A walk through the bylanes of Hauz Khaz Village

For most Delhites, Hauz Khas conjures up images of trendy cafes, rooftop bars, boutique stores and boho vibes. But scratch beneath the surface — a stroll through the deer park and the quiet lanes of Hauz Khas village reveals a layered past. Forgotten tombs, crumbling mosques and eerie towers with bloody legends tell a tale of executions, ascetics, scholars and sultans. Tucked away in green havens and offbeat lanes they offer glimpses of architectural transition from utilitarian Tughlaq forms to ornate Lodi designs and an ideal exploration for history buffs and wanderers.

Just off Aurobindo Marg, in a quiet residential lane lies a cylindrical sandstone, ‘tower of thieves’, built during Alauddin Khilji’s reign in the 13th Century dotted with 225 small holes. Legend has it that the holes once held the severed heads of convicted thieves, rebels and enemies, mounted as a warning to all who dared to defy the sultan.