Delhi has various important monuments for which tourists are always attracted. India's capital has more sights than any other city in India, but they are concentrated in three distinct areas -- Old Delhi, New Delhi, and South Delhi (known as the Qutb Minar Complex) -- which can be tackled as separate tours or grouped together.
Most organized tours spend a half-day covering the top attractions in New Delhi, and another half-day exploring the 17th-century capital, Shahjahanabad.

Delhi is the heart of India and is a gateway to India. Delhi attracts not only Indian citizen but people from all over the world are attracted to it. Commonly referred to as "Old Delhi," Shahjahanabad lies a mere 5km (3 miles) north of centrally located Connaught Place, the commercial heart of New Delhi, but it feels a hundred years away (400 to be exact). If you do only one sightseeing excursion, make it here, for this is most authentically India, where imposing Lal Qila (Red Fort) and Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque,Pay testament to the vision and power of Shah Jahan, and the chaos and pungent smells from the overcrowded and ancient streets are a heady reminder that you are far from home. Surrounding and immediately south of Connaught Place is New Delhi, built by British imperialist architects Baker and Lutyens. Its primary attractions are the architectural gems centered around Rajpath and Rashtrapati Bhavan, official residence of the president of India. Of Delhi's remaining cities, all of which are today deserted and in ruins, only the 12th-century Qutb Minar, a World Heritage Site monument built in Delhi's first city and surprisingly intact, is definitely worth inclusion in your itinerary.


Red Fort: Located a few kilometers from Connaught Place, the red sandstone ramparts of the massive Red Fort (Lal Qila) rise 33m (108ft) above the clamor of 'Old' Delhi as a reminder of the magnificent power and pomp of the Moghul emperors. Inside is a veritable city within a city. The Diwan-e-Aam and the Diwan-e -Khas are a peep into the splendid life of the Mughal court. Each carving and the halls hearken to the times when luxurious living was a by word for magnificence. From separate rooms and balconies for women, to swimming pools and natural air conditioning, unique architectural features have been incorporated.

Jama Masjid: Travel down the arterial road to enter the portal of Jama Masjid. The great mosque of 'Old' Delhi is synonymous with the second largest religion in India and is the largest in India. Named after the Prayer or Juma day, it was built in 1644 by Shah Jahan. Plain and austere, it suffers in comparison with the resplendent Taj Mahal and Red Fort that the same emperor built. Yet, it is a monumental tribute to a living religion that spread over India and most of the world, after its origin in medieval times. Constructed with red sandstone and white marble, the mosque has three great gateways, four towers and two 40m (135ft) high minarets. Proper sartorial etiquette must be followed and you can hire robes at the northern gate. Its courtyard has enough space for 25,000 devotees to gather in prayer.

Humayun's Tomb: -the last monument of the great Mughals within the city also falls on the same arterial road. Built in the mid-16th century by the senior wife of the second Mughal emperor, this is the first important example of Mughal architecture in India. The ramparts overlook a building with high arched entrances topped by an onion dome. The tomb is surrounded by formal gardens in a style that inspired the later magnificent structures, such as the Taj Mahal. The gardens also contain the red-and-white sandstone and black-and-yellow marble tomb of Humayun's wife and, even the tomb of Humayun's barber.

Qutab Minar: The superb buildings in this complex were built with the coming of Muslim rule in India. The Qutab Minar soars to a 72m/240ft-high and is built as a tower of victory. Started in 1193, immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi it was completed after 3 generations. This is reflected even in the building materials. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone, the fourth and fifth storeys of marble and sandstone. Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid (Might of Islam Mosque) forms the base. The tower rises to five storeys, gradually tapering from a huge 15m (50ft) diameter base to just 2.5m (8ft) at the top. Each storey is distinct and marked by a projected balcony. The stairs are difficult to climb and entering the Minar is not permitted. Even seeing it from the outside however, is an unforgettable experience.

A 7m (23ft) high iron pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque. Popular legend has it that if you can encircle it with your hands, any wish of yours will be fulfilled. Enjoy trying to encircle the iron pillar for good fortune, when you travel to Delhi, India.

Purana Qila: is believed to have been built on Indraprastha, the original city of Delhi in historical timelines. It was built by the Afghan ruler, Sher Shah, during the brief interregnum in the Mughal Empire. He completed the fort during his reign from 1538-45. It marks a return to the earlier Afghan style with massive walls and three large gateways. The small octagonal red sandstone tower, the Sher Mandal, inside the fort near the South gate, was later used by Humayun as a library. In 1556, Humayun fell from its stairs and was injured fatally. The Qila-i-Kuhran Mosque, or Mosque of Sher Shah, is nearby and still manages to give a fair idea of its grandeur. There is a small archaeological museum just inside the main gate.