Mughal Architecture in Delhi: Exploring Forts, Tombs and Mosques!

Today, we’ll explore Mughal architecture in Delhi by visiting the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, and Jama Masjid.

During my third year of university, I signed up for a course titled Islamic Art and Architecture for one of my electives. I was travelling in Argentina at the time my enrolment window opened, and I remember sitting in a hostel in Cordoba battling a slow internet connection while I tried to figure out what classes still had seats remaining.

There were a few different courses I was considering and not being the most assertive decision-maker, I turned to my friend Rebecca and asked her which one she thought I should go for. Being the art major and talented visual artist that she is, she suggested the art course.

I signed up.

That course ended up being one of my favourites of the year. It sparked my slight obsession with Central Asia (Uzbekistan is still a dream destination of mine!) and it also taught me to decipher the subtle meaning behind buildings which is often hidden in plain sight.

One period that we covered extensively in that course was that of the Mughals, an empire that ruled the Indian subcontinent from the early 16th century to the early 18th century and left a wealth of structures scattered across the land. Coming to Delhi, India those exquisite structures that I had once marvelled at on the pages of my textbook finally came to life.

Must-Visit Landmarks in Delhi: Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, and Jama Masjid

Red Fort

My first stop in Delhi was the Red Fort. We purposely booked a hotel within walking distance and on our first morning there Sam, his parents and I were out the door and on our way soon after sun-up.

The Red Fort was the main residence of the Mughals for almost 200 years and though it may be called a fort, this place is more like a walled city. After the Mughals moved their capital from Agra to Delhi, this became their primary residence and inside you can find a bazar, a mosque, various courts and pavilions, as well as imposing red sandstone gates that will make you feel tiny.

The whole place is beautiful, but the one structure that took my breath away was the Lahori Gate, named so because it faces towards Lahore, Pakistan. The gate is a giant mass of red sandstone, and the arch carries your eyes all the way up until you reach a roof pavilion, which I sadly couldn’t fit into one picture. Imagine setting foot through those gates several centuries back and finding yourself in the heart of a bustling bazaar!

Humayun’s Tomb

Our second day in Delhi was reserved for the place I had been most looking forward to Humayun’s Tomb – a name that had been uttered in class at least a thousand times.

The tomb was commissioned by Humayun’s first wife, Empress Bega Begum, who deeply mourned his passing and consequently dedicated her life to building the most beautiful mausoleum to keep his memory alive. I think she did a pretty good job because, for me, this was the most beautiful building I saw in Delhi. When the sunlight hits the red sandstone it just glows, and then once you get up close and see all the intricate details on the facade, you can appreciate its beauty all over again.

Humayun’s Tomb was the first garden-tomb of its kind in India and it also provided the inspiration for the Taj Mahal which would be built many decades later, so if you’re heading to Agra this is a nice little sneak peek at what’s to come!

Jama Masjid

Lastly, on our third and final morning in Delhi, we went to Jama Masjid which is the largest mosque in India. We had attempted a visit the previous day, but we arrived just as they were closing for noon prayers, so we only got a quick glimpse of the exterior. Not this time!

After leaving our shoes at the door, we climbed the southern minaret for views of Old Delhi. While I’m not sure I would repeat the experience (it is a very narrow staircase with people competing to go up and down, plus once you reach the top there’s only a tiny platform to stand on – hello vertigo!), I did enjoy wandering the rest of the grounds.

Inside the prayer hall you’ll find white marble floors with black inlays that outline individual places for each prayer mat, the walls are decorated with sweeping arabesques, and you have an enormous crystal chandelier in the centre of the hall.

That was my grand introduction to Delhi: three days, three Mughal structures, and enough sandstone to leave me seeing red in the city.

As I write this I’m sitting in a homestay in Agra where the rooms are full of books and artefacts from around the world and you wouldn’t believe what I spotted. On a wooden coffee table with carved elephant figures lay the very same 600+ page title, Islam: Art and Architecture, which first introduced me to these buildings. I had to pick it up, flip through the pages, and laugh at the serendipity of it all.

Plan Your Own Mughal Delhi Day (Routes, Tips, Photo Ideas & Handy Checklists)

How to Order Your Day (or Three!)

You can absolutely see the “big three” in a single (ambitious) day, but if you love lingering, factor in two or three easy days. Mughal spaces reveal more the longer you let your eyes wander.

Option A: One Perfect Day (Sunrise to Sunset)

• Sunrise at Humayun’s Tomb
  Arrive right as the gates open. The red sandstone glows, the gardens are quiet, and the symmetry is pure therapy. Bring water and breathe.
• Late morning at Jama Masjid
  Reach Old Delhi before lunch. Explore the courtyard and prayer hall, then amble through the lanes for a snack (details below). Avoid the noonday closure for prayers by checking posted times at the gate.
• Late afternoon at the Red Fort
  Let the heat mellow. The soft, angled light makes arches and jali screens sing. If you’re a museum person, allow extra time for the galleries inside the complex.

Why this order? You get the best light at Humayun’s Tomb, dodge the hottest hours in Old Delhi, and end with sprawling fort views as the day cools.

Option B: Two Gentle Days (My Favorite)

• Day 1: Humayun’s Tomb + nearby add-ons (Nizamuddin Basti lanes, Sunder Nursery gardens)
• Day 2: Jama Masjid + Old Delhi eats in the morning, Red Fort in the late afternoon

Option C: Three Days (For Slow Travelers & Architecture Nerds)

• Day 1: Humayun’s Tomb complex (explore the satellite tombs too), late lunch, bookshop browse
• Day 2: Jama Masjid + Old Delhi food crawl + heritage walk
• Day 3: Red Fort + museums, then a sunset rickshaw ride along the walls

Reading the Buildings (A Friendly Field Guide)

The Big Three Signatures

• Symmetry & Axial Planning
  Stand at center lines (doors, domes, garden paths). Notice how everything balances left–right and front–back.
• Red Sandstone + White Marble
  A cherished contrast: earthy warmth meets luminous cool. From afar it’s bold graphics; up close it’s delicate inlay.
• The Charbagh (Four-Part Garden)
  Especially at Humayun’s Tomb: water channels and paths divide the garden into four, nodding to paradise imagery.

Details to Spot (Make it a game!)

• Jali screens: Stone lacework casting patterned shadows (seek them in pavilions).
• Lotus & cypress motifs: Floral carvings that mingle Persian and Indian sensibilities.
• Calligraphy bands: Qur’anic verses in elegant scripts tracing portals.
• Cusped arches: Those soft scallops that feel almost like ripples in stone.
• Chhatris: The little domed kiosks punctuating rooflines (cuter than they sound).
• Pietra dura: Colored stone inlay forming flowers and vines on white marble panels.

Practicalities: Tickets, Timing, Dress & Getting Around

Opening Hours & Closures

• Humayun’s Tomb: Mornings are glorious; mid-days can be hot.
• Jama Masjid: The mosque remains open except during prayer times (especially midday) when visitors are asked to wait outside.
• Red Fort: Afternoons to sunset offer kinder light and smaller tour groups.

What to Wear

• Respectful clothing is appreciated everywhere; it’s required inside the mosque.
  • Shoulders and knees covered.
  • Carry a light scarf (handy for head covering at Jama Masjid).
  • Slip-on shoes or sandals you can remove easily (you’ll leave shoes before entering the prayer hall; socks help when the ground is hot or chilly).

Bags & Security

• Expect standard security checks at fort and tomb entrances.
• Pack light: water, hat, sunscreen, a small power bank, and tissues/hand sanitizer.

Getting Around (Simple & Sane)

• Metro: Fast, reliable. Pair with short rickshaw rides.
• Auto-rickshaw: Perfect for the hops between sites; agree on fare or use the meter.
• Ride-hailing apps: Easy for longer rides or if you’re tired of negotiating.

Eat Nearby (Because Admiring Arches Builds an Appetite)

• Near Humayun’s Tomb:
  • Sunder Nursery café for a calm, leafy brunch if you pair the gardens with your visit.
  • Small bakeries and tea stalls in Nizamuddin Basti—go with curiosity and a smile.
• Old Delhi around Jama Masjid:
  • Seekh kebabs, nihari, jalebi, kulfi in lanes just beyond the mosque (look for busy, well-established shops).
  • Early mornings and evenings are the tastiest times; midday heat saps the joy.
• Red Fort side:
  • Snack, then consider a sit-down meal away from the crowds (grab a taxi/auto to a favorite café in the newer parts of town).

Stomach-kind tip: Bottled or filtered water, freshly cooked foods, and clean, high-turnover spots are your friends.

A Simple Comparison (Plan at a Glance)

Pack This (Mughal Day Checklist)

Absolute essentials

• ☐ Water (refillable bottle)
• ☐ Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
• ☐ Light scarf (multipurpose: sun, dust, head covering)
• ☐ Comfortable, respectful clothing + easy-on/off shoes
• ☐ Tissues & hand sanitizer
• ☐ Small power bank + cable
• ☐ Cash for small purchases, tips, rickshaws

Nice to have

• ☐ Foldable fan or cooling towel (Delhi knows heat)
• ☐ Mini first-aid (band-aid, ibuprofen, rehydration salts)
• ☐ Notebook (you’ll want to jot motifs and impressions)

Common Mistakes (And How to Dodge Them)

• Racing the sites: Slow down. You’ll notice more (and enjoy more).
• Arriving at Jama Masjid during prayers: Check the posted times and plan a snack break nearby.
• Underestimating heat: Hydrate regularly and chase shade.
• Forgetting a scarf: It’s the single most useful square of fabric on the subcontinent.
• Shooting into harsh noon sun: Embrace mornings and late afternoons; your photos (and forehead) will thank you.

Mini-Glossary

• Charbagh: Four-part garden plan.
• Chhatri: Small domed pavilion/kiosk (adorable rooftop punctuation).
• Jali: Ornamental perforated stone screen.
• Pietra dura: Stone inlay decoration in marble.
• Iwan: Vaulted hall or portal with an arched opening.
• Mihrab/Minbar: Niche indicating direction of prayer / pulpit in a mosque.

Have you checked out the Mughal architecture in Delhi?

Check out our Delhi City Guide Travel Video below!