Indo Islamic Heritage
Gandhak Ki Bawli in Mehrauli is well-connected by public transport. The nearest metro station is Qutub Minar (Yellow Line), about 2–3 km away. Mehrauli Bus Terminal is the closest bus stop, just a 2–3 minute walk from the site, with several DTC routes available. The New Delhi Railway Station is around 16–18 km away, while the Indira Gandhi International Airport is approximately 13–17 km from the baoli. Auto-rickshaws and local buses make the site easily accessible from these transport points.
Gandhak Ki Baoli is a historic stepwell located in the Mehrauli Village Complex in South Delhi, just about 100 meters from the Tomb of Adham Khan. The name 'Gandhak' refers to sulfur, as the water in the well was known for its sulfuric smell, and 'Baoli' means a stepwell. It was constructed during the reign of Emperor Iltutmish, the founder of the Slave Dynasty and the third Turkic ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, who ruled from 1211 to 1236. Among his significant architectural contributions, Iltutmish also built the 'Hauz-i-Shamsi' reservoir in 1230 AD and the tomb of his eldest son, Prince Nasir-ud-din Mahmud, known as Sultan Ghari, in 1231 AD — the first Islamic tomb in Delhi. Gandhak Ki Baoli was constructed by Iltutmish in honor of the revered Sufi saint Khwaja Sayed Muhammad Qutb-ud-din Bakhtiar Kaki, whose spiritual teachings greatly influenced the Sultan. The baoli features a grand five-tiered design with a circular well on its southern side, which was once a popular spot for swimming and diving among the locals.
Year of Built: 12th - 13th Century
Address: near water tank firdausi masjid, Ward No 8, Mehrauli Village, Mehrauli, New Delhi, Delhi
Country: India
State: Delhi
District: South Delhi
Pincode: 110030
Longitude: 77°10'53.98"
Latitude: 28°31'15.20"N