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Thearchitecture of Delhi dates back more than a thousand years. As the capital of several empires of India, including theRajput kingdom,Delhi Sultanate,Mughal Empire, andBritish Raj, the city of Delhi has been a centre for art and architecture.

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  Agrasen ki Baoli
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  Qila Rai Pithora

The few surviving structures from before theDelhi Sultanate period includeAgrasen ki Baoli,Surajkund reservoir,Lal Kot andQila Rai Pithora. There were several temples built during this period, remnants of which are still present inQutb complex. These were built by the Tomaras and Chahamans (Chauhans) Rajput dynasties.^[1][2][3][4]

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  TheQutub Minar is the world's tallest brickminaret at 72.5 metres, built byQutb-ud-din Aibak of theSlave dynasty in 1192 CE.^[5]
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  Alauddin Khilji'smadrasa and Tomb in theQutb complex.
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  Tomb of Ghiyasuddin Tughluq within theTughlaqabad Fort.
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  Jahaz Mahal is built during the Lodi dynasty period (1452–1526) as a pleasure resort.
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  Shish Gumbad in Lodhi garden, New Delhi

TheDelhi Sultanate ruled the city between 1206 and 1526. Their rule saw the development of earlyIndo-Islamic architecture, the most prominent being theQutb Minar complex, a group of monuments surrounding theQutb Minar. This period also saw building of many forts and cities likeSiri Fort,Tughlaqabad andFeroz Shah Kotla. Many tombs were built around this period which are still present in many locations like Qutb Minar complex,Hauz Khas Complex andLodi Gardens.

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  TheRed Fort was commissioned by Mughal EmperorShah Jahan in the 17th century, it was the main residence of theMughal emperors for nearly 200 years.^[6]
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  Diwan-i-Am (Red Fort)
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  Humayun's Tomb is considered a predecessor to theTaj Mahal.^[7]
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  TheJama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India.
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  Safdarjung's Tomb was built in 1754 in thelate Mughal architectural style for NawabSafdarjung.

Mughal Architecture emerged as a form ofIndo-Islamic architecture during the rule of theMughal Empire. Mughal architecture is characterized by large bulbousonion domes, the use of white marble and red sandstone, delicate ornamentation work, and large buildings surrounded bygardens on all four sides.

TheHumayun's Tomb is the first notable example of Mughal architecture in Delhi. Except for a few architectures like Humayun's Tomb andPurana Qila, most of the architectural work of this period was done inShah Jahan's time or later. This period also saw building of 18th century Astronomical Observatory calledJantar Mantar.

Another important achievement of this period was building ofMughal gardens. Its design was inspired by Persian Char Bagh Gardens. Some gardens built during Mughal period are garden built in front of Humayun's Tomb,Roshanara Bagh,Qudsia Bagh and Garden built inSafdarjang's tomb complex.

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  St. James' Church was designed in theRenaissance Revival style and completed in 1836. It is situated on acruciform plan and consists ofneoclassical styleporticoes, with abaroque dome in the center.
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  TheIndia Gate is atriumphal arch and war memorial in the middle of New Delhi. It was designed byEdwin Lutyens and completed in 1921.
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  TheSecretariat Building was designed byHerbert Baker and completed in 1927.
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  TheRashtrapati Bhawan was the residence of theBritish Viceroy, and now serves as the residence of thePresident of India. It was designed byEdwin Lutyens and completed in 1929.
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  Connaught Place was designed in theGeorgian style byRobert Tor Russell, and completed in 1933.

After Delhi was declared the site for a new capital of India,George V laid the foundation ofNew Delhi, which would serve as the capital. The British invitedEdwin Lutyens andHerbert Baker to design the government buildings. This area would also be calledLutyens' Delhi in honor of the architect. Members of Lutyens' team of architects includedWalter Sykes George,Arthur Gordon Shoosmith andHenry Medd. It is reported that Lutyens was reluctant to incorporate Indian features in his style, but later conceded.

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  TheSupreme Court of India was designed byGanesh Bhikaji Deoalikar and completed in 1958. Its style was inspired by theLutyens-Baker buildings.
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  TheHall of Nations, designed byRaj Rewal and completed in 1972 was regarded as one of the best examples ofmodernist architecture in India. It was demolished in 2017, despite several protests.
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  TheNew Delhi Municipal Council Building was designed in thebrutalist style by Kuldip Singh, and completed in 1984.
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  TheLotus Temple was designed byFaribohrz Sahba and completed in 1986. Its design was inspired by the shape of alotus.^[8]

TheSupreme Court of India was designed byGanesh Bhikaji Deolalikar in the same style as that of the other major buildings inLutyens' Delhi. However, modernist architecture became prevalent in Delhi as well as all over India, especially after the influence ofLe Corbusier.^[9]

After Independence, the best examples of modern architecture in Delhi includeIIT Delhi (1961) byJugal Kishore Chodhury,Hall of Nations (1972) andAsian Games Village (1982) byRaj Rewal,Palika Kendra building (1984) byKuldip Singh, andLotus Temple (1986) byFariborhz Sahba.

In 2017, the demolition of theHall of Nations received worldwide condemnation from architectural enthusiasts. It was considered to be one of the best examples ofmodernist architecture in India.^[10]

• Delhi
• Architecture in India by city

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