in advance through the Archeological Survey of India website. The ticket booth doesn’t always have change and sometimes they’re late opening.
Hauz Khas Complex and Hauz Khas Fort are the same place. There was never a fort here.
Hauz Khas Complex is not mobility impaired friendly. There are walking paths around the ruins, and you can see a lot from the paths, but exploring the ruins themselves involves steep, uneven stairs with few guardrails.
Hours and Cost at Hauz Khas Complex
Officially, Hauz Khas Complex is open 10:30 am – 7:00 pm, every day. I have gotten in much earlier in the past, so if you’re there early you can try your luck.
Tickets are INR 300 for foreigners if bought onsite, and INR 250 online on the ASI site. Children under 15 are free.
How to Get to Hauz Khas Complex
The Hauz Khas Complex is central and easy to get to. The best way to get there depends on how far away you are to start with.
If you’re not in south or central Delhi, the best way is by metro. Delhi has an excellent metro system. It’s user friendly, clean and safe. I honestly can’t praise the Delhi metro system enough.
The nearest metro stations to Hauz Khas Complex are Green Park (Yellow line), exit Gate 4 and IIT (Magenta line), exit Gate 3. You’ll have to walk from the metro stations or take an auto rickshaw the rest of the way.
If you’re already in south or central Delhi, you can use Uber or take an auto rickshaw. Both are cheap and widely used in Delhi. Drivers can only take you as far as the entrance gate at Hauz Khas Village.
Don’t confuse Hauz Khas with Hauz Khas Village. They are different and 1.7 km apart. The historic complex is in Hauz Khas Village.
Exploring the Ruins at Hauz Khas Complex
The ruins at Hauz Khas Complex were built as part of the second medieval city of Delhi, Siri. Delhi is the site of 8 medieval cities, and these ruins belong to the second of those.
The name Hauz Khas means ‘royal tank.’ It was named for the giant reservoir built during the reign of Alauddin Khilji (1296 – 1316).
The royal reservoir is still there, it’s often called Hauz Khas Lake. You can easily see it from the complex, and you can walk around it from Deer Park.
As soon as you enter the complex you will see six stone pavilions on the grassy lawn with chhatris (open domes), some built over tombs. Chhatris are typical of Indo-Islamic architecture.
Tomb of Firoz Shah Tughlaq
One of the most prominent monuments at the Hauz Khas Complex is the tomb of Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
Firoz Shah was the third ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty and ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1351 to 1388.
He is considered by many to be the greatest of the Tughlaq rulers and known as a reformer king. He expanded the kingdom and built many reservoirs (like the one at Hauz Khas Complex), canals and hospitals.
There are four graves inside the tomb, that of Firoz Shan, his son, grandson and the fourth is unknown. If you look closely, you’ll see verses from the Quran inscribed in the decorative medallions on the domed ceiling.
Madrasa
The Firoz Shahi Madrasa is the largest of the historic structures at Hauz Khas Complex. It stretches from one end to the other. At the time it was the largest madrasa in Delhi and the most important Islamic seminary in the eastern world.
Mosque
The mosque is at the far side of the complex (on your right if you are facing the ruins). It’s gated off and you can’t walk through it, only around part of the exterior.
While walking toward the mosque, you’ll pass an open structure with many columns and a three-domed roof. This was used as an assembly hall.
You can see the mosque much better from Deer Park. If you take the walking path around the reservoir you’ll get very good views of the mosque.
See Hauz Khas Mosque from Deer Park
Deer Park is right beside the Hauz Khas Complex, but there is no direct way between the two.
You have to enter Deer Park from the main entrance just outside Hauz Khas Village. It’s easy to find. Just walk back up the main road of Hauz Khas Village past the entrance gate. Deer Park is immediately on the left.
Deer Park is one of the largest green spaces in Delhi. It’s a favourite park of locals, and has some spectacular historic monuments of its own. Admission is free.
Hauz Khas Village and Deer Park
Hauz Khas Complex is located inside Hauz Khas Village, which is next to Deer Park. Both are worth exploring.
Hauz Khas Village is Delhi’s most gentrified urban village. It has an eclectic mix of shops, cafes and bars. If you explore the back lanes you’ll come across residences, a mosque and street food stands. It’s a favourite night time destination for Delhiites.
Delhi expanded rapidly post-Partition and many villages were incorporated into the municipality. These villages were given special status and exempt from many by-laws, resulting in a lot of ad-hoc building.
Deer Park is one of the Delhi’s nicest parks. It is home to several historic monuments from the Tughlaq and Lodhi periods, the most impressive being the Bagh i Alam Ka Gumbad, built in 1501.
This part of south Delhi is very historic, and there are many ancient mausoleums, mosques and dargahs scattered over this section of the city.
Where to Eat on Your Visit to Hauz Khas Complex
There are lots of good restaurants in Hauz Khas Village.
One of my favourites is Social. They have an outdoor terrace with fantastic views of the Hauz Khas ruins. The food and drinks are very good, and it’s a popular spot at night. There’s a great energy here.
Coast Cafe and Naivedyam are also really excellent, but you won’t get those incredible views. They are at the top of the main lane in Hauz Khas Village.
You can also eat in Green Park Market (see below). It’s a 15 minute walk from the village and has some great casual eateries.
Where to Stay Near Hauz Khas Complex
Hauz Khas Complex is in South Delhi, an excellent area to stay in for exploring the city. This is also a greener and generally nicer part of Delhi.
I like these hotels and guest houses that are close to Hauz Khas Complex:
- Hyatt Regency Delhi (luxury): 5 star hotel with the best hotel bakery in Delhi.
- Thikana Delhi (mid-range): Excellent bed and breakfast in one of Delhi’s most exclusive neighbourhoods.
- Prakash Kutir B&B (budget): Best budget bed and breakfast in Delhi.
Hauz Khas Village has a lot of Airbnbs. I used to stay here myself, but I found the village too noisy at night with partygoers, and the traffic on Hauz Khas Road at night can be very bad. It can literally be faster to walk back to the village at night than take an Uber.
I much prefer Green Park, which is just around the corner. It’s an affluent and much quieter residential enclave. An Airbnb here is a great choice.
What Else to See Within Walking Distance of Hauz Khas Complex
There are several noteworthy sites you can easily check out after the Hauz Khas complex. All are an easy walk from Hauz Khas Village and free.
Jagannath Mandir (Shri Neelanchal Seva Sangh)
This is a unique South Indian temple, beautifully carved in marble.
It’s dedicated to the Hindu god Jagannath who is an avatar of Lord Krishna, one of the most important Hindu gods. Inside the shrine effigies of Lord Krishna and his brother and sister are dressed daily, including jewelry.
The temple is on Hauz Khas Road, about a 10 minute walk from Hauz Khas Village. Everyone is welcome, but shoes must be removed.
Tombs of Green Park
Green Park is the name of the neighbourhood around the corner from Hauz Khas Village. It has six gorgeous tombs from the 15th century, the Green Park Tombs.
At that time, this whole area was full of mausoleums, and these are the few that remain. You probably passed the small Choti Gumti and Sakri Gumti on your way to Hauz Khas Village – they are right on two corners of Hauz Khas Road and the main Green Park road.
Green Park Market
This is the main market of Green Park, and it has practically everything in a pedestrian friendly setting. I really like this market (my hair dresser is here), and often eat here when in the area.
Green Park Market has Starbuck, Tim Horton’s, clothing stores, pharmacies, fruit and vegetable stands, tailors, and some excellent casual restaurants like A2B, Evergreen Sweet House, Veg Gulati and Haldiram’s.
Last Words on Hauz Khas Complex: Exploring the Hidden Gem of Delhi
Spending a day exploring the ruins of Hauz Khas Complex, having lunch in the village, seeing the view from Deer Park, and walking over to Green Park Market for coffee while checking out the tombs on the way is a perfect day in Delhi.
Put on comfortable shoes, grab a bottle of water and have a wonderful day visiting these lesser known gems.
