Hauz Khas
To provide a steady supply of water to Siri, the second city of Delhi, its founder Sultan Ala-ud-din Khilji (1296-1316), excavated a large tank in 1300. Located to the east of Siri, the tank was known as Hauz-i-Alai. Later, Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351-88) repaired the tank and built several imposing monuments on the eastern and southern banks of the tank that included his tomb, mosque and a madrasa (college). Thus the place came to be known as Hauz Khas, meaning the royal tank. At present the area around the monuments is also known by the same name and is one of the most prestigious localities of the capital, housing residential areas and elite shopping centers. This is the same place where Timur Lane encamped in 1398 after defeating Mahmud Tughlaq.

Built on a L-shaped plan, the main monument in the complex is the tomb of Firoz Shah with the entrance on the southern side. It is a domed, rubble-built plastered square tomb with high walls attached to a courtyard. Beautifully decorated with Quranic inscriptions and plasterwork, the tomb reflects the amalgamation of the styles of Indo-Islamic architecture. An inscription over the southern gateway informs visitors that the tomb was repaired during Sikander Lodi's reign.

Adjacent and to the west of the tomb is the madrasa for religious training, built in 1352. It is a double-storeyed structure with long pillared halls and small cells and a mosque in its northern direction. There are also several staircases leading from the madrasa down to the tank, now encircled by paved pathways. Apart from these monuments, there are many structures situated in the complex but their exact use is not known and one can only appreciate their architectural beauty while relaxing in the garden of the complex.

The not-to-be-missed feature of the area is the cosmopolitan Hauz Khas village. Here you will find many boutiques that display the clothing lines of well-known Indian designers. There are also exclusive antique and curio stores and popular restaurants, all in a so-called rural atmosphere