Under $100: New Delhi

Red Fort, Delhi, India © Martin Brayley | Dreamstime

While Mumbai is making a name for itself as the more cosmopolitan destination of India, New Delhi is renowned for its history as the country’s capital. Withabout 6,000 Indian Rupees, here are a few historic places you can visit for the day.

For architecture enthusiasts, the Red Fort is a fantastic destination for learning about Mughal design. Shah Jahan, who also built the Taj Mahal and several other architectural wonders around India, commissioned the fort in 1638. The site was the official residence for the Mughal Emperor for almost two centuries, in addition to serving as the political and cultural center of India. The massive red sandstone walls now enclose numerous museums, gardens and artworks. Entrance is 250 INR.

Qutb Minar, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Delhi, India © Steve Allen | Dreamstime

If you’re in the mood for more architectural wonders, be sure to see the Qutb Minar, a 238-foot-high sandstone-and-marble tower that took almost two centuries to complete in 1368. Various carvings and inscriptions through the different sections reveal the tower’s construction and repair history through the years, often depicting verses from the Qur’an. Qutb Minar is surrounded by several other medieval and ancient structures that make up the Qutb complex. One such structure to check out is the Iron Pillar, a seven-meter column that has become a metallurgical curiosity due to its resistance to rust over the centuries, a testament to the iron-working skills of Indian blacksmiths. The original date of construction and location is disputed, ranging from 910 BCE to 400 CE. Entrance to the Qutb complex is 250 INR.

Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, India © Jorg Hackemann | Dreamstime

Jantar Mantar is a complex of 13 astronomical instruments built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur.The site was completed in 1724, with structures designed to track celestial bodies with incredible accuracy. The Misra Yantra, for example, was capable of determining the shortest and longest days of the year, in addition to identifying the exact moment of noon in cities around the world. Jantar Mantar’s largest structure is the Samrat Yantra, or the Supreme Instrument. The 70-foot-high staircase is actually a large triangle sundial, which can tell the time down to the exact second. Entrance is 100 INR, and if you are traveling around the country, Jay Singh II had multiple sites commissioned in cities across India.