Also Known As · Hauz Khas Fort · Royal Tank
New Delhi, Delhi · fort
Fourteenth-century madrasa and tomb terraced above a lake and deer park, wrapped by a buzzing café village — medieval romance in South Delhi.
The Hauz Khas Complex is one of South Delhi's most romantic historic sites — a cluster of 14th-century Sultanate ruins strung along the edge of a large royal reservoir, with a green deer park on one side and the lanes of Hauz Khas Village on the other. The name means Royal Tank: the lake was first excavated around 1300 by Alauddin Khalji to supply water to his nearby city of Siri, and half a century later Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq had it desilted and built a grand madrasa (Islamic college) and his own tomb along its southern and eastern banks.
Vegetarian-friendly cafés and coffee spots overlooking the ruins
Pure-veg South Indian dosas and North Indian thalis
Veg-friendly casual dining and street snacks
The Hauz Khas Complex is one of South Delhi's most romantic historic sites — a cluster of 14th-century Sultanate ruins strung along the edge of a large royal reservoir, with a green deer park on one side and the lanes of Hauz Khas Village on the other.
the monument carries a small ticket, while the deer park and the lakeside are free; the ruins are open through the day, and the deer park opens early for walkers. Late afternoon into sunset is the loveliest and most photogenic time. Allow an hour or two for the ruins and lake, and more if you plan to eat and browse in the village. Wear comfortable shoes — the medieval steps and terraces are uneven.
Visiting Hours
Entry Fee: Small ASI ticket for the monument (approx ₹20–₹25 Indian, ₹250–₹300 foreign nationals; children under 15 free). Deer Park and lakeside are free. Verify at the gate.
Verified: July 2026
Address
Hauz Khas, near Deer Park, New Delhi, Delhi, 110016
Beside Hauz Khas Village and the A. N. Jha Deer Park
🚇 Nearest Metro: Hauz Khas (Yellow & Magenta Lines) — about 1.5 km; Green Park (Yellow Line)
🚶 Walking from Metro: From Green Park metro it is a flat 15–20-minute walk (about 1.5 km) to the village and complex.
Distance from
Parking
nearby · ₹30–₹50 (paid)
Paid parking near the Hauz Khas Village entrance; limited and busy on weekend evenings.
🚕 Ride Hailing Tip: Uber and Ola drop at the Hauz Khas Village gate; walk through the lanes to reach the ruins and lake.
How to Reach: The complex is in Hauz Khas, South Delhi. Nearest metro: Hauz Khas (Yellow and Magenta Lines), about 1.5 km, and Green Park (Yellow Line). Autos, Uber and Ola drop at the Hauz Khas Village entrance, a short walk from the ruins.
History
The reservoir was excavated around 1300 by Sultan Alauddin Khalji to supply his city of Siri with water.
🏛️ Architect: The complex is a fine example of Tughlaq architecture — austere, sloping stone walls, low domes, arched cells and colonnaded halls stepping down toward the water, with Firoz Shah's square domed tomb at the junction of the two madrasa wings.
Significance
Hauz Khas is one of Delhi's most evocative Sultanate-era sites — a rare surviving medieval college and royal tank, and today a place where 14th-century ruins, a deer park and a contemporary café village sit side by side.
Family Highlights
💰 Equipment Fees: Free for personal photography; professional and pre-wedding shoots require permission.
📍 The Golden Spot: The madrasa colonnade and Firoz Shah's tomb silhouetted against the lake at sunset.
🌅 Best Light Time: The last 90 minutes before sunset (golden hour over the water).
🌅 Secret View: The lower terrace at the corner where the madrasa meets the tomb frames the whole lake at sunset — the classic Hauz Khas shot.
🎯 Crowd Hack: Come on a weekday afternoon: the ruins are quiet and the village fills only after dark.
💎 Secret Fact: The lake was dug around 1300 by Alauddin Khalji to supply the city of Siri; Firoz Shah Tughlaq added the madrasa and his tomb around 1352.
⚡ Express Tour
60 minutes — the madrasa terraces, the tomb and the lake view.
🔭 Deep Dive Tour
Half day — the ruins and deer park at golden hour, then dinner in the village.
👕 Dress Code: No dress code; comfortable shoes for the steps and terraces.
📷 Photography Rules: Personal photography is free. Tripods and professional or pre-wedding shoots require permission. Drones are prohibited.
🏧 Nearest ATM: ATMs in Hauz Khas Village and Green Park (within 1 km).
The monument carries a small ASI ticket (about ₹20–₹25 for Indians and ₹250–₹300 for foreign nationals, with children under 15 free), while the adjoining deer park and lakeside are free to enter.
Hauz Khas station (Yellow and Magenta Lines) and Green Park (Yellow Line) are each about 1.5 km away; from there it is a short auto ride or walk to the village and ruins.
Late afternoon into sunset, October to March — the low light over the lake is the site's signature view, and the ruins are calm before the village gets busy after dark.
Yes — the complex overlooks a large 14th-century royal reservoir, and the adjacent A. N. Jha Deer Park is home to spotted deer, peacocks and rabbits along shaded walking trails.
Very — the village lanes beside the ruins are full of cafés and restaurants, many of them vegetarian-friendly, making it easy to combine sightseeing with a good coffee or meal.
The tank was dug around 1300 by Alauddin Khalji to supply the city of Siri; Firoz Shah Tughlaq later added the madrasa and his tomb along its banks around 1352.
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