imported>Hajrakhala: Filled in 3 bare reference(s) with reFill 2

2021-07-24T22:05:20Z

Filled in 3 bare reference(s) with reFill 2

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Mehrauli Village
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| settlement_type = [[neighbourhoods of Delhi|Neighborhood of Delhi]]
| image_skyline = Qutub Minar (1).jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = [[Qutub Minar]]
| nickname =
| image_map =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = India New Delhi
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|28|30|57|N|77|10|39|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = India
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Delhi]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[List of districts of Delhi|South district]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| leader_title = MLA
| leader_name = Naresh Yadav
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total =
| population_as_of = 2001
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi]], [[English language|English]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 110 030
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 011
| registration_plate = DL-xx
| website =
| footnotes =
}}

'''Mehrauli''' is a neighbourhood in [[South Delhi]], a [[List of districts of Delhi|district]] of [[Delhi]] in India. It represents a constituency in the [[legislative assembly]] of Delhi. The area is located close to [[Gurgaon]] and next to [[Vasant Kunj]]. [[Naresh Yadav]] of [[Aam Aadmi Party]] is the current MLA from Mehrauli.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.india.com/news/india/delhi-assembly-election-constituency-wise-results-2015-complete-list-of-winning-mlas-277522/|title=Delhi Assembly Election Constituency Wise Results 2015: Complete list of winning MLAs|first=Aadil Ikram Zaki|last=Iqbal|date=10 February 2015|website=India News, Breaking News | India.com}}</ref>

==History==

[[File:Gandhi visiting Mehrauli 1948.jpg|left|180px|thumb|[[Mahatma Gandhi]] visiting the [[dargah]] of [[Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki]], on his ''[[Urs]]'', 27 January 1948.]]

Mehrauli is one of the [[History of Delhi|seven ancient cities]] that make up the present state of Delhi.

The [[Lal Kot]] fort was constructed by the [[Tanwar]] chief [[Anangpal]] I around 731{{nbsp}}AD and expanded by AnangPal II in the 11th{{nbsp}}century,<ref name="Khari2007">{{cite book|author=Rahul Khari|title=Jats and Gujars: origin, history and culture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1lGgAAAAMAAJ|access-date=28 September 2011|date=5 January 2007|publisher=Reference Press|isbn=978-81-8405-031-8|quote=In the contemporary Delhi, there are about 75 villages inhabited by the Gujars out of which 12 villages happened to be in Mehrauli where Gujars belonging to Tomar clan dwell, who call themselves 'Tanwar'.}}</ref> who shifted his capital to Lal Kot from [[Kannauj]].The Tanwars were defeated by the [[Chauhan]]s in the 12th century. [[Prithviraj Chauhan]] further expanded the fort and called it [[Qila Rai Pithora]]. He was defeated and killed in 1192 by [[Mohammed Ghori]], who put his general [[Qutb-ud-din Aybak]] in charge and returned to Afghanistan. Subsequently in 1206, after the death of Mohammed Ghori, Qutubuddin enthroned himself as the first [[Sultan of Delhi]]. Thus Delhi became the capital of the [[Mamluk dynasty of Delhi]] ([[Slave dynasty]]), the first dynasty of Muslim sultans to rule over northern India.<ref name="delhigovt"/> Mehrauli remained the capital of the Mamluk dynasty which ruled until 1290. During the [[Khalji dynasty]], the capital shifted to [[Siri Fort|Siri]].<ref name="delhigovt">{{cite web |title=Seven Cities Of Delhi: Mehrauli| url = http://delhigovt.nic.in/dept/prj/visitor/city.asp?opt=2 |publisher=[[Government of Delhi]] Official website|access-date = 16 September 2006}}</ref>

[[File:Balban's tomb, Mehrauli.jpg|right|thumb|[[Balban's tomb]], Mehrauli]]
In 12th-century Jain scriptures, the location is also mentioned as ''Yogninipura'', now noticeable by the presence of the "[[Yogmaya Temple]]", near the [[Qutub Minar]] complex, believed to have been built by the [[Pandavas]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.india9.com/i9show/Yogmaya-Temple-28482.htm|title=Yogmaya Temple in New Delhi India|website=www.india9.com}}</ref>

It was also the execution place of [[Banda Singh Bahadur]] due to [[religious persecution]].

==Geography and climate==
Mehrauli lies in the South district of Delhi at {{coord|28|30|57|N|77|10|39|E |region:IN-DL_type:city}}. To its north lies Malviya Nagar. Vasant Kunj lies to its West and Tughlakabad to its south.

Like the rest of Delhi, Mehrauli has a semi-arid climate with high variation between summer and winter temperatures. While the summer temperatures may go up to 46 °C, the winters can seem freezing to people used to a warm climate with near 0 °C.

The soil of Mehrauli consists of sandy loam to loam texture. The water level has gone down in the recent past hovering between 45 m to 50 m due to rise in population.<ref name="rainwater">{{cite web |title=Rainwater level in Delhi |url=http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/index_files/pt_gadipur.htm |access-date=15 September 2006}}</ref>

==Architecture==
[[File:Ahinsa_Sthal.jpg|[[Ahinsa Sthal]] is a 13 feet 6 inches [[Mahaveer]] single rock idol.|thumb]]
[[File:Jamali Kamali Masjid, Mehrauli.jpg|thumb|[[Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb]] complex, [[Mehrauli Archaeological Park]]]]
[[File:Iron Pillar, Delhi.jpg|right|thumb|[[Iron pillar of Delhi|Iron Pillar]] within the [[Qutb complex]]]]
Though Mehrauli is like any ordinary neighborhood today, its past is what distinguishes it in terms of architecture.

[[Ahinsa Sthal]] is a Jain temple located in Mehrauli, Delhi. The main deity of the temple is Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara (human spiritual guide) of a present half cycle of time. A magnificent statue of Tirthankara Mahāvīra is installed here.

Even though the capital shifted from Mehrauli after the [[Slave dynasty]] rule came to an end, many other dynasties contributed significantly to Mehrauli's architecture.

The most visible piece of architecture remains the Qutub Minar which was built by [[Qutb al-Din Aibak]] with subsequent additions by [[Iltutmish]] and [[Alauddin Khalji]].<ref name="delhigate">{{cite web | title = Article on Delhigate.com | url = http://www.delhigate.com/qt_index.htm | access-date = 16 September 2006 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060906212132/http://www.delhigate.com/qt_index.htm | archive-date = 6 September 2006 }}</ref> The [[Qutb Minar complex]] is today a [[UNESCO]] [[world heritage site]],<ref name="unesco">{{cite web | title = UNESCO website | url = https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/233 | access-date = 16 September 2006}}</ref> and also the venue for the annual [[Qutub Festival]].Mausoleum of a 13th-century Sufi saint, Khwaja [[Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki]], is also situated near the Qutub Minar Complex and the venue for the annual [[Phoolwalon-ki-sair]] Festival. The [[dargah]] complex also houses graves of later Mughal emperors, [[Bahadur Shah I]], [[Shah Alam II]], and [[Akbar II]], in an adjacent marble enclosure. To the left of the dargah, lies [[Zafar Mahal (Mehrauli)|Zafar Mahal]], the summer palace of the last [[Mughal Emperor]] [[Bahadur Shah Zafar]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ahmed|first=Syed Zeeshan|date=2016-11-25|title=The passageways of Delhi’s Zafar Mahal echo a forgotten past|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1298379|access-date=2021-05-13|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}}</ref> along with ''Moti Masjid'', a small mosque, built for private prayer by the son of [[Aurangzeb|Aurangeb]], [[Bahadur Shah I]]

[[Balban's tomb]] belonging to [[Balban]], [[Slave dynasty]] ruler of [[Delhi Sultanate]] was constructed here in the 13th century can still be seen through in a dilapidated condition. The architecturally important structure as it is the first true arch in [[Indo-Islamic architecture]]. Another tomb, that of Balban's son, Khan Shahid, who died before he could be crowned, is also located nearby in Mehrauli Archeological Park.

A ''baoli'' or [[stepwell]] known as ''[[Rajon Ki Baoli]]'' was constructed in 1506 during [[Sikandar Lodhi]]'s reign. It was used to store water though it is now completely dried and is now known as ''Sukhi Baoli'' (dry well).<ref name=exp2009>{{cite news |title=Well worth a visit |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/well-worth-a-visit/456832/ |publisher= [[Indian Express]]|date=10 May 2009 }}</ref>

The [[Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb|Jamali Kamali mosque]] was built in 1528,<ref>[http://ignca.nic.in/asp/showbig.asp?projid=sdtmmjk0001 Jamali Kamali] [[Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts]].</ref> in honour of the Sufi saint Shaikh Hamid bin Fazlullah, also known as Dervish [[Shaikh Jamali Kamboh]] Dihlawi or Jalal Khan. The saint's tomb built-in 1536 upon his death is adjacent to the mosque.

Near Jamali Kamali lies the tomb of Quli Khan, which during the British period was converted into a country house by the Metcalfe family. Known as ‘the retreat’ or ‘[[Metcalfe House|Dilkhusha]]’, this was built by Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe in true English style as a pleasure retreat by surrounding it with many rest houses, follies, and gardens. 'Dilkhusha' in the Urdu language means "Delight of the Heart".

The ''[[Adham Khan's Tomb]]'' was constructed by Emperor [[Akbar]] in memory of his foster brother and general [[Adham Khan]] in 1566. The tomb, also known as ''Bhulbhulaiyan'', as one could get lost in the labyrinth of its passages,<ref name=south>[http://www.the-south-asian.com/Oct2001/Qutub%20Complex2.htm Qutub Complex] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603104535/http://www.the-south-asian.com/Oct2001/Qutub%20Complex2.htm |date=2008-06-03 }} www.the-south-asian.com.</ref> it was later used by the British as a residence, rest house and even as a police station. Close to Adham Khan's tomb, lies that of another Mughal General, ''Muhammad Quli Khan'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/g_c/223042603/|title=Tomb of Muhammad Quli Khan|date=23 August 2006|via=Flickr}}</ref> later it served as the residence of [[Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe, 4th Baronet|Sir Thomas Metcalfe]], governor-general's agent at the Mughal court.<ref name=south/><ref>[http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/addorimss/t/019addor0005475u00081vrb.html The tomb of Muhammad Quli Khan, brother of Adham Khan,..] [[British Library]].</ref> The [[Mehrauli Archaeological Park]] spread over 200 acres, adjacent to Qutb Minar site was redeveloped in 1997.

==Politics==
In the [[2013 Delhi Legislative Assembly election]], [[Parvesh Verma]] of [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] was elected as the [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] of Mehrauli. He succeeded Yoganand Shastri, former Delhi Assembly Speaker affiliated to the [[Indian National Congress]]

Mehrauli Assembly Constituency comprises four municipal wards, namely, ward 169 [[Lado Sarai]] (W), ward 170 Mehrauli (GEN), ward 171 [[Vasant Kunj]] (SCW) and wards 172 [[Kishangarh]] (W). All four wards are represented by women councilors in the Municipal Corporation.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/12/stories/2005041209800400.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129033744/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/12/stories/2005041209800400.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=29 November 2014 | title=Satbir Singh elected Mayor of Delhi | date=12 April 2005 | newspaper=[[The Hindu]] | access-date=26 July 2018 }}</ref>

== Schools ==

* St. John's School
* St.Maria School
* Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Memorial School
* Lareesa Public School
* I.G. Delhi Public School
* Saraswati Bal Vidya Mandir
* Ramanujan Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya
* Government Boys' Senior Secondary School-2
* Government Boys' Senior Secondary School-3
* Suryathan Play School
* Prince Public School

==2008 blasts==
{{main|27 September 2008 Delhi bombing}}
Concealed in a black polythene bag, a bomb was dropped by two unidentified persons riding a motorcycle In [[27 September 2008 Delhi blast|Sarai]] Electronic Market in New Delhi on September 27, 2008. Exactly a fortnight after three of the capital's top markets were targeted by terrorists, a medium-intensity blast ripped through the congested flower market in [[South Delhi]]'s Mehrauli area killing at least two and injuring 22 others.

==Accessibility==

* [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]] is approximately 17 km.
* 18 km approximately from [[New Delhi railway station|New Delhi Railway Stations]]
* Nearest metro station is [[Chhatarpur]], Munirka, [[Rama Krishna Puram|R K Puram]], IIT [[Qutb Minar|Qutab Minar]] Metro Station.
* Adam Khan Tomb - Also known as ''Bhool Bhulaiya'' is situated next to Aggarwal Sweets and near Bus Stand.
* Gandhak ki Baoli - It is an ancient [[step well]] located near Mehrauli [[Post office|Post Office]].<ref name=exp2009/>
* [[Rajon Ki Baoli]] - 16th century stepwell near Gandhak ki Baoli<ref name=exp2009/>
* [[Yogmaya Temple]] - Around 1 km from Qutub Minar and about 100 meters prior to Bus Stand.
* Village Roads - Village roads in Mehrauli are known in the neighborhood as narrow poorly maintained roads. Non-licensed street vendors/hawkers are very common sites on these roads.

== Areas in South Delhi ==

* [[Greater Kailash]]
* [[Chanakyapuri]]
* [[Lajpat Nagar]]
* [[Mehrauli]]
* [[Nehru Place]]
* [[Safdarjung New Delhi]]
* [[South Extension]]
* [[Kishangarh Village]]
* [[Vasant Kunj]]
* [[Shahpur Jat]]
* [[Khanpur, Delhi|Khanpur]]
* [[Sanjay Van]]

==Historical architecture in Mehrauli==
<gallery>
File:Tomb of Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, Mehrauli.jpg|Tomb of [[Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki]], Mehrauli.
File:Tombs_of_Shah_Alam_and_Akbar_II,_c1890s.jpg|The tombs of Mughal Emperor, [[Shah Alam II]] and his son [[Akbar II]] within Kaki mausoleum complex
File:Madhi Masjid entrance gateway, Mehrauli.jpg|Madhi Masjid entrance gateway, Mehrauli.
File:The bastion of Lal Kot fort, Mehrauli, Delhi.jpg|The bastion of [[Lal Kot]] fort, Mehrauli
File:Adham Khan tomb, Mehrauli, Delhi.jpg|[[Adham Khan's Tomb]], Mehrauli.
File:Gandhak ki Baoli, Mehrauli.jpg|''Gandhak ki Baoli'', stepwell, Mehrauli.
File:Zafar Mahal ruins.jpg|[[Zafar Mahal (Mehrauli)|Zafar Mahal]] built first by [[Akbar Shah II]] in the 18th century with addition by [[Bahadur Shah Zafar II]].
File:Jahaz Mahal on the bank of Hauz-i-Shamsi tank.jpg|View of [[Jahaz Mahal]] from [[Hauz-i-Shamsi]].
File:Bagichi Ki Masjid, Mehrauli.jpg|Bagichi Ki Masjid, Mehrauli Archeological Park
File:Rajon ki Baoli's baoli.jpg|Rajon ki Baoli, the stepwell
File:Jahaz Mahal on the bank of Hauz-i-Shamsi.jpg|[[Jahaz Mahal]] on the bank of [[Hauz-i-Shamsi]]
File:Jamali Kamali tomb interior.jpg|Jamali Kamali tomb interior
File:Dilkusha with Qutb Minar in the background, Mehrauli.jpg|Tomb of Mohammad Quli Khan, brother of [[Adham Khan]], a general of Mughal Emperor, [[Akbar]], later turned into a country house [[Metcalfe House]] or ''Dilkusha'' by [[Sir Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe, 4th Baronet|Sir Thomas Metcalfe]], near [[Qutb complex]]
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Neighbourhoods of Delhi]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{commons category|Mehrauli}}
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=aqqBPS1TDUgC&pg=PA104&lpg=PA104&dq=Adham+Khan%27s+Tomb&source=web&ots=E35oh6jUwn&sig=MIHZ7BuIZdlMiAt6PvMARdAztPQ&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=9&ct=result#PPA104,M1 All About Delhi] ''Delhi, the Capital of India'', by Anon. Asian Educational Services, 1997. {{ISBN|81-206-1282-5}}.

==External links==
*[https://www.flickr.com/photos/knowledge-must/sets/72157623582485513/ Collection of Photographs Capturing Mehrauli's Diversity]

{{Neighborhoods of Delhi}}

[[Category:Mehrauli| ]]
[[Category:Neighbourhoods in Delhi]]
[[Category:Mamluk dynasty (Delhi)]]
[[Category:South West Delhi district]]

Mehrauli - Revision history

imported>Hajrakhala: Filled in 3 bare reference(s) with reFill 2