Alai Fort: Unveil History And Cultural Heritage Of Delhi

Alai Darwaza, also called the Gate of Alauddin or Alai Fort, is the south gate of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque located in the Qutb complex in Delhi. The fort was constructed by Sultan Alauddin Khalji in the year 1311 and was built of red sandstone. It is a square gatehouse with arched gateways and consists of a single chamber. It was of notable importance in Indo-Islamic architecture since Alai Fort was the very first Indian monument to be made using Islamic ways of construction and decoration.

Table of Contents

Location

Alai Fort is present in the main city of Delhi, allowing easy access to tourists for exploration.

Photo: Slyronit / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Alai Darwaza is the southern gateway of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in Qutub complex, Mehrauli, Delhi. The address of the fort is G5FP+M9C, Qutub Minar Complex Road in Mehrauli, New Delhi.

How To Reach Alai Fort

New Delhi railway station is the nearest connection to reach Delhi through rail to explore Alai Fort.

Photo: Ravi Dwivedi / Wikimedia Commons

You can reach Alai Fort Delhi through road, train or air:

By Road: The nearest bus stop to Alai Darwaza in Delhi is CGHS Dispensary. It’s a 5 minute walk away.

By Train: The nearest metro station to Alai Darwaza in Delhi is Shivaji Stadium. It’s an 8 min walk away. The nearest railway station, New Delhi Railway Station, is 15 km away.

By Air: The nearest airport is the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Places To Visit Near Alai Fort

1. Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar contains 399 steps, and is one of the most crowded and visited tourist attractions in Delhi.

Photo: Indrajit Das / Wikimedia Commons

The Qutub Minar is a majestic minaret and victory tower that is a part of the Qutub complex, which is situated in Delhi’s oldest fortified city, Lal Kot, which was founded by the Tomar Rajputs. It is declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was built around 1199 and 1220. The monument contains 399 steps, and is one of the most crowded and visited tourist attractions in the historic city. The iconic iron pillar in the complex courtyard offers the mosque a beautiful Indian aesthetic.

Timings: 7 AM – 8 PM
Entry Fees: ₹35 for Indians and ₹550 for Foreigners

2. Mehrauli Archaeological Park

Mehrauli Archaeological Park comprises over a 100 historically valuable monuments.

Photo: Slyronit / Wikimedia Commons

Mehrauli Archaeological Park is an archaeological area that spans over a size of 200 acres in the neighbourhood of South Delhi named Mehrauli, adjacent to the Qutub Minar. It comprises over a 100 historically valuable monuments. Mehrauli Archaeological Park accounts for numerous heritage monuments, including the remains of the Old Delhii, the capital of the Tomar rulers during the 11th century.

Timings: 5 AM – 6:30 PM
Entry Fees: Free

3. Red Fort

Red Fort showcases a perfect blend of Islamic, Persian, Timurid and Hindu methods and styles.

Photo: A.Savin / Wikimedia Commons

Red Fort is the most popular Mughal fort in Old Delhi. It was built by emperor Shah Jahan in the middle of the 17th century and still stands as a major tourist hotspot. The fort was declared to be a UNESCO World Heritage site in the year 2007. The architecture of the fort showcases a perfect blend of Islamic, Persian, Timurid and Hindu methods and styles. The major attractions inside the fort complex are the Diwan-i-khas, also called the Shah Mahal, the Diwan-i-aam or the Hall of Public Audience and Rang Mahal, also known as Imtiyaz Mahal.

Timings: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Entry Fees: ₹35 for Indians and ₹550 for Foreigners

4. Parathe Wali Gali

Paranthe wali gali is a popular street in Delhi, India for eating Parathas.

Photo: Ravi Dwivedi / Wikimedia Commons

Gali Parathe Wali or Parathe wali Gali, is a narrow street inside the Chandni Chowk area of Delhi. It is eminent for its array of shops selling paratha, a household flatbread in India. Paranthe Wali Gali is situated in Chandni Chowk, which was opened in 1650 during the rule of the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan. It is known to have been designed by his eldest daughter, Jahanara Begum. Earlier, this lane was famous only for its silverware stores before the Paratha shops began working in the 1870s, though many traditional clothing and jewellery shops from earlier are still in operation.

Timings: 9 AM – 11 PM
Entry Fees: Free

5. Indian Air Force Museum

Indian Air Force Museum showcases details about battle operations by the air force.

Photo: Aeroprints.com / Wikimedia Commons

The Indian Air Force Museum of Palam, is the museum of the Indian Air Force (IAF), and is situated at the Palam Air Force Station in Delhi Cantonment. It was founded in 1967 and showcases details about battle operations by the air force portraying its history. Also on exhibition are the numerous aircraft and machinery on the IAF’s inventory since the beginning. The museum gate features an indoor gallery that houses historic photographs, archives, uniforms and war weapons of the Indian Air Force since 1932. The gallery further leads to a diorama of a small aircraft along with the Air Force inventory that included anti-aircraft guns and vehicles.

Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fees: Free

Where To Stay

You have options to stay in comfortable hotels with amazing facilities during your trip to Alai Fort.

Photo: sharmahouse / Wikimedia Commons

Since Delhi is a much admired tourist destination, there are a number of hotels to choose from in the city. FabHotel Prime Sage, StayVista at Indraj Manor and The Grand Orion are some nice hotel options to explore near Alai Fort. These provide great facilities with comfortable rooms and some of them render amazing views too.

Where To Eat

Try chole bhature, a signature food in Delhi to add to your culinary experiences.

Photo: Aleemk72 / Wikimedia Commons

The Qutub Tiffin, Diablo, Govardhan Heritage, Soho Bistro & Cafe are some lovely cafes and restaurants that are quite popular among the tourists and locals here. You can find a plethora of cuisines in these places to select from to add to your culinary experiences.

Best Time To Visit

Photo: Billjones94 / Wikimedia Commons

One can plan to visit Alai Darwaza in the winter months from October to March as Delhi experiences pleasant weather during this time. One can also visit the nearby attractions such as Qutub Minar, Alai Minar and Iron Pillar in the evening. Alai Fort timings are 6.30 AM to 6.30 PM.

Other Factors To Consider

Vehicle going towards Alai Fort to explore the historical tourist attraction.

Photo: Dino Reichmuth / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Average Cost Of The Trip

The entry fee for Alai Fort is ₹30 for Indians and ₹500 for foreigners. So depending on your mode of travelling, the average cost of your trip would be around ₹400 – ₹500.

Tips For Travellers

Qutub Minar, Alai Minar and Alai Darwaza can be explored together in a single trip.
Be mindful while clicking Alai Fort pictures.

Delhi is a cultural melting point and that is why tourists love to visit it again and again. Alai Fort is a mirror displaying the rich historical heritage related to this majestic city. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and embark on a visit to this fort. Plan your next trip to Delhi with TripXL and embrace the cultural heritage.

Cover Photo: stevekc / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the history of Alai Fort?

The Alai Darwaza was constructed by Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khalji in 1311. He had planned it well and wanted to extend the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque on its four sides. Although he planned to build the four gates, only the Alai Darwaza could be finished as he died in 1316.

How old is Alai Fort?

Alai Fort in Delhi was built in the year 1311 and is more than 500 years old. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What was the purpose of building Alai Fort?

Its aim was to indicate the power and strength of the ruler and to commemorate his battle victories. The location of Alai Minar is a symbol of the rich history of historic India and the numerous dynasties that have reigned here.

Who was Alauddin Khilji?

Alauddin Khilji’s name at birth was Ali Gurshasp. He grew to become the emperor of the Khilji dynasty that reigned over the Delhi Sultanate of the Indian subcontinent. Alauddin carried out many significant and insignificant administrative changes in India in the fields of revenue, prices and society.

What is the local food which can be enjoyed in Delhi?

The top street food of Delhi to try out is mostly lassi, kebab, cholebhature, jalebis, falooda, samosa, kulfi, etc. However, the iconic dish of Delhi is biryani served in mitti pots. Delhi streets are brimming with stalls that sell refreshing drinks.

Alai Fort: An Ultimate Guide To Explore History And Legacy