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Mehrauli Archaeological Park Conservation
The area of Mehrauli is probably the oldest continuously inhabited area of the city. As such it contains the architectural legacy of many centuries. Lal Kot, the first fortification of the city of Delhi, was established by the Tomar Rajputs in the Mehrauli area in AD 1060. The Chauhans extended this by adding the fortifications of Qila Rai Pithora, and after them the Il-Bari Turks continued to rule from this location. Though later capital cities were built at other sites, this area was not abandoned and many important buildings continued to be located here during successive dynasties - the Khaljis, Tughlaqs, Lodis, Mughals, and the British.  
  Over 300 listed buildings of archaeological, architectural and historical significance dot the Mehrauli area with over 100 of these standing in the green belt south of the Qutub World Heritage Site and many more are still to be uncovered. The Delhi Chapter advocated the conservation of this area as a whole for several years. It measures about 100 acres and the Master Plan of Delhi, 2021, now refers to it as the Mehrauli Archaeological Park. It has buildings from practically each period of Delhi’s history. Some of them are well known such as the historic mos -
que of Jamali Kamali and the step-well known as Rajon Ki Baoli, both protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. Others remain unprotected and have received attention only recently.
The Mehrauli Archaeological Park could compare with any archaeological site worldwide for its rich concentration of a diverse range of architectural heritage in a landscaped setting. It is in close proximity to the Qutub Minar complex, and has the potential to draw thousands of visitors daily. Besides being a major heritage attraction, the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, afforested in the 1970’s, is also a significant ecological resource for south Delhi. The park boasts of a number of animal and floral species; Nilgai, Fox, Peacocks, and several species of birds can be spotted here.
At the onset of the project of listing heritage buildings in Delhi, the Delhi Chapter actively strove to conserve the large number of unprotected heritage buildings in the area. Funding was sought to undertake conservation work beginning in 1997, with Delhi Tourism.
  They have funded the conservation of 42 monuments, which have been conserved in six phases. In no small measure this initiative resulted in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park being designated an ‘archaeological park’ in the Delhi Master Plan 2021. The conservation work was difficult. Several encroachments had to be removed and the park boundary fenced. A proposal for Phase VII of conservation work has been prepared and submitted to Delhi Tourism. Phase VII is envisaged as the culmination of the previous phases of conservation works and is expected to take into account the remaining unprotected buildings within the park that have not yet benefited from conservation.
 
To order copies of the project reports ( Phase I - VI except phase II ) complete the form (click here)
 
 
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