Hauz Khas Village in Hauz Khas, South Dilli is an ultramodern village with interesting medieval history which dates back to the 13th century of Dilli Sultanate reign. It was part of Siri, the second medieval city of India of the Dilli Sultanate of Allauddin Khilji Dynasty (1296–1316). The name Hauz Khas in Urdu language is derived from the words ‘Hauz’ which means “water tank” (or lake) and ‘Khas’ which means “royal”- the “Royal tank”. The area houses a water tank, an Islāmic seminary, a mosque, a tomb and pavilions built around. The large water tank or reservoir was first built by Khilji at the site to supply water to the inhabitants of Siri. The tank was de–silted during the reign of Firuz Shah Tughlaq (1351–88). Several buildings (Mosque and madrasa) and tombs were built overlooking the water tank or lake.
During the 80’s, the Hauz Khas Village, studded with domed tombs of Muslim royalty from the 14th to 16th centuries, was developed as an upper class residential cum commercial area in the metropolis of South Dilli, India. It is now a relatively expensive tourist cum commercial area with many art galleries, upscale boutiques and restaurants.
The Hauz Khas lake had gone dry sometime back and has been revived recently, the surrounding park has also been actively developed and the developments include the pavement area where people walk and jog around. Today the so called royal lake and the surrounding place is the most beautiful place in Dilli to visit, but the environment there is not worth visiting with family because it has turned into just another lovers’ park.
The village structure that gloriously existed in the medieval period was modernized in mid 1980’s presenting an upscale ambience attracting tourists from all parts of the world.The village complex is surrounded by Safdarjung Enclave, Green Park, South Extension, Greater Kailash. There are some of the India’s most prestigious institutes in the neighbourhood including Indian Institute of Technology, Dilli, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, National Institute of Fashion Technology, and All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
Hauz Khas is close to Green Park and Safdarjung Development Area and is well connected by road and Dilli Metro to all city centers. A light and sound show narrating the historicity of the complex is organized by the Tourism Department in the evenings. The complex is open for visitors all days of the week from 10 AM to 6 PM and there is no entry fee. The Deer Park at the entry to the tank is a beautifully landscaped lush green park. The Ministry of Tourism of Government of India is in the process of setting up India’s first night bazaar at Hauz Khas to be called the “Eco Night Bazaar”. The aim is to give organically grown food-grains, seeds of rare plants, handmade paper products and a safe place to watch cultural festivals.
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