Dating from the 3rd-century-BC reign of the Buddhist emperor Ashoka, the pillar was brought here by Feroz Shah, and is incredibly well preserved.

Transportation

  • metro: Kashmere Gate

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Mutiny Memorial

0.07 MILES

Erected in 1863, this red sandstone gothic tower was built by the British to commemorate the Indian and British soldiers who died in British service…

2. Nicholson Cemetery

0.89 MILES

Close to Kashmere Gate, this forgotten cemetery is the last resting place for hundreds of Delhi’s colonial-era residents, many of whom perished in…

3. Kashmere Gate

1.18 MILES

This northernmost gate (leading to Kashmir) was the largest of all the entrances to the walled city. It was only built in the 19th century, and was…

4. Fatehpuri Masjid

1.35 MILES

Built by Fatehpuri Begum, one of Shah Jahan’s wives, this 17th-century mosque is a haven of tranquillity after the frantic streets outside. The central…

5. Delhi Public Library

1.45 MILES

Established in 1951, Delhi's library is open to all those with proof of residency, and has 1.6 million books in various languages.

6. Town Hall

1.49 MILES

Built in 1864, Delhi's Town Hall originally housed a library, the European Club and the Lawrence Institute. There was once a statue of Queen Victoria in…

7. Chandni Chowk

1.76 MILES

Old Delhi’s main drag is lined by Jain, Hindu and Sikh temples, plus a church, with the Fatehpuri Masjid at one end. Tree-lined and elegant in Mughal…

8. Sisganj Gurdwara

1.77 MILES

The icing-sugar-white 18th-century Sisganj Gurdwara marks the martrydom site of the ninth Sikh guru, Tegh Bahadur, executed by Aurangzeb in 1675 for…

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