Delhi is a living, breathing history of India’s past. For those of us who call it home, there’s always something new to discover, no matter how well we think we know its streets and stories. it world heritage weekWe turned to the city’s heritage walk experts to uncover the hidden corners of Delhi that rarely feature in guidebooks or social media feeds. We asked people who have spent years digging into the historical layers of Delhi to answer a simple question: “Which is your favorite hidden heritage site in Delhi?”

Ramit Mitra: Kushk-e-Firoz, Ferozshah Kotla Fort

Ramit Mitra is the founder of DelhiByFoot Adventures and as the name suggests, he is on foot – to every monument in and around the city! For those connoisseurs of Delhi history, the Ferozeshah Kotla Fort, spanning both Old and New Delhi, is a poignant reminder of the city’s past.

“The ruins of the 14th-century fort of ‘Kushk-e-Firoz’ (Palace of the Firoz), adjacent to which is the famous Ferozshah Kotla cricket stadium, are still largely unknown, shrouded in mystery… Genies A mystery related to the fakirs (supernatural spirits) and fakirs (wandering dancers) of Delhi in 1351 AD by Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq. This medieval palace-fort built on the coast is the most prominent marker of the fifth city of Delhi. What makes it a must-see are the ‘dead’ ruins – say historians. The Sultan’s residence, the meeting hall, Delhi’s only circular stepwell and the huge palace mosque, dotted with beautifully landscaped gardens, shaded by canopy trees. The most striking feature is a shining stone pillar that stands atop a three-storey pyramidal structure near the mosque, bearing the Ashoka inscription, which was purchased and installed by the Sultan in his palace around 640 years ago. The ruins of perhaps help to understand our city – straddling the past and the modern, acting as a bridge between the ancient India of Ashoka, medieval Sufi mysticism and modern India, like Delhi. Right in the middle of a bustling modern metropolis,” he shared.

Abu Sufyan: Jamali Kamali Tomb

As winter approaches, many tourists will start visiting Humayun’s Tomb or the beautiful nursery. But Abu Sufyan, founder of the Old Delhi-based cultural initiative Purani Dilli Walon Ki Baatein, suggests exploring the Jamali Kamali tomb hidden inside the Mehrauli Archaeological Park. These tombs contain the remains of Jamali, the 16th-century Sufi saint and poet, whose verses earned him a place of reverence in the courts of the Lodhi and Mughal emperors. Next to him is Kamali, whose identity has been lost to the pages of time – some say that Kamali was Jamali’s disciple or companion, while others believe that the bond between them was deeply personal and spiritual.

“Although the site itself may not be very obscure, what makes it special to me is the fact that very few people are lucky enough to see the inside of the Jamali Kamali Tomb. I am one of them. The stories related to the Sufi tradition that Jamali was a supporter of become clear as soon as one enters the tomb. Inside, you will see incredible and intricate craftsmanship that is perhaps not present in any other monument in Delhi. The ceiling, in particular, is filled with such intricate inlay work; It feels like the stars are right above you. I took a picture of the ceiling while lying on the floor. There is probably no other place where the mysticism of Sufism feels like a constant companion,” he adds.

Sachin Bansal: Tughlakabad Fort

Along the Badarpur-Mehrauli Road in South Delhi lie the ruins of a fort, scattered like memories that are far away from you. For Bansal, these abandoned remains of the Tughlaqabad Fort are treasures. Through initiatives like Delhi Walk, India City Walk and Smarak Mitra and Heritage Heroes under India Experience, Bansal aims to shed light on India’s heritage. A major part of the experiences compiled by him is the visit to “Battuta’s Blog” at Tughlaqabad Fort.

“We explore the world of the Sultans of Delhi and Hindustan as seen by Ibn Battuta in his famous book Rehla. We begin by covering the history of Tughlaqabad, discussing its significance and features and tracing the life of Ibn Battuta, who was a Moroccan traveller, who visited the Indian subcontinent during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. He wrote extensively about the region and provided rich insights about its fruits, cultural practices, politics and the Sultan’s court. “Their commentaries provide a vivid picture of life during this period in history, allowing us to experience key events and cultural highlights through fascinating excerpts from their travels,” he shared.

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