Hidden Monuments of Delhi You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Delhi’s history goes far beyond its famous forts and tombs. Tucked away in quiet neighbourhoods are forgotten structures that once shaped the city’s past. From ancient bridges to lost minarets, these lesser-known monuments offer a fascinating peek into Delhi’s layered heritage.

Azim Khan’s Tomb - Mehrauli Badarpur Road, South Delhi

Azim Khan’s Tomb is a 17th-century Mughal mausoleum built for a general of the imperial army. It crowns a rocky hillock along the Mehrauli-Badarpur Road and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. The tomb has a square plan topped by a domed roof and offers views across the old Mehrauli landscape.

Biran Ka Gumbad - Green Park, South Delhi

Often overlooked in heritage walks, Biran Ka Gumbad is a small domed tomb dating to the Lodhi era (or possibly earlier) and stands within Aggrasen Park in Green Park Extension. The monument is surrounded by a residential neighborhood and isn’t signposted, which adds to its “hidden gem” status.

Chaumachi Khan’s Tomb - Nai Basti, Mehrauli

This Mughal era tomb belongs to a lesser-known noble and is tucked into the older lanes of Nai Basti, Mehrauli Village. The structure has a simple octagonal plan and once had chhatris (kiosks) on the corners of its platform.

Hastsal Minar (Mini Qutub Minar) - Hastsal Village, Uttam Nagar

Sometimes called the “Mini Qutub Minar”, this 17th-century Mughal tower was built as a lookout or hunting tower by Shah Jahan near his hunting lodge at Hastsal. It stands in the heart of Hastsal Village in West Delhi and is now engulfed by housing.

Qila Rai Pithora - Mehrauli & South Delhi Ruins

Qila Rai Pithora refers to the remnants of Lal Kot, the fortified city built by the Tomar dynasty (c. 1052 CE) and later expanded by Rajput and Delhi Sultanate rulers. Today, only scattered fort walls and ruins survive, visible in South Delhi around Mehrauli, Saket, Sanjay Van, Kishangarh and Vasant Kunj areas.

Satpula (Seven-Arched Bridge) - Near Khirki Village, Saket

Satpula is a remarkable 14th-century Tughlaq water harvesting weir-cum-bridge that once regulated irrigation for the southern reaches of the medieval city of Jahanpanah. It’s located near Khirki Masjid and Press Enclave Road (Saket/Malviya Nagar area).

Wazirpur Monument Complex - Sector 5, R.K. Puram

Hidden away in the residential neighbourhood of Rama Krishna Puram (R.K. Puram Sector 5) is a small cluster of Lodhi dynasty monuments, including multiple tombs, two mosques (qiblas), a baoli (stepwell), and a grave platform. This complex, often called the Wazirpur Complex, is rarely on mainstream travel lists.

Why These Monuments Matter

Delhi’s lesser-heard monuments trace the city’s story through centuries, from the earliest fortified urban settlement (Qila Rai Pithora) to medieval water engineering (Satpula), Mughal architectural quirks (Mini Qutub & Azim Khan’s Tomb), and forgotten necropolises tucked into today’s residential grids. These places are not just ruins; they’re living echoes of Delhi’s evolving identity.